Scholarships at Indiana University Bloomington

🎓 Indiana University Bloomington Scholarships (2025–2026)

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What This Page Covers:
  • Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
  • Automatic merit ranges and who typically qualifies
  • Competitive and hidden-gem scholarships worth a look
  • Honors perks and how to stack awards the smart way

📊 Admissions Snapshot

  • Acceptance Rate: ~80% (CDS 2024–25)
  • Middle 50% ACT: 25–31
  • Middle 50% SAT: 1200–1390
  • Average HS GPA: 3.8

Source: IU Bloomington Common Data Set 2024–25 and Office of Admissions.

📌

Indiana University Bloomington at a Glance

Average Net Price
$16,789
Average after grants and scholarships (College Scorecard 2025)
Automatic Merit
$2,000–$11,000 per year (IU Bloomington Scholarships)
Automatic for high academic achievement; determined by GPA/test score
Typical Qualifiers
GPA 3.8+ • ACT 28+ • SAT 1300+
Competitive applicants often exceed these averages
Testing Policy
Test-optional through 2026
Merit scholarships available for both test and test-optional applicants
Key Deadlines
Priority: Nov 1 • Final: Feb 1
FAFSA priority: Apr 15
Honors College
Hutton Honors College
Selective; includes scholarships, small seminars, and housing options
Full-Tuition / Full-Ride
Wells Scholars Program (Full Ride)
Covers full tuition, fees, housing, and enrichment funding
Residency & Waivers
Not an MSEP participant
IU offers institutional merit to offset out-of-state tuition instead
Verified from IU Bloomington Scholarships & Financial Aid (2025–26).
Last verified: October 7, 2025

Indiana University Bloomington combines strong academics, a nationally recognized business school, and a long history of rewarding merit. The university’s automatic scholarships can make it competitive with out-of-state flagships—especially for students with strong grades and test scores.

Although IU doesn’t participate in the Midwest Student Exchange Program, its institutional scholarships and the Wells Scholars Program often provide even greater value for high-achieving applicants.

FAQ

Does IU Bloomington offer automatic merit scholarships? Yes — students are automatically considered based on GPA and test scores at the time of admission.

Does IU participate in MSEP? No, but institutional merit often exceeds MSEP-level discounts.

What’s the average net price? About $16,789 after grants and scholarships (College Scorecard 2025).

What’s the top award? The Wells Scholars Program — a full ride including tuition, housing, and enrichment funding.


💰 Cost of Attendance at Indiana University Bloomington (2025–2026)

The following figures represent the estimated annual cost for a full-time undergraduate student at IU Bloomington during the 2025–2026 academic year. These totals include tuition, housing, and meal costs before financial aid or scholarships.

Category Indiana Resident Non-Resident
Tuition & Mandatory Fees $12,142 $42,294
Housing & Meals $14,160 $14,160
Total (Direct/Billed) $26,302 $56,454

Note: Additional expenses—such as books, transportation, and personal items—can add about $4,500–$5,000 to the yearly total. IU’s published figures assume full-time enrollment and standard double-room housing.

📉 Average Net Price (after aid)

IU Bloomington’s average net price—what families actually pay after scholarships and grants—is typically $16,000–$17,000 per year. That number can drop significantly for lower-income families and rise for those who don’t qualify for need-based aid or large merit awards.

💡 Understanding Net Price vs. Sticker Price

The totals above represent IU’s published “sticker price” before financial aid. Many families pay less thanks to automatic merit scholarships, state grants for Indiana residents, or selective academic awards. You can estimate your family’s actual cost using IU’s official Net Price Calculator.

🚫 No Out-of-State Tuition Waivers at IU Bloomington

Unlike some public universities, IU Bloomington does not offer general out-of-state tuition waivers and is not part of the Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP). The “Indiana Partner Rate” applies only to certain IU regional campuses—not the Bloomington flagship.

Out-of-state students can still significantly reduce their costs through automatic merit scholarships, competitive awards, or rare residency appeals.


🧮 Does IU Superscore?

Nope—IU Bloomington does not superscore the ACT or SAT. They’ll only look at your teen’s highest complete test date, not a mix of their best section scores across multiple tries.

The good news? They’ll always use whichever full score is highest—so a strong result from any single test date can help your teen qualify for more scholarship money.

✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships

If your teen has strong grades—and possibly test scores—they may automatically qualify for a merit scholarship at IU. No separate application is required: once they apply for admission, they’re considered for all awards they’re eligible for.

Scholarship Award Amount Eligibility Separate App? Renewable? Who Actually Wins? Deadline
Trustee Scholarship $13,000/year Top academic record No Yes (3.0 GPA) Typically 3.9+ GPA and ACT 31+ or SAT 1410+ Nov 1 (priority)
Academic Excellence Scholarship $10,000/year Strong GPA and test scores No Yes (3.0 GPA) 3.7–3.89 GPA with solid ACT/SAT scores Nov 1 (priority)
Rising Award $2,150/year First-generation or underrepresented students No Yes (3.0 GPA) 3.0+ GPA; often awarded to diverse or first-gen students Nov 1 (priority)

GPA and test score cutoffs are approximate when not explicitly stated on IU’s website. They’re based on a mix of official award descriptions, past recipient data, and published student profiles. The actual cutoff can shift depending on the year’s applicant pool and available funding.

❓ Automatic Scholarships – FAQs

Do we have to submit a separate application for these scholarships?

No—these awards are automatic with admission. As long as your student applies by the priority deadline and meets the academic criteria, they’ll be considered.

Do test scores help, even if IU is test-optional?

Yes. Submitting strong ACT or SAT scores can increase scholarship chances, especially for out-of-state students trying to bring the cost down.

Does IU superscore the ACT or SAT?

IU does not superscore. They’ll only consider your student’s highest complete test score from a single date, but they’ll use whichever one is best.

Are these scholarships renewable?

Yes—most renew for up to four years if your student maintains at least a 3.0 GPA at IU.


Flagship Scholarships (Competitive Scholarships)

These are IU’s most selective and valuable scholarships. They are not automatic—most require a nomination or separate application with essays and recommendations.

Scholarship Award Amount Eligibility Separate App? Renewable? Who Actually Wins? Deadline
Wells Scholars Program Full tuition + living expenses Nomination by high school or IU; essays; counselor & teacher recs Yes Yes ~Top 1–2%: 3.9+ GPA; 31+ ACT / 1410+ SAT (if submitted); deep leadership/service Sept 25 (typical)
Herbert Presidential Scholars Full ride + laptop + study-abroad stipend Indiana residents; strong GPA and leadership; early admission No (via admission) Yes (4 years) Selected from top in-state applicants; very small cohort Nov 1 (apply by)
Hudson & Holland Scholars Program ~$6,000/year High-achieving underrepresented students; IU Scholarships app Yes Yes 3.8–4.0 GPA, AP/IB/DE rigor, leadership or service impact Early spring (portal)
National Merit / National Hispanic Recognition About $1,000/year (IU award) NMSC Finalist or College Board recognition; IU first-choice (as applicable) No (designation-based) Yes Students meeting national recognition criteria and deadlines Per NMSC/CB timelines
Tip: For Wells and Herbert, start early—nominations, recommendations, and polished essays are needed well before regular admission deadlines.

Competitive Scholarship FAQs

Do these require separate applications?
Yes. Wells requires nomination plus materials; Hudson & Holland runs through the IU Scholarships portal; Herbert is tied to early admission.

Are test scores required?
IU is test-optional, but high scores (if submitted) strengthen candidacy for the most selective awards.

Can out-of-state students win?
Yes—Wells and Hudson & Holland consider nonresidents; Herbert is limited to Indiana residents.


Hidden Gem Scholarships

These awards often live inside the IU Scholarships (AcademicWorks) portal and include alumni-connected funds, first-gen and identity-based scholarships, marching band/ensemble money, and departmental awards. The portal typically opens around September 1 with many priority windows running from February 1 to March 10; program and audition timelines may vary by department.

Scholarship Award Amount Eligibility Separate App? Renewable? Who Actually Wins? Deadline
Kenneth R. R. Gros Louis Scholarship Varies Academic excellence, leadership in student activities, and distinguished service record Yes (IU Scholarships) Often Campus leaders with sustained impact (org officers, major service roles); strong GPA + references Varies; portal priority Feb 1–Mar 10
IUAA Scholars Program $1,000 Financial need + academic achievement; preference for children of IUAA life members Yes (IUAA / IU Scholarships) No Students who complete FAFSA early and show involvement/achievement; multiple awards annually Varies; check IUAA cycle
Charles & Jo Ann Linsmith Scholarship Varies Children/grandchildren of IUAA staff; IUAA student employees; leaders in IUAA-sponsored orgs Yes (IUAA) Often Students with direct IUAA affiliation or leadership hours; strong service references help Varies; IUAA schedule
Jerry Foster Memorial Scholarship Varies Child of an IU alumni chapter leader; academic achievement + financial need Yes (IUAA / chapter) No Families active in IUAA chapters; award decisions often consider chapter service Chapter-set; varies
C & C First-Generation Scholarship $1,000–$3,000/yr Pell-eligible (need-based), ≥3.0 GPA; priority to first-gen students Yes (IU Scholarships) Often First-gen students who file FAFSA on time and complete portal essays by priority date Portal priority Feb 1–Mar 10
LGBTQ+ Alumni Association Academic Scholarship Varies Applicants connected to LGBTQ+ community; academic achievement Yes (IUAA / unit) Sometimes Students with clear contributions to LGBTQ+ advocacy, leadership, or campus orgs Varies by unit
Latino Alumni Association Scholarship Varies Identity-based; academic achievement and/or need Yes (IUAA / unit) Sometimes Active involvement in Latino student orgs, service, or leadership boosts chances Varies by unit
Neal-Marshall Alumni Club Scholarship Varies For African American students; achievement/need considered Yes (Alumni unit) Sometimes Students demonstrating leadership, campus engagement, and strong academics Varies by unit
Asian Alumni Association Scholarship Varies For students of Asian heritage; achievement/need considered Yes (Alumni unit) Sometimes Students with leadership/service in Asian/Asian-American communities or orgs Varies by unit
Jacobs School of Music Scholarships $5,000–Full Ride Audition-based; varies by studio/department (performance, composition, conducting) Yes (Jacobs) Often Top auditionees; studio needs and faculty rankings drive amounts Audition timelines vary; check studio
Marching Band & Ensembles (Marching Hundred; concert/jazz/wind) $500–$10,000+ Open to many majors; auditions and leadership roles may be required Yes (program/ensemble) Sometimes Committed performers (attendance + leadership); section leaders often receive more Program-set; varies
Departmental Awards (Art/Media/Design/Journalism, etc.) $500–$5,000/yr Portfolios, interviews, or major-specific criteria; many run via IU Scholarships Often Varies Students who submit strong work samples and meet early departmental deadlines Department-set; varies
IU Foundation / Donor-Funded Awards $1,000–$2,000/yr Wide range of criteria (alumni children, leadership, service, staff dependents) Yes (IU Scholarships) Sometimes Students who complete the general app early and match targeted donor criteria Portal priority Feb 1–Mar 10

Hidden Gem Scholarship FAQs

Do these scholarships stack with automatic merit?

Often yes. Alumni/identity-based, ensemble, and many departmental funds can stack with admission-based awards unless terms say otherwise. Always review each award’s stacking rules.

Where do we actually apply?

Start in the IU Scholarships (AcademicWorks) portal. Complete the general application and follow any recommended opportunities. Some units (music/ensembles, alumni groups) may require separate forms or auditions.

What’s a realistic timeline for seniors?

Open the portal in early fall, file the FAFSA as soon as possible, and target priority dates—commonly February 1 to March 10. Audition-based and ensemble awards may finalize earlier.

Do undecided majors have options?

Yes. Many donor and alumni awards don’t require a specific major. Departmental funds may prefer related coursework or a portfolio but some accept exploratory students who meet the criteria.


Hutton Honors College (HHC) at Indiana University Bloomington

The Hutton Honors College offers smaller classes, priority registration, personalized advising, and access to honors-only scholarships and experiences—including global and research funding. For many high-achieving students, especially out-of-state families, Hutton can make IU significantly more affordable.

Who tends to be invited?

IU doesn’t publish fixed GPA or test cutoffs. Historically, many Hutton students are top-of-class with rigorous AP/IB/Dual Credit coursework and (if submitted) ACT/SAT scores in the top quartile. Strong writing and initiative also matter.
Scholarship Award Amount Eligibility Separate App? Renewable? Who Actually Wins? Deadline
Hutton Honors College Scholarship (Primary) $2,000–$3,000 per year Directly admitted to Hutton; strong academics and leadership; automatic consideration with Early Action application Short Hutton app Often Admitted Hutton students with excellent grades and meaningful involvement Apply to IU by Nov 1 (Early Action)
Dr. Arvin T. Henderson Scholarship (Hutton Donor) Varies Hutton student pursuing medicine or health sciences Yes – Hutton donor app Sometimes Pre-med students with strong science coursework and clinical/service record Typically Feb 1
Josephine Stuckey Scholarship (Hutton Donor) Varies Hutton student majoring in Education Yes – Hutton donor app Sometimes Education majors with tutoring, mentoring, or classroom volunteer experience Typically Feb 1
Les & Mary Lou Waters Scholarship (Hutton Donor) Varies Hutton student pursuing business or entrepreneurship Yes – Hutton donor app Sometimes Business-bound students with leadership (FBLA, DECA, ventures, or finance clubs) Typically Feb 1
Melissa Laney Scholarship (Hutton Donor) Varies Hutton student interested in environmental studies or O’Neill SPEA fields Yes – Hutton donor app Sometimes Students demonstrating environmental impact through research, service, or leadership Typically Feb 1
Hutton International Experiences Program (HIEP) Up to $3,000 (study-abroad support) Hutton students participating in approved study-abroad or global experiences Yes No (one-time) Students planning early and linking global learning to academic goals Oct 15 (Fall) / Mar 15 (Spring)

Note: Apply to IU by Nov 1 (Early Action) for Hutton consideration. Most Hutton donor scholarships close around Feb 1. HIEP travel-funding deadlines align with the term of study abroad (Oct 15 / Mar 15).

Hutton Honors – FAQs

Is there a separate application for Hutton Honors?
No separate form at first—students are invited based on IU admission review. Some donor and experiential scholarships require short follow-up applications.

Can Hutton awards stack with other IU scholarships?
Generally yes. Hutton awards often stack on top of automatic merit and many donor or departmental scholarships. Check award details for any limits.

Do I have to live in Honors housing to receive funding?
No. Honors housing is optional and does not affect scholarship eligibility.

How competitive are Hutton donor scholarships?
Selective but attainable. Successful applicants align with the donor’s purpose (major, career interest, or impact area) and provide strong essays and recommendations.


🎯 What Indiana University Bloomington Is Known For

Indiana University Bloomington pairs flagship scale with specialty strength: a top-tier public affairs powerhouse, a nationally ranked business school, one of the country’s premier music conservatories, and fast-rising tech programs—backed by major research output as a public R1 Research University.

Standout Program: Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs
#1 public graduate school for Public Affairs and #2 overall (U.S. News, 2025–26), with several #1-ranked concentrations (Environmental Policy & Management; Nonprofit Management; Public Finance & Budgeting; Public Management & Leadership).
Institutional note: IU Bloomington is a public R1 Research University.
  • Kelley School of Business (Undergraduate)#8 nationally (U.S. News, 2025). Multiple specialties in the national top 10: Accounting (#4), Marketing (#4), Management (#4), Information Systems (#6), Entrepreneurship (#7), Analytics/Finance/Operations (all #9).
  • Jacobs School of Music — Consistently recognized among the nation’s top music schools; renowned for voice, opera, orchestral performance, and composition.
  • Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering (Computer Science) — Ranked #27 among publics and #54 overall in the latest U.S. News undergraduate CS rankings (2026 list).
  • IU School of Nursing (Undergraduate) — Ranked #13 nationally (U.S. News, 2025).
  • Languages, Area Studies & Social Sciences — Broad national recognition in languages/area studies and strengths across sociology, psychology, history, and more—supported by IU’s deep research footprint.

✨ Final Thoughts

IU Bloomington has a little bit of everything: generous automatic merit, a handful of big-name competitive scholarships, dozens of hidden alumni and identity-based awards, and the Hutton Honors College for high achievers. The key is timing—apply by November 1 to keep every door open, and use the IU Scholarships portal early in the spring to scoop up the smaller awards that many families miss.

For parents, the message is simple: start early, double-check deadlines, and encourage your teen to chase both the big and the “hidden gem” scholarships. At IU, stacking awards is not only possible—it’s often the smartest way to bring the cost down to a level that works for your family.

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