University of Evansville Scholarships (2025–2026)

University of Evansville Scholarships (2025–2026)

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What This Page Covers:
  • Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
  • Automatic merit and competitive scholarships
  • Stackable institutional and departmental awards
  • Honors Program benefits and key deadlines

📊 Admissions Snapshot

  • Acceptance Rate: ~79%
  • Middle 50% ACT: 22–28
  • Middle 50% SAT: 1090–1320
  • Average HS GPA (middle 50%): 3.5–3.9

Source: University of Evansville Common Data Set 2024–25 and BigFuture overview. Middle 50% = range where half of admitted students fall.

Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →

📌

University of Evansville at a Glance

🏆 John C. Moore Scholars: Full tuition (competitive) — see Flagship (Competitive) for details.
Average Net Price
$20,230/year
What families actually paid on average
Automatic Merit (All Students)
$15,000–$30,000/year (Academic Scholarships)
Automatically awarded based on GPA and test scores
Typical Qualifiers
GPA 3.6+, ACT 25+, or SAT 1200+
Top merit tiers require higher GPA/test profiles
Testing Policy
Test-optional through 2026
Superscores ACT/SAT for higher award consideration
Key Deadlines
Priority Admission: Nov 1 • Scholarship: Dec 1 • FAFSA: Mar 1
Apply early for full merit and Ridgway consideration
Honors Program
Honors Program at UE
Perks: small seminars, research support, and study abroad grants
Full-Tuition / Full-Ride
John C. Moore Scholars (full tuition)
Competitive; covers full tuition for high-achieving students
Residency & Waivers
Private university — flat tuition
Same tuition for in-state and out-of-state students
Verified via University of Evansville scholarship pages (2025–26), Honors Program materials, and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (net price).
Last verified: October 18, 2025

The University of Evansville (UE) combines small-college attention with major merit scholarships. All admitted students are automatically considered for academic awards worth up to $30,000 per year, while the prestigious Moore Scholars program covers full tuition for the most exceptional applicants.

With generous aid, a strong Honors Program, and a global campus culture that includes Harlaxton College in England, Evansville offers high-achieving students an academically rich experience at a significantly reduced cost—even before state and federal aid are applied.

FAQ

Is this college test-optional? Yes — the University of Evansville is test-optional through 2026. Students may submit test scores to raise their scholarship levels.

What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 22–28; SAT: 1090–1320 (for students who submitted scores).

What’s the average net price? About $20,230/year after aid. See our Net Price & SAI guide.

Does this school use reciprocity or OOS waivers? No — UE is a private university, so tuition is the same for all U.S. students regardless of residency.

Sources:
https://www.evansville.edu/student-financial-services/scholarships-for-entering-freshmen-fall-2025.cfm
https://www.evansville.edu/student-financial-services/scholarships-for-entering-freshmen.cfm
https://www.evansville.edu/student-financial-services/aces-opportunity-grant-2025.cfm
https://www.evansville.edu/student-financial-services/hoosier-aces-scholarship-2025.cfm
https://www.evansville.edu/honorsprogram/moore.cfm
https://www.evansville.edu/admission/applyfirsttime.cfm
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school?150534-University_of_Evansville=

💰 Cost of Attendance at University of Evansville

Expense In-State Out-of-State
Tuition & Mandatory Fees (12–18 credits) $46,014 $46,014
Housing & Meals (typical) $15,545 $15,545
Total (before aid) $61,559 $61,559

Note: Other COA items (not billed directly to UE) include Purple Pack books/supplies ($890), transportation ($867), federal loan origination fee ($70), and personal/misc. ($1,284). They’re excluded from the table because families do not pay these charges to the university.

Average Net Price: $20,230 (2022–23 NCES data). This is what families actually paid on average after scholarships and grants — no loans included.
State Aid Programs: UE is a private university (no MSEP reciprocity). Indiana residents may qualify for the Frank O’Bannon Grant (Freedom of Choice) — maximum $10,600 at UE in 2025–26 — and 21st Century Scholars — maximum $9,516 at private colleges in 2025–26. These stack with UE merit scholarships to reduce your net price.

Cost of Attendance FAQs

Who qualifies for Indiana state aid? Indiana residents who meet FAFSA deadlines and income/academic requirements.

How much can these state programs reduce the bill? Up to $10,600 (Frank O’Bannon Freedom of Choice at UE) and up to $9,516 (21st Century Scholars at private colleges) — amounts vary by eligibility and stack with UE scholarships.

Do I need a separate application? File the FAFSA by Indiana’s April 15 priority deadline; awards are determined by the state and coordinated with UE.

Sources:
https://www.evansville.edu/student-financial-services/cost-of-attendance-2025-2026.cfm
https://www.evansville.edu/student-financial-services/tuition-and-direct-costs-undergraduate-2025-2026.cfm
https://www.evansville.edu/student-financial-services/housing-and-meals-undergraduate-2025-2026.cfm
https://www.evansville.edu/student-financial-services/grants.cfm
https://learnmoreindiana.org/scholars/
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school?150534-University_of_Evansville=

✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships

The University of Evansville automatically considers every admitted freshman for generous merit scholarships. Awards are based on weighted GPA or test scores (whichever is higher). Test-optional applicants are eligible too, and students can add “engagement awards” (Visit, FAFSA, Essay) worth up to $3,000 total.

Scholarship Award Amount Eligibility Separate App? Renewable? Who Actually Wins? Deadline
Presidential $30,000–$33,000 4.25+ GPA or 30 ACT / 1390 SAT; +$1,000 each for Visit, FAFSA, Essay No Yes (3.0 GPA; 24 credits/year) Top students with very strong GPAs or ACT 30+ / SAT ~1400* Feb 1 (priority for merit/essay)
May 1 (visit/FAFSA awards)
Dean’s $26,000–$29,000 4.0 GPA or 27 ACT / 1280 SAT; engagement awards apply No Yes Many “A” students, high 20s ACT / SAT ~1250–1300* Feb 1 (priority for merit/essay)
May 1 (visit/FAFSA awards)
Faculty $23,000–$26,000 3.75 GPA or 25 ACT / 1200 SAT; engagement awards apply No Yes Solid “A-/B+” students; ACT ~25 / SAT ~1200* Feb 1 (priority for merit/essay)
May 1 (visit/FAFSA awards)
Academic $21,000–$24,000 3.50 GPA or 23 ACT / 1130 SAT; engagement awards apply No Yes Strong “B+/A-” students with ACT low 20s / SAT ~1100* Feb 1 (priority for merit/essay)
May 1 (visit/FAFSA awards)
Aces $18,000–$21,000 3.25 GPA or 21 ACT / 1060 SAT; engagement awards apply No Yes Solid “B” students with ACT ~21 / SAT ~1050* Feb 1 (priority for merit/essay)
May 1 (visit/FAFSA awards)
Purple Varies Below 3.25 GPA or test threshold; engagement awards still apply No Yes Students below other cutoffs; awards reduced but available Feb 1 (priority for merit/essay)
May 1 (visit/FAFSA awards)

*GPA/test score ranges are based on published cutoffs; actual thresholds can shift slightly year to year depending on applicant pool and funding.

Automatic Merit FAQs

Do I need to apply separately? No — students are automatically considered when they apply for admission.

Are test scores required? No — UE is test-optional. They’ll use whichever is higher (GPA or test) when awarding.

Can I stack merit with other scholarships? Yes, but the total of UE scholarships and gift aid cannot exceed full-time tuition (12–18 credits per semester).

Are these renewable? Yes — generally for up to 4 years if you maintain at least a 3.0 GPA and 24 credits each year.

Sources:
https://www.evansville.edu/admission/financialaid/scholarships-freshmen.cfm

🏆 Competitive Scholarships

The University of Evansville offers a handful of competitive scholarships that go beyond automatic merit. These are prestigious awards tied to national recognition programs, and they can dramatically reduce or even eliminate tuition costs.

Scholarship Award Amount Eligibility Separate App? Renewable? Who Actually Wins? Deadline
National Merit Finalist Scholarship Full Tuition Must be a National Merit Finalist and designate UE No (just submit Certificate of Merit) Yes (maintain GPA/credits) National Merit Finalists who list UE as their first-choice school Feb 1 (priority)
College Board National Recognition $35,000/yr (2025 cohort) Students honored by College Board’s National Recognition Programs (First-Gen, Rural/Small Town, etc.) No (submit recognition certificate) Yes Recognized students with solid academics; awards are limited but generous Feb 1 (priority)

📌 Want the bigger picture? See our full guide to the National Merit Scholarship.

Competitive Scholarship FAQs

What makes these scholarships competitive? They are limited and tied to national recognition programs, not just GPA or test scores.

Are they renewable? Yes — most cover up to four years as long as you maintain UE’s GPA and credit requirements.

Can they stack with automatic merit? No — UE caps total gift aid at the cost of full-time tuition, so these replace (not add onto) automatic awards.

Do I need to file the FAFSA? Yes — UE requires the FAFSA for consideration of all scholarships and grants, even merit-based awards.

Sources:
https://www.evansville.edu/admission/financialaid/scholarships-freshmen.cfm

💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships

Beyond automatic and competitive awards, UE has several lesser-known programs that can quietly save families thousands of dollars. These include need-based guarantees, special Indiana/Kentucky awards, ROTC benefits, and department- or donor-backed funds.

Scholarship Award Amount Eligibility Separate App? Renewable? Who Actually Wins? Deadline
Aces Opportunity Grant (AOG) Full Tuition (after state/federal aid) Indiana residents with AGI under $60k or free/reduced lunch; must qualify for Indiana state grant; FAFSA by Apr 15 No — automatic if eligible Yes, up to 4 years Lower-income Indiana students who file FAFSA on time Apr 15 (FAFSA)
Hoosier Aces Scholarship Tuition + fees + $10,000 toward housing/meals (2026 cohort); full housing/meals in 2025 cohort Indiana residents who meet AOG criteria + 3.75 GPA; FAFSA by Apr 15 No — automatic if eligible Yes, up to 4 years High-achieving Indiana students with strong GPAs and very low SAI Apr 15 (FAFSA)
Army ROTC Room & Board Scholarship Covers standard room & board Contracted Army ROTC cadets in good standing at UE (via Wabash Battalion) Yes — ROTC contracting process Yes, while contracted Students pursuing Army ROTC who meet fitness and academic standards Rolling/ROTC selection
Scouting Scholarship $1,500/year Eagle Scouts and Girl Scouts Gold Award recipients No — provide documentation Yes (per UE renewal policies) Students with Scouting’s top rank who submit proof June 1
UE Kentucky Excellence Award $1,500/year Kentucky residents graduating from a Kentucky high school No Yes Kentucky grads attending UE, often stacking with merit July 1
Ensemble Participation Scholarship (non-music majors) Varies Non-music majors accepted via audition into UE ensembles (band/choir/orchestra) Yes — ensemble audition Yes, if ensemble requirements are met Strong performers who commit to ensemble participation Rolling/audition
Art Portfolio Scholarship $1,000/year Art majors who submit a portfolio by May 1 and are recommended by faculty Yes — portfolio submission Yes (per UE renewal policies) Committed art students with a solid portfolio May 1
National Need for Nursing Scholarship (Direct-entry Nursing) $25,000/year Students who gain direct entry into UE’s Nursing program No separate app; program admission required Yes Nursing-focused students meeting direct-entry standards April 15 (priority; same as FAFSA)
Languages & Cultures Essay Scholarship Up to $1,000/year Incoming French/German/Spanish students; write an on-campus essay during a visit Yes — in-person essay Renewable up to 3 additional years (department nomination) Language majors/minors who demonstrate proficiency and progress Rolling/visit
Languages & Cultures Study Abroad Award $500 (departmental) Languages & Cultures majors studying abroad (faculty nomination) Departmental process Often one-time Language majors planning approved study abroad Varies/rolling
Lois & Betsy Hamburg UE Scholarship (Vanderburgh Community Foundation) Two awards of ~$5,100 (2025 example) Vanderburgh Co. HS seniors attending UE or current UE students; financial need considered Yes — apply via VCF Not stated (typically one-year) Local students with need who meet VCF criteria and deadline Jan 31 (VCF)

Note: UE caps total institutional gift aid at the equivalent of full-time tuition; departmental and donor awards typically coordinate within that cap. Outside donor funds (like VCF) are applied per UE’s outside-scholarship policy.

Hidden Gem FAQs

Are these programs automatic? Aces Opportunity and Hoosier Aces are automatic if you meet the criteria. Departmental awards (Music, Art, Languages) and donor funds (VCF) require auditions/portfolios or a separate application.

Can these awards stack with merit scholarships? Yes — but UE caps total scholarships at the equivalent of full-time tuition. Housing/meal and donor awards can further reduce out-of-pocket costs.

Do I have to file the FAFSA? Yes — required for AOG/Hoosier Aces and recommended for coordinating institutional and donor aid.

Why not include the “Harding Scholarship Competition” here? UE lists Harding on a prestigious external scholarships page, but it’s not a UE-funded award; we keep the Hidden Gems focused on UE/departmental/ROTC and locally administered donor funds.

Sources:
https://www.evansville.edu/admission/financialaid/scholarships-freshmen.cfm

🎖️ Honors College

The University of Evansville Honors Program gives high-achieving students academic challenge and community. Admission is selective and requires a separate application—students are encouraged to apply by November 1 for the best chance at scholarships and entry. Benefits include priority registration, small seminar classes, opportunities for research/travel support, and access to the Honors residence floor.

What a Typical UE Honors Student Looks Like:
High-achieving high school record (GPA 3.7+), AP/IB/dual credit courses, strong essay, and faculty recommendations. Honors students are involved in service, leadership, and are curious to push beyond the usual curriculum.
Honors Perks:
  • Priority course registration
  • Seminar-style classes with campus thought leaders
  • Honors residence floor (optional)
  • Conference, research, and travel funding
  • Special Honors events and recognition at graduation
Scholarship Award Amount Eligibility Separate App? Renewable? Who Actually Wins? Deadline
Honors Program Scholarship $1,000/year Admitted to UE Honors Program Yes — Honors application Yes (while in Honors and in good standing) Most admitted Honors students; competitive application required May 1 (Fall entry)
Nov 15 (Spring entry)
John C. Moore Honors Scholars Program Full tuition for 4 years Exceptional admitted students; additional Honors/UE application materials, interview, faculty essay Yes — by invitation (separate application) Yes Top 3–5 entering first-years selected each year Nov 1
Other Honors Funding:
  • Project, Research, & Conference Grants: All UE Honors participants may apply for additional funding for internship support, conference travel, or study abroad. Deadlines rolling; awarded as funds last.

Is Honors admission automatic? No. Competitive application is required; admission is holistic, considering grades, essays, and recommendations.

How do scholarships stack? Honors awards are stackable up to the cost of tuition but coordinated with other UE scholarships.

Do I need to file the FAFSA? FAFSA is strongly encouraged for need-based funds and some Honors support.

What if I miss the deadline? Late applicants may be considered if space/funds remain, but priority is given to early applicants.

Sources:
https://www.evansville.edu/academics/honors/
https://www.evansville.edu/admission/financialaid/scholarships-freshmen.cfm

Final Thoughts

Private colleges can feel out of reach, but the University of Evansville shows how merit, state aid, and hidden scholarships can bring costs down dramatically. Whether your student qualifies for automatic awards, lands a recognition scholarship, or takes advantage of Indiana-only programs, there are real ways to make UE affordable. Use this guide as a roadmap — and remember, every dollar in scholarships is one less you’ll have to cover out of pocket.

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