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Edited By: Indiana Scholarships
The Hoosier State is known for the Indianapolis 500, the popularity of high school and college basketball and as the birthplace of Kurt Vonnegut. It’s also home to several major universities, like Purdue University, Notre Dame and Indiana University. Another thing that Hoosiers are proud to be known for? Their student loan debt totals. Research shows the average Indiana borrower has one of the lowest average student loan balances in the country. But, even with low student loans, the average Hoosier still owes about $30,000 when they graduate. An easy way to reduce that total is to apply for - and win - scholarships. Read below to understand how Indiana scholarships work, where to find them and how to apply.
Continue reading the article below the scholarship list.
25 Indiana Scholarships with Approaching Deadlines
What is an Indiana scholarship?
An Indiana scholarship is an award given to a student who is either from Indiana or attending school in Indiana. Some Indiana scholarships are only awarded to current Indiana residents who are also attending school within the state.
Indiana scholarships can have merit- or need-based components and some may have both. A merit scholarship is given based on your GPA, test scores, awards and other academic accomplishments. Organizations may also look at your athletic or artistic talents.
For example, the Thomas A. Brady, MD Comeback Scholarship Award is given to a student-athlete who demonstrates resilience and grit. Four winners will be chosen, and they will each receive a $1,500 scholarship.
A need-based award requires that students come from families that can't afford to pay for all of their college-related expenses out-of-pocket. These scholarships may have specific annual income limits or use data from the FAFSA to determine if a student has demonstrated financial need.
Need-based awards may require that students continue to meet financial criteria to have their scholarship renewed. However, this will depend on the particular scholarship.
Where to find Indiana scholarships
If you're attending school in Indiana, then your school's financial aid department should have a list of scholarships you may be eligible for. If you’re going to a large state school, then each department within the school may also have its own roster of potential scholarships.
The financial aid department may have a list of scholarships online. However, you should also reach out to an officer to see if you are maximizing awards. Some schools will consider students for all possible scholarships when they apply, but many will also have extra forms that students must fill out.
You can also create a profile at Scholarships.com and get notifications when new awards are posted that match your profile. This will include, but not be limited to, local Indiana scholarships.
You should also look for scholarships that match any background demographic that you have. For example, if you are part of the LGBTQIA+ community and live in Indiana, you should make sure to include this information when creating your Scholarships.com profile so that you will get matched to those scholarships.
How to apply for Indiana scholarships
Each Indiana scholarship will have its own application requirements. Many scholarships require that students include an essay and at least one letter of recommendation from an adult, often a teacher.
Some scholarships may even require a special portfolio, especially if you’re submitting examples of your creative work. For example, if you’re applying for an artistic scholarship, you will have to provide samples of your art.
Before you start looking for individual scholarships, you should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is required by many third-party scholarship organizations to be considered. Also, many schools only grant their own awards if you have submitted the FAFSA. Unless your parents want to completely pay for your education out-of-pocket or you’re not eligible to fill out the FAFSA, there’s no reason not to submit it.
Plus, filling out the FAFSA ensures you can potentially receive federal grants, like the Pell Grant and federal student loans. In short, there's never a good reason not to complete the FAFSA.
Indiana scholarship FAQs
Are there Indiana scholarships for certain minority groups?
There are many Indiana scholarships that are only available to students from a certain background. For example, the William A. Crawford Minority Teacher Scholarship is given to a minority student who is an Indiana resident. They must also be studying education and plan to work in an Indiana school after graduation. The winner must also be attending an Indiana school.
If you have any kind of minority background, you should search for minority scholarships that match your specific background. Local chapters of minority organizations are a good place to start, but you can also use our Scholarship Directory to search for scholarships by different categories.
Do you have to attend a public school in Indiana to get an Indiana scholarship?
Some students assume that you can only win Indiana-based scholarships if you are planning to attend a public school in Indiana. However, many scholarships do not care whether you attend a public or private school.
For example, the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program is open to any student attending school in Indiana, either public or private. Students will get a four-year full tuition free ride and fees and textbooks will be covered.
While public schools often have less expensive tuition costs, private schools may still offer generous financial aid packages, especially need-based aid to talented students.
Do you have to attend school in Indiana to win an Indiana scholarship?
Some Indiana scholarships are only given to Indiana students who also plan to attend school in the Hoosier State. But, that is not always a requirement.
For example, the Society of Women Engineers - Region H: Heartland Scholarships are given to students who are attending school in one of the following states:
This means you can be from Indiana, but attending school in any of the states highlighted above. If you’re an Indiana resident attending school in a different state, you should also look for scholarships within that specific state.
Do you have to be from Indiana to win an Indiana scholarship?
Many Indiana scholarships mandate that students be current Indiana residents to be eligible. However, if you are from a neighboring state, you may still be able to qualify for an Indiana scholarship.
For example, the Michiana Economic Development Merit Award from Indiana University-South Bend is given to a student who is not from Indiana. The scholarship is worth $300 per credit hour, up to 45 credit hours max.
What are the best Indiana scholarships?
One of the best scholarship opportunities in the state of Indiana is the 21st Century Scholars program. If you are chosen, you will receive a full ride to an Indiana school. Students at both two- and four-year schools are eligible.
This is a need-based award given to students whose families enroll them in the seventh or eighth grade. Only U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens can receive the award. This scholarship is only given to students with extreme financial need.
Many schools also offer full tuition scholarships. However, these often require that you either have exceptional academic accomplishments or a high amount of financial need.
Are there scholarships for students from specific Indiana counties or cities?
Even though Indiana is one of the least populated states in the country, it still has a variety of scholarships available just for students from specific regions or cities.
For example, the Purdue Club of Northwest Indiana Scholar Award is given to a student who already attends Purdue University as a full-time student. You must have completed 24 credit hours and have a minimum 3.5 GPA. The exact dollar amount for the scholarship will vary. You must also be from one of the following counties in northwest Indiana:
- Lake
- Porter
- Jasper
- Newton
Are Indiana scholarships available for community college students?
Absolutely! Scholarships are not just for those students attending four-year colleges who are in the process of getting their bachelor's degree. In fact, students who are attending a community college or vocational school can still find scholarships to help reduce their loan burden. Also, a number of communit colleges now offer bachelor's degree programs.
The Frank O'Bannon Grant is given to an Indiana student who has demonstrated financial need and is planning to attend an Indiana school. You can find a list of eligible schools here. Only full-time students are eligible. You must complete the FAFSA as part of the full application.
If you have already applied to a community college or vocational school, their financial aid department should be able to help you apply for internal awards.
Are Indiana scholarships available for graduate or professional students?
While undergraduate students receive the bulk of scholarship and grant opportunities, there are many graduate student scholarships available. They may be eligible for scholarships, as well as fellowships and assistantship positions.
One excellent example of this would be for those students who will be receiving PhDs from Notre Dame University. These students will often have all their tuition costs covered. Graduate students can also qualify for generous awards.
Schools may have different scholarship policies for graduate and undergraduate students, so try to find a college that rewards those receiving a higher degree.
Are there specific Indiana scholarships for certain majors or degrees?
Some scholarships are designed for students who are studying a certain field or are interested in a particular profession.
For example, the Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship is given to a student who plans to study education. Only current Indiana residents who also have a 3.0 GPA are eligible. You must plan to attend school in Indiana and work for an eligible school for five years after graduation.
No matter what field you're interested in, you’re likely to find a special scholarship that fits your needs. For example, if you’re studying economics, look for “economics Indiana scholarships” on Google. Some professions may have more available scholarships than others, especially if that sector is underserved in your state.
Also, if you're a minority in your degree or future profession, you may find even more scholarship opportunities than someone who is well-represented.
Can I get an Indiana scholarship if I’m an international student?
The state of Indiana has plenty of reputable schools for international students to attend. And for families who can’t shell out the full tuition amount, there may be generous financial aid opportunities.
For example, Indiana University offers a limited number of scholarships to international students. These Global Engagement Scholarships can be renewed for four years and range between $1,000 and $11,000. Indiana University also gives out some country-specific awards to students who are residents of China, Japan or Latin America.
What kind of Indiana scholarships are available?
Indiana scholarships can be as broad as possible - or more narrow than you can even imagine. Students are often surprised at how niche and specific some scholarships are.
For example, the Indiana Donor Network Foundation Scholarship is given to a student who Is a family member of an organ tissue donor or transplant recipient or transplant candidate. There is only a 2.0 GPA requirement.
Are DACA students eligible for Indiana scholarships?
While DACA students are not eligible for federal financial aid or financial aid from the state of Indiana, they can qualify for scholarships through private organizations.
For example, the Indiana Undocumented Youth Alliance (IUYA) Scholarship is given to a student who is undocumented and attending school in Indiana. There must also be demonstrated financial need. The amount awarded is $1,000, to be divided between two semesters.
Indiana University also has a list of potential groups that offer DACA scholarships. If you’re undocumented, you can also look for national DACA scholarships.