Indiana State University Scholarships (2025–2026)
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- 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
Paying for college can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re the first in your family to do this. Indiana State University keeps things fairly straightforward: tuition is set on a flat band, and scholarships are offered both automatically and through competitive programs. This guide walks you through costs, aid, and opportunities in plain English—plus don’t forget Indiana’s own state aid programs alongside the CRP scholarship hub.
💰 Cost of Attendance at Indiana State University
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees (12–18 credits) | $9,978 | $22,646 |
| Housing & Meals | $11,916 | $11,916 |
| Books & Supplies | $1,140 | $1,140 |
| Transportation | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| Personal/Misc. | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| Total (before aid) | $26,034 | $38,702 |
Average Net Price: $12,188 (2022–2023). That’s what families actually paid after scholarships and grants—no loans included, according to federal data.
Regional Tuition Discounts (Reciprocity): Indiana State offers two ways for nonresidents to pay a much lower rate:
- Automatic State/Regional Rate: Reduced nonresident tuition for residents of Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio and the Midwest Consortium states KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, WI (automatic with admission; renewable; note: Midwest Consortium is not open to nursing majors). Typical reduced tuition is about $12,972 vs. the standard out-of-state rate of $22,646—often saving families $9,000+ per year.
- Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP): ISU also participates in MSEP, with an estimated MSEP tuition of about $12,626. Learn how it works in our MSEP guide.
Who qualifies? Admitted freshmen from IL, KY, OH, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, and WI.
How much do they save? Around $8,800–$9,000 per year off nonresident tuition.
Is it automatic? Yes. No separate application is needed—eligibility is checked during admission.
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Merit Scholarship | $1,000/yr | HS GPA ≥ 3.25; admitted by deadlines; can stack with select awards | No | Yes (up to 4 years) | Typically GPA 3.25–3.49* |
| Academic Distinction Scholarship | $2,500/yr | HS GPA ≥ 3.5; admitted by deadlines; stackable with many awards | No | Yes (up to 4 years) | GPA 3.5+ students |
| Incentive Scholarship | $5,000/yr | Non-IN residents, HS GPA ≥ 3.0; not available with IL/KY/OH/Midwest rate | No | Yes (up to 4 years) | Nonresidents ~3.0+ GPA |
| Illinois Student Scholarship | Reduced tuition (~$12,972 vs $22,646) | Automatic for IL residents; renewable up to 5 years | No | Yes (up to 5 years) | All admitted IL residents |
| Kentucky Student Scholarship | Reduced tuition (~$13,778 vs $22,646) | Automatic for KY residents; renewable | No | Yes | All admitted KY residents |
| Ohio Student Scholarship | Reduced tuition (~$13,778 vs $22,646) | Automatic for OH residents; renewable | No | Yes | All admitted OH residents |
| Midwest Consortium Scholarship | Reduced tuition (~$13,778 vs $22,646) | Residents of KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, WI (not available to Nursing majors) | No | Yes | All admitted students from listed states |
*Eligibility cutoffs and GPA ranges are based on ISU’s published criteria. “Who Actually Wins?” estimates reflect past award profiles and may shift depending on the year’s applicant pool and funding.
Do I need to apply separately? No. These awards are automatic with admission if you meet GPA and residency criteria.
Does ISU superscore the SAT/ACT? ISU is test-optional, and the automatic awards above are based primarily on GPA. Test scores may still strengthen competitive scholarship applications.
Can these stack with other aid? Many of these awards stack with certain other scholarships, but not with each other if they’re residency-based (e.g., you can’t combine Illinois Student with the Incentive Scholarship). The cap is the full cost of attendance.
🏆 Competitive Scholarships
These top-tier awards are open to all admitted freshmen, but they’re limited in number and require essays, interviews, or strong leadership records. They can cover major costs, but you’ll need to meet early deadlines and stand out academically and personally.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| President’s Scholarship | Full in-state tuition + housing & meals (18 awards) | First-year admits; top academics & leadership; interview day required | Yes – Apply by Dec 15; admission by Dec 1 | Yes (4 years) | 3.8–4.0 GPA, rigorous coursework, leadership, strong interview* |
| President’s Academic Excellence Scholarship | $4,000/yr | Meet 2 of 3: GPA ≥3.8, ACT ≥27 (SAT 1270), Top 10% of class | Yes | Yes | Students hitting at least 2 cutoffs (published) |
| Warren M. Anderson Scholarship | Full in-state tuition + housing & meals | First-year admits; leadership focus; interview day | Yes | Yes | Students with top GPA and leadership portfolios* |
*Profiles are estimates when not explicitly published by ISU. Competitive awards are limited in number and require more than GPA alone.
What makes these competitive? They’re limited, require essays and interviews, and look for leadership and service—not just GPA.
Are deadlines strict? Yes. You must be admitted by Dec 1 and have scholarship applications in by Dec 15.
Can I stack these with automatic awards? Sometimes, but ISU caps total aid at the cost of attendance. Always check the fine print.
⭐ College Specialty
Indiana State University isn’t an R1 powerhouse, but it has carved out a reputation for producing strong graduates in applied fields. From aviation to education, ISU focuses on programs that connect directly to careers and community needs. Parents often notice that these programs lead to internships, licensure, or job pipelines that keep students on track after graduation.
Signature Program: Aviation Technology — Indiana State runs one of the largest collegiate aviation programs in the Midwest, with its own Flight Academy at Terre Haute Regional Airport. Students train on-site with simulators and aircraft, preparing for professional pilot and management roles in a field facing national demand for graduates.
- Teacher Education: Long history of producing Indiana teachers; Bayh College of Education is a statewide leader in licensure and placement.
- Insurance & Risk Management: Recognized nationally for its undergraduate program; includes the Gongaware and Networks cohorts that fund professional development in business and financial services.
- Criminology & Criminal Justice: One of the largest programs in the state, offering applied pathways into law enforcement, security, and policy.
- Nursing & Health Professions: Regional reputation for preparing nurses and allied health professionals, with clinical partnerships across Indiana.
🎖️ Honors College
Indiana State’s Honors College is designed for curious, motivated students who want more out of their general education. Instead of adding extra time, the Honors curriculum overlaps with core requirements, keeping graduation on track while offering smaller classes and closer faculty connections.
What a Typical ISU Honors Student Looks Like: High school GPA around 3.7–4.0*, a rigorous course load with AP/dual credit, and strong leadership or service activities. Test scores (27 ACT / 1270 SAT and above) strengthen an application but are not required since ISU is test-optional.
Perks that Matter: Priority registration, small seminar-style classes, faculty mentorship, an option to live in Honors housing, and the chance to complete an undergraduate thesis or project. Honors students also get access to competitive scholarships like the President’s and University Honors Scholarships.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University Honors Scholarship | Full in-state tuition (up to 8 semesters) | High-achieving first-year students invited to interview day | Yes — apply by Dec 15; admission by Dec 1 | Yes (8 semesters) | Top academic students (GPA ~3.8+, strong rigor and service) |
Is admission automatic? No. Students must apply separately to the Honors College after being admitted to ISU.
Does it add time to a degree? No. The Honors curriculum is designed to fit within the university’s Foundational Studies requirements.
What are the deadlines? For top Honors-linked scholarships, admission must be completed by Dec 1 and the Honors/Scholarship application by Dec 15.
Does Honors come with extra scholarships? Yes. Awards like the President’s and University Honors Scholarships are tied directly to Honors College participation and selection processes.
📎 Official Links
Final Thoughts
Indiana State University may not be a national research giant, but it delivers real value for families—especially with automatic scholarships, reduced regional tuition, and unique programs like Aviation and Education that connect straight to careers. For first-gen parents, the mix of predictable costs and hidden gems (from marching band to ROTC) means there are plenty of ways to make an ISU degree affordable. The key is applying early, watching those December deadlines, and stacking what your student qualifies for.
✅ Last updated: September 5, 2025