University of Southern Indiana Scholarships (2026–2027)

← Back to college scholarships hub • See Indiana aid & Grants

Last Updated on September 24, 2026
What This Page Covers:
  • Tuition, housing, and average family net price
  • Automatic merit ranges and qualifier benchmarks
  • Flagship and hidden-gem awards
  • Honors and stacking strategy

📊 Admissions Snapshot

  • Acceptance Rate: ~96%
  • Middle 50% ACT: 21-27
  • Middle 50% SAT: 1030-1240
  • Average GPA: 3.5

USI admits almost everyone who applies. That changes what this page needs to be about. At a school with a 96% acceptance rate, getting in is not the hard part and it is not where families lose money. The money is decided by three things: your student’s GPA, the county you live in, and whether the paperwork lands before the deadline.

USI reviews applications on a rolling basis, so there is no single dramatic cutoff. That is exactly what makes it dangerous. Nothing forces you to act, and the biggest awards quietly close in early November of senior year.

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

📌 University of Southern Indiana at a Glance

🏆 Full tuition available (Presidential, Provost and B/MD Scholarships)
Average Net Price
$12,621/year (in-state estimate)
Average paid for residents.
Automatic Merit
$1,000 to $12,000/yr
No separate application.
Scholarships Tracked
18 opportunities
8 automatic · 5 competitive · 5 hidden gem
Typical Qualifiers
GPA-based; no test score needed for automatic merit
Entry-level benchmarks for automatic merit.
Testing Policy
Test-optional
Superscores ACT/SAT.
Key Deadlines
Priority: Dec 1 • FAFSA: Apr 15
Full-Tuition / Full-Ride
Presidential, Provost & B/MD
Honors College
Honors Program Available
Residency & Waivers
Special Waivers Available
🚨 Easy-to-Miss “Gotchas” at USI (Read This First)

  • Renewal takes 27 credit hours, not 12. This is the single most expensive thing on this page. Almost every USI award requires 27 earned hours per academic year. A student taking 12 in the fall and 12 in the spring is a full-time student in good standing who just lost their scholarship. You need roughly 15 and 12, or 14 and 13.
  • Test-optional for admission and for automatic merit, test-required for the big awards. The Rice award and every out-of-state award run on GPA alone. The Presidential, Provost, Dean’s and B/MD awards all require a 27 ACT or 1280 SAT. Skipping the test costs your student nothing until it costs them everything.
  • The two biggest awards treat retakes in opposite ways. The Presidential Scholarship considers superscores. The B/MD Scholarship states plainly that no superscores are accepted for either test. Same school, same week in November, different rules.
  • Most out-of-state money requires living on campus year one. The Out-of-State Merit, Out-of-State Grant, Illinois Regional and Kentucky Regional awards all carry this string. Exceptions are made only for students living at home with parents within commuting distance.
  • The real deadlines are in November, not December. B/MD closes November 4 and the Presidential closes November 20. Late applications are not accepted for the Torain award.
  • USI does not publish the Rice GPA grid. They publish the range ($1,000 to $4,000) and nothing else. You find out your number when the admission offer arrives, which is why applying early matters more than usual.
  • Common App works, but USI’s own application is usually the better move. USI accepts the Common App for freshmen and transfers, with no essay and no recommendation letter required. Every fee waiver USI runs, though, uses a promo code that only works on their own application at usi.edu/apply. If a waiver window is open, applying direct saves you the $40.

FAQ

Is this college test-optional? Yes, for admission. University of Southern Indiana is test-optional for admission.

What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 21-27; SAT: 1030-1240.

Average net price? About $12,621/year after aid.

Does this school use waivers/reciprocity? Yes. Institutional waivers are available.

Sources:
USI Presidential Scholarship page: https://www.usi.edu/admissions/scholarships/presidential-scholarship
USI David L. Rice Merit Scholarship guidelines page: https://www.usi.edu/financial-aid/manage-your-aid/scholarship-guidelines/david-l-rice-merit-scholarship
University scholarship page: https://www.usi.edu/admissions/scholarships/other-states
USI Illinois Regional Award guidelines page: https://www.usi.edu/financial-aid/manage-your-aid/scholarship-guidelines/illinois-regional-award
USI AwardSpring Scholarships page: https://www.usi.edu/admissions/scholarships/awardspring-scholarships
USI Pre-Medicine B/MD Scholarship page: https://www.usi.edu/science/pre-professional-studies/pre-medicine/bmd-scholarship
USI Provost Scholarship guidelines page: https://www.usi.edu/financial-aid/manage-your-aid/scholarship-guidelines/provost-scholarship
USI Indiana Freshman Scholarships page: https://www.usi.edu/admissions/scholarships/indiana-freshman-scholarships
USI Kentucky Freshman Scholarships page: https://www.usi.edu/admissions/scholarships/kentucky-freshman-scholarships
USI Alumni Scholarships page: https://www.usi.edu/alumni/about-alumni/alumni-scholarships
USI Dean's Scholarship guidelines page: https://www.usi.edu/financial-aid/manage-your-aid/scholarship-guidelines/deans-scholarship
USI Out-of-State Merit Scholarship guidelines page: https://www.usi.edu/financial-aid/manage-your-aid/scholarship-guidelines/out-of-state-merit-scholarship
USI Harolyn Atwater Torain Leadership Scholarship page: https://www.usi.edu/admissions/scholarships/leadership-scholarship
USI Study Abroad Scholarships page: https://www.usi.edu/international/study-abroad/steps-to-study-abroad/study-abroad-scholarships
USI Out-of-State Grant Scholarship guidelines page: https://www.usi.edu/financial-aid/manage-your-aid/scholarship-guidelines/out-of-state-grant-scholarship
USI Transfer Students scholarships page: https://www.usi.edu/admissions/scholarships/transfer-students
USI Out-of-State Transfer Grant guidelines page: https://www.usi.edu/financial-aid/manage-your-aid/scholarship-guidelines/out-of-state-transfer-grant
CollegeScorecard / Admissions: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/

💰 Cost of Attendance at University of Southern Indiana: 2026–2027 Rates

Figures verified against official sources in September 2026.

📅 Planning for 2027–2028? These are the 2026–2027 rates, the newest University of Southern Indiana has published. Colleges usually release next year's costs in the spring, and we update this page when they do.

Budgeting tip: costs typically rise 2% to 5% a year. For 2027–2028, plan on roughly $500 to $1,100 more than the in-state total below. $700 to $1,800 more than the out-of-state total below.

In-State: billed cost per year
$22,978
Tuition, fees, housing, and meals for two semesters
Tuition & mandatory fees $10,512
Housing & meals (typical) $12,466
Total billed cost $22,978
Out-of-State: billed cost per year
$35,819
Tuition, fees, housing, and meals for two semesters
Tuition & mandatory fees $23,353
Housing & meals (typical) $12,466
Total billed cost $35,819

That is $12,841 more per year than Indiana residents pay, before any waivers or scholarships.

Average federal net price: $12,621 per year. This is what first-time, full-time students who received grant aid paid after grants and scholarships, for in-state students only, based on the most recent federal data. It counts books and living costs, so it can run higher than the billed total above. Families who got no grants are not in this average, so many middle-income families pay more. New to Net Price & SAI? Read our guide.

Out-of-state families: this average does not include you. Run the college's own net price calculator for a number based on your situation.

📌 Regional Tuition & Waiver Options

USI's regional map is bigger than most families expect. Students from these areas pay at or near the Indiana rate:

  • Kentucky Reciprocity (in-state tuition and fees): Daviess, Hancock, Henderson and Union counties.
  • Kentucky Regional Award (covers the out-of-state tuition gap): Hopkins, Jefferson, McLean, Muhlenberg, Ohio and Webster counties. USI's award guidelines page leaves McLean off this list, so McLean County families should confirm directly with USI.
  • Illinois Regional Award (covers the out-of-state tuition gap): 32 Illinois counties, including Cook, Madison, St. Clair, Monroe, Jackson and Williamson. The full list is on USI's Illinois scholarships page.
  • Everyone else: the Out-of-State Merit Scholarship (3.5+ GPA, pays the tuition gap plus $2,000 a year) or the Out-of-State Grant ($9,000 a year for a 2.75 to 3.49 GPA).

Regional and Continue the Tradition (legacy) students can also receive a $1,000 to $4,000 Rice Merit Scholarship on top. The regional and out-of-state awards require living on campus the first year, unless the student lives at home with parents within commuting distance.

The USI Geography Test (Worth Thousands)

Before you look at the out-of-state column, check your county. USI has one of the widest regional pricing maps of any public university in the Midwest, and it is the difference between paying $23,353 in tuition and paying $10,512.

  • Pay the Indiana rate outright: Daviess, Hancock, Henderson and Union counties in Kentucky, through the Indiana and Kentucky reciprocity agreement.
  • Get the gap covered by an award: Hopkins, Jefferson, McLean, Muhlenberg, Ohio and Webster counties in Kentucky, plus 32 Illinois counties including Cook, Madison, St. Clair, Monroe, Jackson and Williamson. Yes, Chicago is on that list.
  • Everyone else: a 3.5 GPA gets the Out-of-State Merit Scholarship, which pays the tuition gap plus $2,000 a year. A 2.75 to 3.49 GPA gets the $9,000 Out-of-State Grant.

One caution on McLean County. USI’s admissions page includes it in the Kentucky Regional list and USI’s scholarship guidelines page leaves it off. If you live in McLean County, call admissions and get the answer in writing before you build a budget around it.

FAQ – Cost of Attendance at the University of Southern Indiana

Can an out-of-state student really pay close to the Indiana rate?
Yes, and more easily than at most public universities. If you live in one of the qualifying Kentucky or Illinois counties, a regional award covers the entire out-of-state tuition gap. If you live anywhere else in the country and your student has a 3.5 GPA, the Out-of-State Merit Scholarship covers that gap and adds $2,000 a year on top. The main condition is living on campus the first year.

Does a Chicago family really qualify?
Cook County is on USI’s Illinois Regional Award list, along with 31 other counties. Any first-time freshman from a qualifying county receives the award automatically with admission, with no separate application and no GPA minimum stated. The catch is the same one everyone faces: live on campus the first year.

Why do housing and food show as one number?
USI publishes them separately in its official cost of attendance, at $6,594 for housing and $5,872 for food, both identical for residents and non-residents. We combine them here because that is how families actually budget. Your real number moves with the room type and meal plan you pick.

Why is the net price so much lower than the sticker price?
Because almost nobody pays sticker at USI. Between the Rice award, the regional awards and the out-of-state awards, most admitted students get something automatically. The net price figure is the federal average of what families actually paid after grants and scholarships.

Is the FAFSA deadline really April 15?
For Indiana state aid, yes, and it is firm. April 15 is the state’s deadline for programs like the 21st Century Scholar Award. Missing it does not cost you federal aid, but it can cost you state money you would have received. File in the fall and stop thinking about it.

What is the one cost mistake families make here?
Planning to commute or live off campus freshman year while counting on an out-of-state award. The regional, Out-of-State Merit and Out-of-State Grant awards all require living on campus the first year. Saving on rent can cost you five figures in scholarship.

Sources:
https://www.usi.edu/financial-aid/cost-of-attendance/2026-2027-cost-of-attendance
https://www.usi.edu/bursar/tuition-fees
https://www.usi.edu/admissions/scholarships/illinois-freshman-scholarships
https://www.usi.edu/admissions/scholarships/kentucky-freshman-scholarships

📅 USI Scholarship Timeline (Simple Version)

  • September 14: AwardSpring opens in myUSI for USI Foundation scholarships.
  • Early November: the two biggest competitive awards close. B/MD on November 4, Presidential on November 20.
  • December 1: Torain Leadership application closes, late submissions not accepted. Also the admission deadline that puts a student in the Dean’s Scholarship pool.
  • End of January: AwardSpring closes for the following academic year.
  • April 15: FAFSA deadline for Indiana state aid.

Parent rule of thumb: the automatic awards are rolling, but they are set from the admission application. Apply in the fall of senior year and every automatic award is already decided before the competitive deadlines arrive.

Automatic Merit Scholarships – University of Southern Indiana

Every award below is granted from the admission application. No essays, no interviews, no separate forms. USI does not require a test score for any of them, which means a strong GPA alone can carry a student to a meaningful award. What you qualify for depends on where you live as much as how you did in high school.
Find your student's tier
Enter the numbers you have. We'll highlight the automatic award your student would actually get and tuck the rest out of the way. Leave it blank to browse everything.
Residency
Based on published cutoffs for entering freshmen. Always verify with the college before finalizing plans.
One award, not a pile. Colleges apply your student's single best automatic award. Automatic scholarships almost never stack with each other, though some stack with housing, departmental, or outside money. The stacking notes on each card tell you which.
Automatic
David L. Rice Merit Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Rolling (awarded with admission)
✓ Renews (2.5 GPA, 4 yrs)
$1,000–$4,000/yr
✔ Stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with Kentucky Reciprocity, the Kentucky Regional Award, the Illinois Regional Award and the Continue the Tradition Award. The Torain Leadership Scholarship replaces it. B/MD recipients keep it. USI does not spell out how Rice interacts with the Presidential, Provost or Dean's awards, so check the award letter.
💡
Strategic Detail
USI publishes the award range ($1,000 to $4,000 a year) but not the GPA grid behind it. The amount is set from the admission application. Renewal requires 27 earned credit hours each fall/spring year, continuous full-time enrollment, and a cumulative GPA of 2.50 for awards up to $2,999 or 2.75 for awards of $3,000 or more. Hours and GPA are checked after each spring semester. A shortfall can be made up with summer classes at USI, followed by a written appeal. Usable for 8 consecutive semesters.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Indiana residents, students from USI's Kentucky and Illinois regional counties, and out-of-state students with a parent or grandparent who earned a USI degree. Higher GPAs earn more, but USI does not publish the cutoffs, so the admission offer is where you learn the exact number.
Automaticgeographic
Illinois Regional Award
📅 Deadline: Rolling (awarded with admission)
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Varies
✔ Stackable
⚠  Limited to residents of 32 qualifying Illinois counties
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with the $1,000 to $4,000 Rice Merit Scholarship. The Torain Leadership Scholarship replaces it.
💡
Strategic Detail
Pays the difference between non-resident and Indiana resident tuition each year. Renewal requires only USI Academic Good Standing and continuous full-time enrollment, with no separate GPA floor or 27-hour rule. Usable for 4 consecutive years. On-campus living is required the first year unless the student lives at home with parents within commuting distance. Qualifying counties: Alexander, Clay, Clinton, Cook, Crawford, Edwards, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Lawrence, Madison, Marion, Massac, Monroe, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, Richland, Saline, St. Clair, Union, Wabash, Washington, Wayne, White, Williamson.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: First-time freshmen from any of 32 qualifying Illinois counties, including Cook, Madison, St. Clair, Monroe, Jackson and Williamson. No GPA minimum is listed. If your county is on the list and your student is admitted, the award follows.
Automaticgeographic
Kentucky Regional Award
📅 Deadline: Rolling (awarded with admission)
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Varies
✔ Stackable
⚠  Limited to residents of qualifying Kentucky counties
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with the $1,000 to $4,000 Rice Merit Scholarship. The Torain Leadership Scholarship replaces it.
💡
Strategic Detail
Pays the difference between non-resident and Indiana resident tuition each year. Renewal requires only USI Academic Good Standing and continuous full-time enrollment, with no separate GPA floor or 27-hour rule. Usable for 4 consecutive years. On-campus living is required the first year unless the student lives at home with parents within commuting distance. USI's admissions page lists six counties including McLean; the award guidelines page lists five and omits McLean, so McLean County families should confirm with USI.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
First-time freshmen from Hopkins, Jefferson, McLean, Muhlenberg, Ohio or Webster County, Kentucky. No GPA minimum is listed. Students from Daviess, Hancock, Henderson and Union counties do not need this award because they already pay in-state rates through the Kentucky reciprocity agreement.
Automatic
Out-of-State Merit Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Rolling (awarded with admission)
✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
$12,000/yr
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.5+ GPA
✚
Stacking & Combining
Does not come with a Rice award, since Rice is limited to Indiana, regional-county and legacy students. USI Foundation scholarships through AwardSpring can be added on top. Covers the tuition gap plus $2,000; it does not cover housing or meals.
💡
Strategic Detail
Pays the difference between non-resident and Indiana resident tuition plus an additional $2,000 per year — current total value is more than $12,000 annually. Renewal requires a 3.0 cumulative GPA, 27 credit hours completed per year, and continuous full-time enrollment. Not available for fully online programs.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: High-achieving out-of-state freshmen with at least a 3.5 GPA who are willing to live on campus year one. At more than $12,000 annually, this can dramatically close the gap between in-state and out-of-state pricing at USI.
Automatic
Out-of-State Grant Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Rolling
✓ Renews (2 GPA, 4 yrs)
$9,000/yr
✔ Stackable
🏫 2.8+ GPA
✚
Stacking & Combining
Does not come with a Rice award, since Rice is limited to Indiana, regional-county and legacy students. USI Foundation scholarships through AwardSpring can be added on top. Students must remain non-residents and live on campus the first year.
💡
Strategic Detail
Provides a $9,000 annual tuition discount for eligible out-of-state freshmen who live on campus their first year. Renewal requires full-time enrollment, completion of 27 credit hours per year, and a 2.0 cumulative GPA. Funding availability may limit offers, so applying early matters.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Out-of-state freshmen with cumulative GPAs between 2.75 and 3.49 who need a meaningful tuition break to make USI financially viable. The on-campus living requirement is the main hoop to clear.
Automatic⚠ Transfer Only
Transfer Merit Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Rolling
✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
$1,500/yr
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.0+ GPA🎓 Transfer
✚
Stacking & Combining
Can be combined with USI Foundation scholarships through AwardSpring. Larger competitive awards may replace it.
💡
Strategic Detail
Provides $1,500 per academic year toward allowable USI billable charges. Designated for Indiana residents and qualifying reciprocity or IECC/SIC transfers. Renewal requires full-time enrollment, completion of 24 credit hours per academic year, and a 3.0 cumulative GPA. Students who have already earned a bachelor's degree are not eligible.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Indiana transfer students and students from qualifying Kentucky reciprocity counties, Illinois Eastern Community Colleges, or Southeastern Illinois College who have at least 24 credits and a 3.0 or higher GPA. No extra application needed. It's automatic.
Automatic⚠ Transfer Only
Out-of-State Transfer Top Scholar Award
📅 Deadline: Rolling
✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
Varies
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.3+ GPA🎓 Transfer
✚
Stacking & Combining
Can be combined with USI Foundation scholarships through AwardSpring. Offers may be limited by funding.
💡
Strategic Detail
Pays the difference between non-resident and Indiana resident tuition for out-of-state transfers with 24+ transferable credits and a 3.25+ cumulative transfer GPA. Renewal requires a 3.0 cumulative GPA, continuous full-time enrollment, and 27 earned credit hours each fall/spring year. Funding is limited, so apply early. Not available for fully online programs.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
High-performing out-of-state transfer students with at least 24 transferable credits and a 3.25+ cumulative GPA. This award essentially brings your tuition cost down to what Indiana residents pay. That's a significant automatic win for strong transfer students.
Automatic⚠ Transfer Only
Out-of-State Transfer Grant
📅 Deadline: Rolling
✓ Renews (2 GPA, 4 yrs)
$9,000/yr
✔ Stackable
🏫 2.8+ GPA🎓 Transfer
✚
Stacking & Combining
Can be combined with USI Foundation scholarships through AwardSpring. Offers may be limited by funding; students must remain non-residents.
💡
Strategic Detail
Provides a $9,000 annual tuition discount for out-of-state transfers with a 2.75–3.24 cumulative GPA and at least 24 transferable credits. Renewal requires a 2.0 cumulative GPA, full-time enrollment, and completion of 27 credit hours per year. Apply early — funding is limited. Not available for fully online programs.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Out-of-state transfer students with 24+ transferable credit hours and a cumulative transfer GPA between 2.75 and 3.24. If your GPA is in that range and you're coming from outside Indiana, this is an automatic $9,000 discount with no extra paperwork.
Data last verified Sep 21, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.

🧠 Parent Strategy: The 27-Hour Rule

This is the quiet one that ends scholarships at USI. Full-time enrollment is 12 credit hours a semester. Scholarship renewal is 27 earned hours a year. A student can be enrolled full time, in good academic standing, passing everything, and still lose the award by finishing the year with 24 hours.

  • Plan 15 and 12, or 14 and 13. Do not plan 12 and 12.
  • A dropped class in October is a scholarship problem in May, not just a schedule problem.
  • Hours and GPA are checked at the end of each spring semester.
  • A shortfall can be made up with summer classes at USI at your own expense, followed by a written appeal.

The exceptions are worth knowing. The Illinois Regional and Kentucky Regional awards renew on Academic Good Standing and full-time enrollment alone, with no 27-hour rule and no GPA floor. The Torain award renews at 24 hours. Everything else on this page runs on 27.

Note: USI publishes the Rice award range of $1,000 to $4,000 a year but does not publish the GPA grid that sets the amount. Anyone quoting you exact cutoffs is guessing. Your student’s number arrives with the admission offer.

Automatic Merit – FAQs (University of Southern Indiana)

Should we apply through the Common App or USI’s own application?
Either one works. USI is a Common App member for both freshmen and transfers, and the Common App version requires no personal essay and no letter of recommendation. That said, USI runs periodic application fee waivers, and those promo codes only work on USI’s own application at usi.edu/apply. If a waiver window is open, apply direct and keep the $40. Whichever route you pick, automatic merit is awarded the same way, from the admission credentials.

Does the Common App cover the scholarship applications too?
No, and this trips people up. The Presidential, B/MD and Torain applications are separate USI forms with their own deadlines in November and December. Submitting an admission application through the Common App does not enter your student into any of them.

Do we need a test score for any of this?
No. Every automatic award at USI runs on GPA and residency. Test scores only matter for the four competitive awards in the next section.

What GPA gets the full $4,000 Rice award?
USI does not say publicly. They publish the range and award the amount from the admission application’s academic credentials. Higher GPA means more money, but the exact thresholds are not disclosed and can change year to year, since USI re-evaluates criteria each June.

Can my out-of-state student get the Rice award too?
Only if you are in a qualifying Kentucky or Illinois county, or you qualify for the Continue the Tradition legacy waiver. Those students receive a regional award or waiver and a Rice award on top. Students getting the Out-of-State Merit or Out-of-State Grant do not also get Rice.

Is there a deadline for automatic merit?
Not a hard one. USI reviews on a rolling basis and awards these with admission. But applications received after priority dates are considered on a space-available basis, and funding for the out-of-state awards is explicitly limited. Early is the entire strategy.

Are transfer students eligible?
Yes, and USI is unusually good here. Indiana transfers and those from reciprocity counties or IECC and Southeastern Illinois College get $1,500 a year with 24 transferable hours and a 3.0. Out-of-state transfers with a 3.25 get the entire tuition gap covered, and those with a 2.75 to 3.24 get $9,000. Students who already hold a bachelor’s degree are not eligible.

What happens if my student’s GPA slips?
Renewal GPA depends on the award size. Rice awards of $3,000 or more need a 2.75 cumulative GPA; awards of $2,999 or less need a 2.50. The out-of-state awards sit at 2.0 for the Grant and 3.0 for the Merit and Transfer Top Scholar awards. Falling short triggers a probation or appeal process rather than an instant loss, but you have to act on it.

Sources:
https://www.usi.edu/financial-aid/manage-your-aid/scholarship-guidelines/david-l-rice-merit-scholarship
https://www.usi.edu/admissions/scholarships/indiana-freshman-scholarships
https://www.usi.edu/admissions/scholarships/other-states
https://www.usi.edu/admissions/scholarships/transfer-students

🏆 Flagship Scholarships (Competitive Scholarships)

Here is where USI stops being a GPA-only school. All four of the awards that cover full tuition require a 27 ACT or 1280 SAT, and three of the four run through one application with a November deadline. A student who goes test-optional is still eligible for every automatic award on this page and is shut out of every award in this section.

✅ Can You Stack Scholarships at USI?

Aid Type Stacks with Merit? USI Parent Translation
Rice + a regional award or legacy waiver Yes USI says so directly. Reciprocity, Kentucky Regional, Illinois Regional and Continue the Tradition students all receive a Rice award on top.
B/MD + Rice Yes The only flagship award that explicitly lets students keep the Rice Scholarship, plus research funding on top.
Presidential / Provost / Dean’s Not with each other These are one pipeline, not three chances. The Dean’s award is not given alongside the Presidential, Provost or B/MD award.
Torain Leadership No, it replaces USI states it supersedes Rice, Illinois Regional, Kentucky Regional, Dean’s and Provost awards. At $5,000 a year it is usually the better deal, but it replaces rather than adds.
USI Foundation (AwardSpring) Usually yes These are the gap fillers. Subject to overall cost-of-attendance limits and individual donor rules.
Need-based grants Usually Presidential Scholars are expected to apply for and accept all gift aid they qualify for, which frees up funds for the next class.

The practical read: one competitive application, filed by November 20, puts your student in the running for three different awards at once. USI screens Presidential applicants first for the Presidential, then for the Provost, then for the Dean’s. Nobody applies separately for Provost or Dean’s.

Full RideApp Required
Presidential Scholarship
📅 Deadline: November 20, 2026 (application and supplemental items); recommendation letters by 12 p.m. CT November 23; official test scores by November 25  ·  📢 Results: March 1, 2027
✓ Renews (3.2 GPA, 4 yrs)
Full Ride
full tuition, required fees, housing allowance, book allowance, and meal plan value
✘ Not stackable
🏫 4.0+ GPA✎ ~27 ACT✎ ~1280 SAT👥 ~10 Presidential Scholars selected annually winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
Covers tuition and fees, housing, a book allowance of $600 per semester, and the value of the largest meal plan. State and federal grants plus outside awards are applied first; total aid cannot exceed the USI cost of attendance. Generally replaces all other institutional merit scholarships.
📄
How to Apply
Apply for USI admission, then complete the Presidential Scholarship application by November 20, 2026. Recommendation letters are due by 12 p.m. CT on November 23, and official test scores must arrive by November 25. Students testing in early November can send a preliminary score report by the application deadline. Finalists attend an interview and information day on February 4-5, 2027. Recipients are notified March 1, 2027.
Selection criteria: Holistic review emphasizing academic record, test scores, leadership, service, recommendation strength, and performance in the February interview day.
✎ Essays🎤 Interview💌 Letters of Rec🌟 Finalist Event
💡
Strategic Detail
Covers full tuition and fees, room (four-occupant suite rate), $600/semester book allowance, and the value of the largest meal plan. Renewable for up to 8 consecutive semesters; renewal requires 27 credit hours per year and a cumulative GPA of 3.2 for 0–59 hours, then 3.4 thereafter. Only Indiana residents are eligible. Approximate annual value is $22,000+ for 2025-2026.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
About ten top-tier Indiana high school seniors each year: students with 4.0 GPAs, at least a 27 ACT or 1280 SAT, and exceptional essays, recommendations, and interview presence. This is USI's most selective and prestigious award. The interview day in February is the real differentiator.
Full TuitionApp Required
Baccalaureate/Doctor of Medicine (B/MD) Scholarship
📅 Deadline: November 4, 2026 (B/MD and USI admission applications); recommendation letters by November 6  ·  📢 Results: Late December 2026
✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
Full Tuition
full tuition waiver (undergraduate) plus provisional IU School of Medicine acceptance
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.5+ GPA✎ ~27 ACT✎ ~1280 SAT👥 ~8 scholarships awarded annually winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
Recipients may also retain the David L. Rice Scholarship in addition to the B/MD full tuition waiver. Cannot be awarded alongside the Presidential, Provost, or Dean's Scholarship.
📄
How to Apply
Submit the USI admission application and the separate B/MD application by November 4, 2026. The application includes academic information, extracurriculars, an essay on interest in medicine, an essay on interest in USI, and three online recommendations (high school counselor, high school science teacher, and a non-relative personal reference) due by November 6. Interview invitations go out in late November, interviews are held on campus in early December, and recipients are notified in late December.
Selection criteria: B/MD Advisory Committee reviews applications and conducts interviews; selected applications are then forwarded to the IU School of Medicine Admissions Committee for provisional acceptance. Academic record, test scores, essay quality, letters of recommendation, and interview performance are all evaluated.
✎ Essays🎤 Interview💌 Letters of Rec🌟 Finalist Event
💡
Strategic Detail
Full tuition waiver for up to 8 undergraduate semesters, plus funding for undergraduate research. Recipients keep their Rice Scholarship. To keep the provisional seat at IU School of Medicine-Evansville, students need a 3.0 cumulative GPA through the first 31 hours and 3.5 from 62 hours on, an MCAT score at or above the average of IU School of Medicine's previous entering class, the required B/MD coursework, and a completed AMCAS application and interview. Renewal also requires 27 earned hours each fall/spring year. Indiana residents only. Superscores are not accepted.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: About eight Indiana high school seniors a year who are set on becoming physicians. The bar is a 3.5+ GPA and a single-sitting 27 ACT or 1280 SAT (no superscores), plus essays, three recommendations and an on-campus interview in early December. The payoff is full undergraduate tuition and a provisional seat at IU School of Medicine-Evansville.
Full TuitionApp Required
Provost Scholarship
📅 Deadline: November 20, 2026 (considered through the Presidential Scholarship application)
✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
Full Tuition
full tuition
✘ Not stackable
⚠  High‑achieving Indiana freshmen considered for the Presidential Scholarship may instead receive the Provost Scholarship, which pays full USI tuition for four years
🏫 4.0+ GPA✎ ~27 ACT✎ ~1280 SAT
✚
Stacking & Combining
Cannot be stacked with the Presidential, Dean's, or B/MD Scholarship, and typically replaces automatic Rice or regional awards. No cash refunds are issued from this scholarship.
📄
How to Apply
Complete the USI admission process and Presidential Scholarship application by the November deadline; students who meet Presidential criteria but are not selected for the Presidential award are automatically considered for the Provost Scholarship by the financial aid office.
Selection criteria: Students who meet Presidential criteria but are not selected as Presidential Scholars are competitively reviewed for the Provost award based on academic strength and funding availability.
✎ Essays💌 Letters of Rec
💡
Strategic Detail
Pays full USI tuition for up to 4 years/8 semesters or until the first bachelor's degree. Renewal requires 27 earned hours each fall/spring year and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 through 59 hours, then 3.2. Candidates are students who meet every Presidential Scholarship requirement but are not selected as Presidential Scholars, which in practice limits it to Indiana residents. USI's Provost guidelines page (last revised 2018) still says the Presidential application is due March 1 of senior year; the admissions office lists November 20, 2026. Use the November date.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Top freshmen who hit the Presidential Scholarship bar (4.0 GPA, 27 ACT or 1280 SAT) but weren't among the ten chosen for the Presidential award. If your student applies for Presidential and doesn't land one of those ten spots, the Provost Scholarship is the very strong consolation: full tuition for four years.
App Required
Dean's Scholarship
📅 Deadline: December 1, 2026 (USI admission application); Presidential Scholarship application November 20, 2026
✓ Renews (2.5 GPA, 4 yrs)
$2,000/yr
✘ Not stackable
🏫 4.0+ GPA✎ ~27 ACT✎ ~1280 SAT
✚
Stacking & Combining
Cannot be awarded alongside the Presidential, Provost, or B/MD Scholarship. Supersedes other admission-based awards.
📄
How to Apply
Complete the USI admission application by December 1 of senior year. Students who meet the Presidential Scholarship requirements but are not chosen for the Presidential or Provost award are considered by the financial aid office. Applying for the Presidential Scholarship by November 20 is the surest way to be in the pool.
Selection criteria: Awarded to top Presidential Scholarship applicants not selected for the Presidential or Provost award; selection based on academic credentials and funding availability.
✎ Essays💌 Letters of Rec
💡
Strategic Detail
Up to $2,000 per academic year for up to 4 years/8 semesters or first bachelor's degree, whichever comes first. Admission application must be completed by December 1 of the student's senior year. Renewal GPA scales with hours: 2.5 for 0–59 hours, 2.75 for 60–89, and 3.0 thereafter. Students must complete 27 credit hours annually. Cannot be stacked with Presidential, Provost, or B/MD awards.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Initially matriculating freshmen who met the Presidential Scholarship's academic bar (4.0 GPA, 27 ACT or 1280 SAT) but were not selected for the Presidential or Provost award. Think of it as the next tier down in USI's flagship scholarship pipeline for top Indiana seniors.
App Required
Harolyn Atwater Torain Leadership Scholarship
📅 Deadline: December 1, 2026 (USI application, Torain application and supplemental items; late applications not accepted)  ·  📢 Results: March 1, 2027 (tentative)
✓ Renews (2.5 GPA, 4 yrs)
$5,000/yr
✘ Not stackable
🏫 3.0+ GPA👥 ~20 scholarships awarded annually winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
This award supersedes all other USI admissions-based scholarships, including the Rice, Illinois Regional, Kentucky Regional, Dean's, and Provost awards. It cannot be stacked with those programs.
📄
How to Apply
Apply for admission to USI, then submit the online Harolyn Atwater Torain Leadership Scholarship application by December 1, 2026. Late applications are not accepted. Prepare a list of activities and offices held, a list of awards, and two essays of 250 words or less (demonstrated leadership, and working with peers from different cultures, communities or viewpoints). Finalists attend Interview Day on February 13, 2027.
Selection criteria: Selection committee evaluates GPA, documented leadership and cross-cultural engagement, quality of application essays, and performance in the February interview.
✎ Essays🎤 Interview🌟 Finalist Event
💡
Strategic Detail
Pays $5,000 per year ($2,500 each semester) for up to 8 consecutive semesters — potential total value of $20,000. First-year recipients must live on campus. Renewal requires completing 24 USI credit hours per academic year, maintaining a 2.50 cumulative GPA, and active participation in the Inclusive Excellence Program. A total of 20 scholarships are awarded each year.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Freshmen with at least a 3.0 GPA and a genuine record of leadership in school or community organizations, especially students who've worked across cultures or communities. The program also values civic engagement. There are 20 spots available annually, and the interview matters as much as the application.
Data last verified Sep 21, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.

❓ Flagship and Competitive Scholarship FAQs

What are the actual deadlines?
B/MD closes November 4, 2026, with recommendation letters due November 6. The Presidential application closes November 20, 2026, with letters due by noon Central on November 23 and official test scores by November 25. The Torain application closes December 1, 2026 and late applications are not accepted.

USI’s own pages give two different Presidential deadlines. Which is right?
Use November 20. The Provost Scholarship guidelines page still says the Presidential application is due March 1 of senior year, but that page was last revised in 2018. The admissions office publishes the current calendar with specific dates for the coming cycle. When two pages at a school disagree, trust the one with this year’s dates on it, and call admissions if you are cutting it close.

Does USI superscore for these awards?
It depends on the award, which is unusual and easy to get wrong. The Presidential Scholarship says superscores will be considered. The B/MD Scholarship says no superscores are accepted for either test. If your student is chasing B/MD, one sitting has to clear 27 ACT or 1280 SAT on its own.

How many of each are given?
Ten Presidential Scholars, about eight B/MD Scholars, and twenty Torain Leadership Scholars each year. USI does not publish a count for the Provost or Dean’s awards, which are filled from the Presidential applicant pool based on academic strength and available funding.

What if my student misses the Presidential?
That is what the Provost and Dean’s awards exist for. The Provost pays full tuition for four years and goes to students who met every Presidential requirement but were not among the ten selected. The Dean’s award is up to $2,000 a year for the next group down. Applying for the Presidential is how you get considered for both.

Is the Presidential really a full ride?
Close to it. It covers full tuition and fees, housing, a $600 per semester book allowance, and the value of the largest meal plan, for up to eight semesters. Indiana residents only. Renewal takes 27 hours a year and a 3.2 GPA through 59 hours, then 3.4.

What should students prepare?
Essays and interviews decide these. The Presidential runs a February 4-5 interview and information day, the Torain a February 13 interview day, and B/MD interviews happen on campus in early December. Our Essay Toolkit and Brag Sheet Builder help organize the activity lists and essays these applications ask for.

Is USI a National Merit or Stamps partner?
No to both. USI does not participate in either program.

Sources:
https://www.usi.edu/admissions/scholarships/presidential-scholarship
https://www.usi.edu/science/pre-professional-studies/pre-medicine/bmd-scholarship
https://www.usi.edu/admissions/scholarships/leadership-scholarship
https://www.usi.edu/financial-aid/manage-your-aid/scholarship-guidelines/provost-scholarship
https://www.usi.edu/financial-aid/manage-your-aid/scholarship-guidelines/deans-scholarship

🧠 Parent Strategy: AwardSpring Is the Second Application Nobody Opens

Getting admitted to USI does not mean your student applied for all the money. The USI Foundation runs its scholarships through a separate portal called AwardSpring, inside myUSI. One application matches a student to every Foundation and Alumni Association award they qualify for.

  1. Log into myUSI and open AwardSpring. It goes live September 14.
  2. Complete the whole application. Admission data pre-fills, but a partial application does not count.
  3. Submit before the end of January. Recipients are chosen in the spring.
  4. Do it again next year. A new application is required every single academic year.

Parent translation: skip AwardSpring and your student still keeps their Rice or out-of-state award. They just never see the donor money that fills the gap between merit aid and the actual bill.

💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships

These are not automatic. Each one takes a form, a portfolio, or a piece of paperwork most families never file. They also stack, which is what makes them worth the trouble.

App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Continue the Tradition Award
📅 Deadline: Rolling (submit alumni verification as early as possible)
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Varies
✔ Stackable
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Provides a tuition waiver that nets non-resident tuition down to the Indiana resident rate and can be combined with David L. Rice Merit Scholarships for additional discount.
📄
How to Apply
Apply for admission to USI as a non-Indiana resident, then submit alumni relationship verification so the out-of-state tuition waiver can be applied.
Selection criteria: Awarded based on verified alumni relationship and non-resident status rather than academic competition.
💡
Strategic Detail
Available to non-Indiana residents admissible to USI who have a biological or adopted parent or grandparent with a USI bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree; language about stacking with David L. Rice appears across multiple freshman and transfer scholarship pages.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Non-resident students who document that a parent or grandparent earned a USI degree and complete the verification process early.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
AwardSpring Foundation Scholarships
📅 Deadline: End of January (application opens September 14 in myUSI)  ·  📢 Results: Spring 2027
Non-Renewable
Varies
✔ Stackable
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Many awards are stackable with merit and other aid but are subject to overall cost-of-attendance and donor criteria; some individual scholarships may have their own restrictions.
📄
How to Apply
Log in to myUSI, open AwardSpring, and complete the full application between September 14 and the end of January. The system matches applicants to donor-funded scholarships automatically. Reapply every year.
Selection criteria: Individual Foundation committees review applications against donor-defined criteria; the AwardSpring system pre-matches students but does not guarantee awards.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
AwardSpring is the USI Foundation's single scholarship application. One application matches students to every Foundation and Alumni Association scholarship they qualify for. A new application is required every year. Admission information pre-fills, but the student must complete the full application to be considered. Award amounts vary by donor and are not published as a range.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
USI students who complete the AwardSpring application thoroughly and early and whose academic, demographic, or program profiles match donor-established criteria.
App Required
USI Art Scholarships
📅 Deadline: TBD per USI (portfolio-based; confirm with the Art Department)
✓ Renews
$500–$2,500/yr
✔ Stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Departmental art awards often stack with general merit and foundation scholarships but may be subject to overall cost-of-attendance limits.
📄
How to Apply
Apply or be admitted to an art or studio-related program and submit a portfolio to the Art Department by the posted portfolio deadline for scholarship consideration.
Selection criteria: Selections are based primarily on portfolio quality and fit with departmental criteria; academic record may also be considered.
💡
Strategic Detail
Four-year renewable awards of $500 to $2,500 a year for incoming students majoring in art or art education, applied toward tuition. USI lists the deadline as TBD.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Art and studio students who present strong, well-reviewed portfolios that demonstrate skill and potential beyond basic coursework.
App Required⚠ Upperclassmen Only
USI Alumni Association Scholarships
📅 Deadline: End of January (through the AwardSpring application)
Non-Renewable
Varies
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.0+ GPA🎓 Upperclassmen
✚
Stacking & Combining
Awarded on top of merit aid, subject to overall cost-of-attendance limits.
📄
How to Apply
Complete the AwardSpring application in myUSI by the end of January. The same application covers Alumni Association awards and USI Foundation scholarships. No separate form.
Selection criteria: Reviewed against donor-established criteria by USI Foundation and Alumni Association committees.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
Open to students who have earned between 32 and 78 credit hours, are enrolled in at least 12 credit hours, are in good standing, and hold a 3.0 GPA or better. The Alumni Association funds a set of twelve $500 grants among its awards. Amounts vary by award and are not published as a single range.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Sophomores and juniors already at USI who fill out AwardSpring. Most families never look past freshman-year awards, which is exactly why these stay available.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
CIP Study Abroad Scholarships
📅 Deadline: March 6 for fall and summer programs; October 2 for spring programs
Non-Renewable
Varies
✔ Stackable
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Applied directly to the student account to reduce what is owed for the study abroad program. Stacks with merit aid. Students may apply for every award they qualify for but can receive only one.
📄
How to Apply
Apply to a USI-approved study abroad program first, then submit the single Center for International Programs scholarship application through the myUSI Study Abroad Portal by the posted deadline.
Selection criteria: Committee review based on financial need, academic merit, disciplinary standing, essay quality, and an active study abroad program application.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
One application covers the Global Engagement Scholarship and the other Center for International Programs awards. Students may request USI Foundation scholarship consideration through the same form. Amounts vary by program cost and are not published as a fixed range. Recipients must enroll at USI the fall or spring after studying abroad.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
USI students already accepted into a USI-approved, credit-bearing study abroad program who write strong scholarship essays. Selection weighs financial need, academic merit, no disciplinary holds, and the essays.
Data last verified Sep 21, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
The Legacy Award Worth Real Money

Most legacy awards at most colleges are a token $1,000. USI’s Continue the Tradition Award drops non-resident tuition all the way to the Indiana resident rate, and USI states directly that recipients also receive a Rice Merit Scholarship of $1,000 to $4,000 on top. Eligibility is straightforward: a non-Indiana resident admissible to USI whose biological or adopted parent, or grandparent, earned a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree from USI. If that describes your family, verify the alumni relationship early, because the waiver cannot be applied until USI confirms it.

❓ Hidden Gems FAQ

Can these stack with the merit award we already have?
Generally yes. Foundation and Alumni Association awards are designed to layer on top of merit aid, subject to overall cost-of-attendance limits and each donor’s own rules. Read the award notification, because certain scholarships are tuition-specific and get coordinated so the total does not exceed actual tuition charges.

When exactly does AwardSpring close?
The end of January for the following academic year. The application opens September 14 in myUSI. Awards are announced in the spring and appear in the student’s AwardSpring account.

My student is a sophomore. Is it too late?
No, and this is the part most families miss. A block of USI awards is aimed specifically at continuing students, including Alumni Association scholarships for students with 32 to 78 earned credit hours and a 3.0 GPA. Freshman year is not the only bite at the apple here.

What about the art scholarships?
The USI Art Department awards four-year renewable scholarships of $500 to $2,500 a year to incoming art and art education majors, applied toward tuition. Selection is portfolio-driven. USI currently lists the deadline as TBD, so contact the Art Department directly rather than waiting for a posted date.

Is study abroad funding realistic for a USI student?
More than at many schools. One Center for International Programs application covers several awards, including the Global Engagement Scholarship, and the money goes straight to the student account to reduce what is owed for the program. Deadlines are March 6 for fall and summer programs and October 2 for spring programs. Students can apply for everything they qualify for but receive only one award.

How will we know if we won something?
Foundation and Alumni awards show up in the AwardSpring account. Departmental and program awards typically come by USI email from the department. If nothing appears by late spring, call the Foundation scholarship team rather than assuming.

Sources:
https://www.usi.edu/admissions/scholarships/awardspring-scholarships
https://www.usi.edu/alumni/about-alumni/alumni-scholarships
https://www.usi.edu/admissions/scholarships/other-states
https://www.usi.edu/international/study-abroad/steps-to-study-abroad/study-abroad-scholarships

Honors Program at the University of Southern Indiana

Straight answer first, because this is where a lot of families waste effort: the USI Honors Program does not come with a scholarship. It is an academic program, not a funding pot. USI publishes no Honors-specific award, and anything you read online quoting Honors scholarship dollars at USI is not coming from USI.

That does not make it a bad deal. It makes it a different kind of deal, and it is genuinely worth applying for.

What Honors actually gets you at USI
  • Priority registration for your entire college career. You register on the first day, even as a first-year student. At a school with popular nursing and business pipelines, this is the benefit with real dollar value, because it protects on-time graduation.
  • Smaller, discussion-driven classes taught by senior faculty, with depth rather than added workload.
  • Honors housing and an Honors Student Assembly community.
  • Research and creative project support through faculty mentorship, which is what actually moves a graduate school or medical school application.
  • The University Honors Scholar Diploma on the transcript and diploma at graduation.
  • Incoming freshmen: 3.5 high school GPA. No test score required.
  • Close but not quite: apply anyway. USI grants conditional admittance at the Honors Program Director’s discretion.
  • Transfers and current students: 15 completed college credits with a 3.4 GPA. Dual credit does not count toward that 15.
  • Staying in: a 3.4 cumulative GPA. Falling below puts a student on Honors Alert with one semester to recover.
Where Honors students should actually look for money. Since Honors itself is unfunded, the aid comes from the same places as everyone else: the automatic Rice or out-of-state award tied to admission, the competitive awards with November deadlines, and the Foundation scholarships in AwardSpring. Honors students tend to do well in AwardSpring because donor criteria frequently reward exactly the profile Honors attracts. Apply to Honors for the registration priority and the faculty access. Apply to AwardSpring for the money.

Honors Program – FAQs (University of Southern Indiana)

Is Honors admission automatic with a 3.5?
No. A 3.5 makes a student eligible to apply, and the application is separate from admission to USI.

Is there an Honors deadline?
USI does not publish a hard cutoff. The program encourages students to join in their first or second year, and warns that joining later makes it harder to finish the required Honors coursework on time.

Do we need an ACT or SAT score?
No. USI dropped the test requirement for Honors when it went test-optional. It used to be a 1220 SAT or 25 ACT.

Are Honors classes harder?
Different, not heavier. Faculty assume the reading is done and push the conversation further. Grades of A or B are required in each Honors course to earn Honors credit.

Can out-of-state students join?
Yes. Honors eligibility has nothing to do with residency, and it does not affect any out-of-state award your student receives.

Is it worth it if there is no money attached?
For most students, yes, and the reason is priority registration rather than prestige. Getting the classes you need in the order you need them is what keeps a four-year degree to four years, and a fifth year of tuition costs far more than any Honors stipend would have been worth.

Sources:
https://www.usi.edu/honors/program-information
https://www.usi.edu/honors/program-information/honors-program-eligibility-requirements
https://www.usi.edu/honors/honors-student-handbook

⭐ College Specialty

USI is a public university just outside Evansville, founded in 1965, with about 9,400 students and more than 130 areas of study on a 1,400-acre campus. It is not a research flagship and does not pretend to be. What it is, is a school built around professional programs with licensure exams at the end of them, which is a very specific kind of value for a family watching the price tag.

The thing worth knowing up front: most USI classes have 19 or fewer students, and undergraduates are taught by faculty rather than graduate assistants. For a student who would disappear in a 400-seat lecture at a large state flagship, that difference is the whole argument.

Nationally Recognized Program:
Romain College of Business holds AACSB accreditation in both business and accounting, which puts it in roughly the top 2% of business schools worldwide. The number that matters more to families: USI’s first-time CPA exam pass rates in 2024 came in above both the state and national averages, and ahead of Purdue, Butler, Indiana State, Ball State and the University of Evansville. A new Center for Applied Business Technologies is being built around AI and emerging tech, with an AI concentration already running.
  • Kinney College of Nursing and Health Professions: the deepest bench at USI and the reason many families are here. Nursing runs from BSN through RN to BSN completion, MSN, BSN to DNP and the DNP, alongside occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, dental hygiene, diagnostic medical sonography, radiologic and imaging sciences, and health administration. The college was renamed in 2024 after a $6 million gift from alumnus Wayne Kinney and his family.
  • Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education: home to engineering, the sciences and teacher education. It also houses the pre-medicine track and the B/MD program, where USI pre-med students score above the national MCAT average and a small cohort holds a provisional seat at IU School of Medicine-Evansville.
  • College of Liberal Arts: the traditional arts and sciences core, plus the art and art education programs that carry their own portfolio-based scholarships.
  • Outside the classroom: USI moved to NCAA Division I in 2022-23 and competes in the Ohio Valley Conference across nineteen varsity sports. Families comparing USI to schools it used to sit beside in Division II should know that changed.

The honest summary: if your student wants nursing, health professions, accounting, business, engineering or teaching, USI is a serious option at a price that is hard to argue with. If they want a large research university with doctoral labs and a graduate-heavy culture, this is not that school, and the tuition reflects it.

✅ Wrapping It Up

USI is a school where the money question comes down to three answers you probably already know: what county you live in, what your student’s GPA is, and whether they took the ACT or SAT. Nobody is fighting for admission here. They are fighting the calendar.

If you are in Indiana, or in one of the Kentucky or Illinois regional counties, this is one of the least complicated affordability stories in the Midwest. You apply, you get a Rice award, and if you are regional you get the out-of-state gap covered on top of it. If you are anywhere else in the country and your student has a 3.5, the Out-of-State Merit Scholarship closes most of the distance between in-state and out-of-state pricing without a single essay. And if there is a USI diploma hanging in a grandparent’s house, the Continue the Tradition Award is worth more than almost any legacy award you will find.

The two things that actually go wrong here are boring and avoidable. Families let November pass without filing the competitive application, and students schedule 12 hours a semester and lose a renewable award over three credits. Put the November dates on the calendar now, plan for 27 hours a year from freshman orientation forward, and open AwardSpring every fall. That is the whole game at USI.

Leo Dimilo

Leo Dimilo

I built CollegeReadyParent after going through the college affordability process with my own daughter and realizing how much of it is deliberately hard to read. No paywall, no lead generation, just the numbers and the deadlines laid out the way I wish someone had laid them out for me. More about Leo →

Was this helpful? Share it with another parent who’s comparing college costs!

Back to top ↑

Scroll to Top