🎓 Indiana University Bloomington 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
📊 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
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.
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.
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.
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 |
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.
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.
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.
📎 Official Links
Always confirm deadlines, eligibility, and application steps through IU’s official sites. These pages are the most reliable sources for updated scholarship details.
🎯 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.
#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).
- 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.