One of the great things about America is that, in essence, it is a land of opportunity. Everyone, from inner-city students to rural children of farmers to suburbanites, has a chance to go to college for a reduced price via scholarships.
Indiana students can receive scholarships based on academia, athletics, or their horse-riding capabilities. Here are just a few of the scholarships available to students in Indiana.
Indiana State University Creative & Performing Arts (C & PA) Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Deadline: TBD for 2021
At Indiana State University in Terre Haute, this scholarship awards up to ten incoming freshmen. Perfect for creative-minded students who intend to major in the arts, the scholarship offers an annual payment of between $3000-6000 per enrolled year inside the school’s Department of Art and Design.
The scholarship is renewable for up to four years as long as a student does not switch their major to another department. In order to be eligible for this scholarship, incoming students must declare their major inside the Art department and have at least a high school diploma and a 2.5 high school diploma.
Ball State University College of Business Scholarships
Amount: Varies
Deadline: Based on admission
Ball State University’s College of Business offers twelve scholarships to incoming freshmen, as well as scholarships for current students. For incoming freshmen, students just need to file their FAFSA. Ball State University automatically considers freshmen for these scholarships once they have accepted admission. For current students, the university asks that they fill out an application, with preference given to juniors and seniors.
AQHF Scholarship Program
Amount: $500 — $50,000
Deadline: December 1, 2020 (Opens August 1, 2020)
The horse industry is an integral part of Indiana culture, as the breeding and racing industry generates more than $2 billion for the state, according to a 2011 report.
In order to incentivize young riders to keep compiling their interest in the equine industry, the AQHF (American Quarter Horse Foundation) offers multiple scholarships to students. Along with an application, transcript, and references, the program awards students based on academic achievement, financial need, Quarter Horse involvement, leadership, and communication abilities.
Silver Pen Writing Competition
Amount: $500 — $2,500
Deadline: TBD for 2021
For those interested in writing, Senior Living Communities, a collection of retirement homes throughout the midwest, runs an annual essay competition for incoming college freshmen.
In order to be eligible for the competition, a student must live within 25 miles of a Senior Living Community home. In Indiana, this means the competition is open to anyone within a 25-mile radius of the city of Carmel, the location of the SLC home. Essay topics vary year to year, but generally follow a theme of human interaction between the youth and the elderly.
The four students who win the competition receive a prize of $1500 to go towards their college education.
Indiana University Dean’s Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Deadline: Based on admission
Indiana University, or IU, consists of eight campuses scattered across the Hoosier State, with the “flagship institution” located in Bloomington, south of Indianapolis.
The Dean’s Scholarship is awarded to incoming freshmen coming from out of state. The scholarship gives students with remarkable academic performance up to $11,000 and is also renewable for four years, covering almost half of the tuition difference between in-state and out-of-state.
Valparaiso Board of Directors Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Deadline: File the FAFSA
Valparaiso University, located in the scenic plains of Northwest Indiana, is proud of its claim as the largest private Lutheran institution of learning in the United States, a title they have held since the 1940s.
A small school with an enrollment of around 4,000 undergrads, the university’s Board of Directors offers a renewable scholarship of up to $25,000 a year for incoming freshmen who demonstrate dedication to their church and community and are also committed to strong performance in the classroom.
Indiana Broadcaster’s Association Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Deadline: TBD for 2021
For current students in the field of broadcast journalism, the Indiana Broadcaster’s Association (IBA) offers a scholarship to students at twenty-four different schools in Indiana. Applicants must have a GPA of at least 3.0, be Indiana residents, and actively participating in a college or public/private broadcast facility. The scholarship then applies to tuition fees in the fields of radio, TV, and journalism.
Kids’ Chance of Indiana Scholarship Program
Amount: $3,000
Deadline: July 1
Losing a parent is one of the most traumatic experiences a young student, or anyone, could go through. Kurt Vonnegut, the famed writer and Indianapolis native, once said, “A purpose of human life…is to love whoever is around to be loved.” In a gesture of goodwill that Vonnegut would approve of, this scholarship is designed to care for the children of Indiana workers who were either “fatally or catastrophically” injured in a work-related accident.
This scholarship ensures that these children, often left without a parent to guide them through the difficult college process, will feel cared for, as well as appreciated. Awarded through the Indiana Worker’s Compensation Board, the scholarship will then send funding for the student’s tuition to their college of choice one semester at a time.
Damon P. Moore Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: March 1
The Damon P. Moore scholarship, named after the former leader of the Indiana State Teacher’s Association, is awarded to ethnic minority students entering the field of education who demonstrate leadership ability, commitment to academics, as well as care for their community.
The scholarship, to be given to a child or dependent of a current ISTA member, offers $1,000 a year, which is also renewable for four years, to help the student pursue a teaching license.
| Lender | Rates (APR) | Eligibility | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
6.97%-15.03%* Variable
5.99%-14.00%* Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT CITIZENS |
 |
6.37% - 16.70% Variable
4.50% - 15.49% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT SALLIE MAE |
 |
4.98% - 16.70% Variable
4.07% - 15.66% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT CREDIBLE |
 |
6.07% - 11.31% Variable
4.39% - 10.39% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT LENDKEY |
 |
6.22% - 16.08% Variable
4.09% - 15.66% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ASCENT |
 |
6.54% - 11.08% Variable
3.95% - 8.01% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ISL |
 |
5.62% - 18.26% Variable
4.11% - 15.90% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT EARNEST |
 |
4.98% - 12.79% Variable
8.42% - 13.01% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ELFI |
