Student-centric advice and objective recommendations
Higher education has never been more confusing or expensive. Our goal is to help you navigate the very big decisions related to higher ed with objective information and expert advice. Each piece of content on the site is original, based on extensive research, and reviewed by multiple editors, including a subject matter expert. This ensures that all of our content is up-to-date, useful, accurate, and thorough.
Our reviews and recommendations are based on extensive research, testing, and feedback. We may receive commission from links on our website, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions. Our marketing partners don’t review, approve or endorse our editorial content. It’s accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted. You can find a complete list of our partners here.
Top Indiana Scholarships in 2022
Between Ohio and Illinois lies Indiana, a state with a rich contribution to American History, including being the state Abraham Lincoln grew up in! If you are an Indiana resident or just want to go to college in the Hoosier state, there are a number of Indiana scholarships available to you!
Jump ahead to:
- Indiana student loan debt snapshot
- Top Indiana scholarships
- Merit scholarships at Indiana colleges and universities
- Additional Indiana resources
- Frequently asked questions
Indiana college loan debt snapshot
According to the Department of Education, Indiana residents owe $29.8 billion total in federal student loan debt. 906,500 student borrowers owe $32,874 each on average (those numbers do not include private loans). 51.7% of these loan borrowers are under the age of 35. When looking for ways to fund your higher education journey, remember that scholarships allow you to take fewer loans. Be sure to apply for as many as you’re eligible. Keep on reading to learn more about top Indiana scholarships, as well as merit scholarships from colleges in Indiana!
Top Indiana scholarships
Co-Alliance Cooperative Scholarship Program
- Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors who have a parent or grandparent who is a member of Co-Alliance Cooperative. Must intend to study agriculture
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: March 1 annually
AAF-Greater Evansville Scholarship Award
- Eligibility: Must be a graduating high school senior from one of the following Indiana counties: Vanderburgh, Warrick, Posey, Gibson, Pike. Must major in Advertising, Marketing, Graphic Design or Public Relations. Must have a 3.0+ GPA
- Amount: $5,000
- Deadline: Mid-March to mid-April
Frank O’Bannon Grant
- Eligibility: Must be an Indiana resident by December 31st the year prior to applying for aid. Must be a high school graduate or have a GED. Must enroll in school full-time. Must demonstrate financial need based on the FAFSA
- Amount: $940 – $9,200
- Deadline: Complete the FAFSA by late April
Linda Craig Memorial Scholarship
- Eligibility: Undergraduate students attending an Indiana college or university and studying in the areas of medicine, sports medicine and/or physical therapy. Must have completed at least one semester of college. Must have declared your major in medicine, sports medicine and/or physical therapy. Must have a 3.0+ GPA
- Amount: $2,500
- Deadline: Late April
Indiana Society of Professional Engineers Scholarships
- Eligibility: The applicant, and their parents or legal guardian, must be residents of the State of Indiana. Must attend an Indiana educational institution. Must be at least a rising college sophomore. Must be studying engineering
- Amount: $2,000
- Deadline: Early May
21st Century Scholars
- Eligibility: Must enroll in the 21st Century Scholars program as an 8th grade student and maintain academic progress and meet necessary deadlines for the program through high school. Must be a resident of Indiana. Must meet the income eligibility requirements.
- Amount: 4 years of tuition and on-campus housing
- Deadline: Complete all 12 high school Scholar Success Program activities by June 30 of your senior year of high school
Mitch Daniels Early Graduation Scholarship
- Eligibility: Indiana residents who attended a publicly supported Indiana high school. Must have graduated from high school at least 1 year early. Must not have been enrolled in a publicly supported high school for any part of a fourth year. Must enroll in school full-time in the academic year immediately following high school graduation
- Amount: $4,000
- Deadline: August 31
William A. Crawford Minority Teacher Scholarship
- Eligibility: Black and Hispanic/Latinx individuals who are Indiana residents. Must be admitted or already attending an eligible Indiana institution as a full-time undergraduate student. Must pursue a course of study that would enable you, upon graduation, to teach in an accredited school in Indiana. Agree in writing to teach at an accredited school in Indiana for at least 3 years following certification as a teacher.
- Amount: $4,000
- Deadline: August 31
Central Indiana Community Foundation scholarships
- Eligibility: Several scholarships for Indiana residents of various backgrounds, experience, and majors. Scholarships available for study at colleges, universities, vocational, trade, and technical schools. Check out the guide to see what you’re eligible for!
- Amount: Varies based on scholarship
- Deadline: Mid-September
Adult Student Grant
- Eligibility: Must be an Indiana resident, financially independent as defined by the FAFSA and demonstrate financial need. Must enroll in a course of study leading to an associate or first bachelor’s degree, or a certificate at Ivy Tech Community College or Vincennes University. Must enroll in at least 6 credit hours
- Amount: $2,000
- Deadline: First come, first serve rolling deadline (make sure you complete the FAFSA)
Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program
- Eligibility: Must permanently reside in one of Indiana’s 92 counties and be a graduate from an Indiana high school. Must rank in the upper 20% of their high school graduating class. Must pursue full-time undergraduate study at an Indiana school. Must demonstrate extracurricular, work, or volunteer experience
- Amount: Full tuition and book stipend for 4 years
- Deadline: Varies based on institution
Merit scholarships at Indiana colleges and universities
DePauw University
- Eligibility: Awards are made to incoming first-year students based on academic achievement, leadership, community service and musical talent. Also based on other factors in the admission application such as ACT and SAT scores and GPA
- Amount: Varies, up to full cost of tuition
- Deadline: Apply for admission to DePauw University by February 1
Indiana University-Purdue University – Indianapolis
- Eligibility: Incoming first-year students to IUPUI. Must have a 3.5+ high school GPA
- Amount: $1,000 – $5,000 per year
- Deadline: February 15; November 15 for priority consideration
Indiana University – Bloomington
- Eligibility: Incoming first-year students to Indiana University – Bloomington. Merit scholarships available for in-state, out-of-state, and international students. Scholarships are made based on high academic achievement shown in admission application
- Amount: $1,000 – $11,000
- Deadline: November 1 for in-state and out-of-state students; February 1 for international students
Purdue University
- Eligibility: Incoming first-year students to Purdue University. Based on a review of the admission application
- Amount: $500 – $16,000 per year
- Deadline: November 1 annually
Ball State University
- Eligibility: Incoming first-year students to Ball State University. Awards are made based on talent, academics, service, or leadership
- Amount: $4,000 per year for in-state students; $14,000 per year for out-of-state students
- Deadline: Considered upon admission to Ball State University
University of Indianapolis
- Eligibility: Incoming first-year students to University of Indianapolis. Must show high academic achievement in admission application
- Amount: $10,000 – full cost of tuition
- Deadline: Considered upon application to University of Indianapolis
University of Notre Dame
- Eligibility: First-year Notre Dame students. Awards are made based on highly competitive academic records, demonstrated leadership, and service to your community
- Amount: $10,000 – full cost of tuition
- Deadline: Considered upon admission to University of Notre Dame
Additional Indiana resources
Learn More Indiana scholarship resources
Browse a list of scholarships for Indiana residents of various backgrounds, skills, and areas of study.
College of Arts and Sciences Department of Art and Design scholarships
Scholarships for students studying Art and Design at Indiana State University.
EARN Indiana
EARN stands for “Employment Aid Readiness Network.” It is Indiana’s work-study program. Students with financial need have access to paid internships that build work experience!
FAFSA guide
On October 1st of every year, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opens nationwide. Arkansas students should complete the FAFSA to be eligible for federal student aid as well as some scholarships.
Frequently asked questions
Does Indiana offer free college?
The 21st Century Scholars program awards 4 years of full tuition. There are several other state-sponsored scholarships that award around $2,000 – $9,000.
