Welcome to CODES
SIUE offers a select group of students the opportunity to work in small research teams with a faculty member and a community organization to consider how the world's vital issues impact communities near SIUE. These CODE Scholars enter college with a supportive network of peers and mentors.
And it comes with free tuition for up to 18 hours a semester for four years!
Working alongside the Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis Art Place Initiative, The City of Alton, and Heartlands Conservancy, CODE Scholars have tackled educational equity, systemic violence, and a growing loss of biodiversity along the Mississippi River.
CODE Scholars address the challenges of today while gaining an education that prepares them for tomorrow! Along the way, they develop skills that are sought after by employers and learn from experiences that uniquely prepare them for their chosen careers.
CODES is a selective program designed for students who are:
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- Among the first generation in their family to attend college; or historically underrepresented in their major; or determined to be Pell-eligible based on the FAFSA or IL RISE Application.
- Interested in research and active learning
- Committed to the community and ready to take action
Full Tuition Award
- The CODES Scholarship is valued at full undergraduate tuition for up to 18 credit hours per semester. The SIUE CODES Scholarship supersedes all other SIUE scholarships of equal or lesser value and cannot be combined with those awards. Terms and conditions of the scholarship may change for future cohorts.
- Should the crediting of the scholarship in combination with other financial aid result in excess funds on the student’s account, the excess may be refunded to the student for other educational expenses.
- CODE Scholars must be enrolled full time in a bachelor’s program, remain in good standing in the CODES program, and maintain an overall GPA of 2.5.
- The CODES program is designed primarily for students who are traditional first-year students. Students entering accelerated programs like Pharmacy or Pre-Dental may have difficulty completing their program due to course load.
- Award is valid for eight semesters
To see the full Scholarship Terms and Conditions, visit the Financial Aid website.
CODES is a first-of-its kind program, proudly supported by the Mellon Foundation and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Learn about our most recent grant from the Mellon Foundation on SIUE News.


