INDIANA
SCHOLARSHIPS GUIDE

Indiana Scholarships Guide

There are many options for students across Indiana to help make college more affordable. One way to receive money to pay for college is through scholarships. Scholarships are an amazing option for students because they provide free money that you don’t have to pay back.

WHERE CAN I FIND

SCHOLARSHIPS
FOR INDIANA STUDENTS?

There are so many different resources that you can use to find scholarships to help you pay for school. Scholarships can originate from the government, colleges or universities and/or private organizations.

Your teachers and school counselor can direct you to some scholarships. It is also important to file the FAFSA to see what scholarships from the government you qualify for. The colleges you apply to could also have scholarships available for students who attend that institution so it’s always worthwhile to reach out to the financial aid office of schools in which you are interested.

You can also search for ways to get scholarships yourself using online searches, like the ones below:

For more resources, visit the Indiana Commission for Higher Education website.

Once you’ve earned your scholarships, you’ll have to meet requirements to keep them. It can be easy to forget about that, but it’s important because losing a scholarship could cut your college career short. Check out our study tips for ways to make sure you’re keeping your scholarships.

WHICH INDIANA

SCHOLARSHIPS
ARE AVAILABLE?

There are lots of scholarship programs available just for Hoosier students. Each has its own requirements, but you should apply for all that you’re eligible for. That way, you can be sure to get the maximum amount of scholarship assistance to help pay for college.

21st Century Scholars Program

The 21st Century Scholars program offers income-eligible Hoosier students up to four years of paid tuition at an eligible Indiana college or university after they graduate from high school.

Students enroll in seventh or eighth grade. In high school they participate in the Scholar Success Program and are connected to programs and resources to help them prepare for college and career success. Once in college, Scholars receive support to complete their college degrees and connect to career opportunities.

Adult Student Grant

The Adult Student Grant is part of Indiana’s You Can. Go Back. Program.

It is a renewable $2,000 grant to assist returning students in starting or completing an associate degree, bachelor’s degree or certificate.

To qualify, students must be financially independent as determined by the FAFSA, demonstrate financial need and be enrolled in at least six credit hours.

EARN Indiana

EARN (Employment Aid Readiness Network) Indiana is the state’s work-study program. Students in the program can receive state matching funds of up to 50% of their hourly wage. This program also partners with Work + Learn Indiana to match students and employers.

Frank O’Bannon Grant

The Frank O’Bannon Grant provides Hoosier students with the funds they need to attend eligible public, private or proprietary postsecondary institutions. The grant is based on financial need as determined by the FAFSA and can be used for tuition and regularly assessed fees.

Mitch Daniels Early Graduation Scholarship

The Mitch Daniels Early Graduation Scholarship is a one-time $4,000 scholarship for students who graduate from a publicly supported high school at least one year early. The scholarship may be used toward tuition and fees and any remaining funds shall be remitted to the student. This scholarship may not be used for remedial coursework.

The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program

The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program is designed to help raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana, increase awareness of the beneficial roles Indiana community foundations can play in their communities and encourage efforts of Lilly Endowment Community Scholars to engage with each other and with state leaders to improve quality of life in Indiana.

Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship

The Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship provides 200 high-achieving high school and college students pursuing a career in education the opportunity to earn a renewable scholarship of up to $7,500 each year for four academic years.

In exchange, students agree to teach for five years at an eligible Indiana school or repay the corresponding, prorated amount of the scholarship.

Student Teaching Stipend for High-Needs Fields

The Student Teaching Stipend for High-Need Fields is a scholarship for students who intend to teach in a “high-need” area. The Commission for Higher Education classifies “high-need” as special education, middle or high school level mathematics, or science.

The maximum amount a student may receive is $4,000. The scholarship amount may vary year to year based on the appropriation amount and the number of applicants. Scholarships will be disbursed from the student’s college financial aid office.

William A. Crawford Minority Teacher Scholarship

The Indiana Commission for Higher Education provides scholarships for minority students (defined as Black and Hispanic and Latinx people) who want to teach in an accredited institution in Indiana after graduation. The student must agree in writing to work in teaching positions in Indiana and, if employed, serve there for at least three years.

The scholarship may be renewed for additional academic years if a minority student (who qualified for the scholarship previously) reapplies for the award each year and maintains a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale or the equivalent unless the school does not require a minimum grade point average.

Earline S. Rogers Student Teaching Scholarship for Minorities

The Earline S. Rogers Student Teaching Scholarship is for minority students (defined as Black and Hispanic and Latinx individuals) who will work as student teachers or in school administration during their degree program. Priority will be given to student teaching applicants.

The maximum amount a student may receive is up to $4,000. The scholarship amount may vary year to year based on the appropriation amount and the number of applicants.

The size of the stipend will be determined in part by whether an applicant is entering student teaching or an administrative internship. The financial aid office at the college the student attends will distribute scholarships.

Workforce Ready Grant

The Next Level Jobs Workforce Ready Grant covers the full tuition and required fees for eligible high-value certificate programs at Ivy Tech Community College, Vincennes University, Indiana Institute of Technology, or other authorized providers. The grant is given for two years and covers up to the number of credits required by the qualifying program. Program-specific fees and equipment are not covered.

Indiana National Guard Tuition Supplement Grant

The Commission has arranged a partnership with the Indiana National Guard in order to guarantee 100% of tuition and regularly assessed fees for eligible members of both The Army and Air National Guards. Students can attend either full-time or part-time, but they may only receive the National Guard Tuition Supplement Grant (NGSG) during fall and spring semesters.

Children and Spouse of Public Safety Officers

The Tuition and Fee Exemption for Students and Spouses of Public Safety Officers allows up to 100% of tuition and regularly assessed fees at Indiana public colleges and universities. The greatest amount that an eligible applicant is exempt from paying for a semester hour is the cost of an undergraduate semester credit hour at the state educational institution in which he or she enrolls.

Children of Deceased or Disabled Veteran

The Tuition and Fee Exemption for Children of Disabled Veterans provides up to 100% of tuition and regularly assessed fees for up to 124 semester credit-hours at Indiana public colleges and universities at the undergraduate resident tuition rate.

Child of Purple Heart Recipient or Wounded Veteran

The Tuition and Fee Exemption for Children of Purple Heart Recipients provides up to 100% of tuition and regularly assessed fees for up to 124-semester credit-hours at Indiana public colleges and universities at the undergraduate resident tuition rate.

Children and Spouse of Indiana National Guard

The Commission provides a supplement to other state scholarships by guaranteeing 100% of tuition and regularly assessed fees for students who are the child or spouse of a member of the Indiana National Guard and died in the line of duty while serving on active duty with the state.

Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Children’s Home

In addition to other state grants, the Commission offers a supplement that guarantees 100% of tuition and regularly assessed fees for former students and/or graduates of Morton Memorial High School who are also former residents of the Indiana Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Children’s Home (ISSCH).

Indiana Purple Heart Recipient

The Tuition and Fee Exemption for Indiana Purple Heart Recipients provides up to 100 percent of tuition and regularly assessed fees for 124 semester credit hours at the undergraduate resident tuition rate to Indiana Purple Heart recipients.

WHAT IS
SCHOLARTRACK?

ScholarTrack is the one-stop-shop for Hoosiers’ state financial aid needs, including the 21st Century Scholarship and other need- and merit-based aid. ScholarTrack guides its users through the process of applying for – and maintaining – state financial aid.

With ScholarTrack, you can:

  • Apply for state financial aid, such as the 21st Century Scholarship and the Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship
  • Complete your Scholar Success Program activities (both high school and college)
  • Check the status of your FAFSA, college credit completion, and more
  • See what financial aid you are being offered from the state
  • Submit and view appeals
  • Access additional college and career success resources.

To learn more, visit our ScholarTrack page.

INDIANA SCHOLARSHIPS FAQs

How do I know which scholarship will suit me?

Each scholarship has a description of its recipients. You can tell if a scholarship is a right fit for you by reading this description. Also, if you file the FAFSA, you will receive the information for the scholarships for which you qualify.

How many scholarships should I apply for?

You can apply to as many scholarships as you want. The more you apply for the better because you’ll have a larger chance of covering the cost of your education.

Do scholarships need to be repaid?

No. Scholarships are free money that you receive and don’t have to repay.

How many scholarships can you get?

There is no limit to how many scholarships you can receive. However, you can’t use your scholarship money on anything other than higher education, so therefore it is necessary to not exceed the total cost of your higher education through scholarships. 

In which month should you apply for scholarships?

Scholarships have many different deadlines. Make a list of all the scholarships you hope to apply for and the deadlines so that you can apply at the correct time.

What is the Indiana Freedom of Choice Grant?

The Frank O’Bannon Grant includes both the Higher Education Award and the Freedom of Choice Award. The grant is designed to provide access for Hoosier students to attend eligible public, private and proprietary postsecondary institutions. Eligibility for the grant is based on financial need as determined by the FAFSA. The grant may be used toward tuition and regularly assessed fees.

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