Why is out-of-state tuition so much higher at USI?
Like most public universities, USI charges higher tuition to non-residents because Indiana taxpayers help support the school. The good news: USI has multiple ways for out-of-state students (especially Kentucky students) to reduce that gap through reciprocity and automatic merit.

What’s the difference between “direct/billed” costs and total cost of attendance?
Direct/billed costs are what you typically pay to the university: tuition/fees + housing/meal plan. The total cost of attendance adds indirect expenses like books, transportation, and personal costs used to calculate aid eligibility.

Do Kentucky students get in-state tuition at USI?
Some do. USI participates in a Kentucky reciprocity agreement for residents of certain KY counties (Daviess, Hancock, Henderson, and Union), allowing them to pay in-state tuition & fees. Other students may qualify for Kentucky-specific waivers like the Kentucky Regional Award.

Is the Out-of-State Merit Scholarship really “full tuition”?
It covers the out-of-state tuition difference (bringing tuition down to the in-state level) and adds $2,000/year. Families still need to budget for housing/meal plans and any fees not covered by the waiver.

Can these waivers stack with USI merit scholarships?
Often, yes. For example, USI notes that some waiver recipients may also be eligible for the David L. Rice Merit Scholarship (typically $1,000–$4,000). Stacking rules can vary by award type, so the safest move is to confirm in your USI financial aid offer letter.

Do out-of-state scholarship programs require living on campus?
Yes for the big automatic out-of-state discounts. USI’s Out-of-State Merit and Out-of-State Grant programs require students to live on campus for the first year.

⚠️ The Fine Print Families Miss at USI

• Some big awards replace other aid: Competitive “full tuition/full ride” awards may reduce or replace automatic merit rather than stacking on top.
• Housing requirements can be a deal-breaker: Some out-of-state discounts require living on campus the first year — plan your budget accordingly.
• “Full tuition” usually ≠ full cost: Tuition coverage typically does not include housing, meals, parking, or course fees unless explicitly stated.
• Renewal is based on college GPA: Renewable awards have continuing criteria. Ask what GPA and credit load you must maintain to keep each award.

Do I need a separate scholarship application for automatic merit?
No. Automatic merit scholarships at USI are awarded based on your admission application and academic profile. There is no extra application.

Can improving test scores increase my scholarship?
Yes. Because USI accepts ACT and SAT superscores, submitting higher scores before priority review can move you into a higher merit tier.

Do out-of-state scholarships really bring tuition down to in-state?
In many cases, yes. The Out-of-State Merit Scholarship covers the non-resident tuition difference and adds $2,000 per year, effectively reducing tuition to the in-state level.

Are these scholarships guaranteed for all four years?
They are renewable for up to four years as long as students meet USI’s continuing enrollment and GPA requirements.

Do automatic scholarships stack with competitive awards?
Sometimes. Some competitive scholarships may replace automatic awards rather than stack. Always confirm stacking rules in your official USI award letter.

How are flagship scholarships different from automatic merit?
Flagship awards are limited and competitive. They involve deeper review of leadership, service, essays, and sometimes interviews, while automatic merit is awarded solely on academics.

Can out-of-state students win USI’s flagship scholarships?
Some can. While the Presidential Scholarship is limited to Indiana residents, awards like the Provost and Torain Leadership Scholarships can benefit non-residents—especially when paired with in-state tuition waivers.

Do flagship scholarships stack with automatic merit?
Often they replace automatic merit rather than stack on top of it. Always check your official award letter to see which scholarship is applied.

How competitive are these awards?
Very. The Presidential Scholarship is awarded to a small group of students statewide. Provost and leadership awards are also selective and go to applicants near the top of USI’s incoming class.

What helps an applicant stand out?
Strong academics matter, but leadership depth, service impact, recommendations, and well-written essays often determine who moves from “qualified” to “selected.”

Are hidden gem scholarships “stackable” with merit?
Often, yes — especially donor-funded and department-based awards. But some large tuition waivers may replace other aid rather than stack. The safest approach is to check your award letter and ask financial aid how each award applies to tuition vs. total cost.

Is AwardSpring actually worth doing?
Usually. A single application can unlock dozens (or 100+) smaller scholarships. Even if most awards are $500–$2,500, several can stack together and reduce your out-of-pocket costs meaningfully.

What’s the “Continue the Tradition” award really doing for out-of-state students?
It can waive the out-of-state tuition differential, which is the expensive part of non-resident pricing at public universities. If you’re eligible (alumni child/grandchild), this is one of the fastest ways to get close to in-state tuition.

How competitive is the B/MD scholarship?
Very. It’s tied to admission into the B/MD pathway, which is selective by design. Think of it as a “program + scholarship bundle” for students with a clear pre-med track and a standout academic record.

Do art scholarships require being an art major?
They’re typically tied to the art program and portfolio review. Some schools allow non-majors to submit portfolios for smaller awards, but many require enrollment in an art-related degree. Confirm requirements with the department.

Does being in Honors increase my scholarship amount?
Not automatically. Honors status by itself does not raise automatic merit awards, but it can improve access to flagship scholarships and Honors-only enrichment funding.

Is the Honors Program worth it if there’s no big scholarship?
For many students, yes. Priority registration, smaller classes, faculty mentorship, and funded research or travel opportunities can significantly improve the academic experience and résumé value.

Can out-of-state students join the Honors Program?
Yes. Honors eligibility is based on academic strength, not residency. Out-of-state students often combine Honors with tuition waivers or automatic merit.

How competitive is admission to Honors?
It’s selective but not ultra-exclusive. Students with strong GPAs, rigorous coursework, and good academic habits are typical admits.

Do Honors awards stack with other scholarships?
Yes. Honors stipends for research, travel, or study abroad usually stack on top of merit or flagship awards because they are applied to specific academic expenses.