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View scholarship opportunities and eligibility requirements for scholarships at Indiana State University. Our Scholarship Office will assist you in your search for available scholarships and other resources to help pay for college.

About The Branch

The Branch at Indiana State University allows you to search for scholarships, complete applications, and stay updated on your scholarships and awards. After completing the applications and additional requirements (letters of reference, essays, etc.), you will receive a confirmation email from Indiana State University’s Scholarships Office. If selected for a scholarship, you will receive an award notification to your Indiana State Sycamores email address.

What to Expect in The Branch

  • You will be presented with the general application after logging in. It is required to be eligible for scholarships.
  • You may be presented with other conditional applications to complete.
  • After completing and submitting applications, you will be presented with scholarship opportunities that may require additional information to help determine your eligibility.
  • Each opportunity will state if letters of reference, essays, etc. are required for a scholarship.
  • After completing all of the above, you will receive a confirmation email from Indiana State University Scholarships (scholarships@indstate.edu)
  • You will want to check The Branch regularly as new scholarship opportunities may be added.
  • If selected for a scholarship, an award notification will be sent to your ISU Sycamores email address, so be sure to monitor your official ISU email account regularly. This will occur after March 1, 2025.

Visit the Branch

Cara Esparza
Cara Esparza | Insurance and Risk Management | ’19

Transferring here, my first semester of sophomore year was completely paid for with scholarships and I only had to have one job, and it’s helped greatly with my grades. For the first time in my college career, I’m only taking 15 credit hours, and I can say that I have made it through four years of college without taking out any loans, which is amazing.

  • Learn how to get started as a freshman

    Freshman Scholarships for 2025-26

    Entering freshmen who will begin their studies in 2025 and who plan to enroll as full-time, on-campus students each semester (minimum of 12 credits) are eligible to apply for most freshman scholarships. Online-only and returning Indiana State University students are not eligible for these scholarship opportunities. To receive first consideration for many freshman scholarships, students must be admitted to Indiana State University by December 1.

    View Competitive and Admission-Based Freshman Scholarships for 2025-26
  • Learn how to get started transfering

    Transfer Scholarships 2025-26

    Transfer students who will begin their studies in 2025 and who will enroll as full-time, on-campus students each semester (minimum of 12 credits) are eligible to apply for most transfer scholarships.

    Please read scholarship descriptions carefully for details. Some deadlines may vary by award.

    View Transfer Scholarships for 2025-26

2025-26 International Scholar Award

All incoming international freshmen who are admitted to Indiana State by July 15 for Fall or December 15 for Spring will be automatically considered for this scholarship. No additional application is required. However, it is only open to international students who are not fully sponsored or receiving a reduced tuition rate. This scholarship is not open to United States citizens or permanent residents.

View the International Scholar Award

Other Scholarship Information

Indiana State University offers a variety of scholarships for talented and deserving sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Many of these scholarships are available through individual colleges and academic departments such as Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, Health and Human Services, Nursing, and Technology.

View scholarship opportunities at The Branch

Available textbook scholarships include the 21st Century Scholars Textbook Scholarship and the Child of Alumni Textbook Scholarship. There are specific instructions to follow to access your textbook scholarship.

In addition to scholarships offered by Indiana State University and the Indiana State University Foundation, a variety of awards and scholarships are offered by outside sources, including state, regional, and national organizations. Students who have been awarded outside scholarships should follow specific procedures for reporting outside scholarships to Indiana State University.

Listed below are resources that may be helpful in locating and applying for outside scholarships.

  • Access Scholarships—this scholarship search tool strives to connect students with scholarship opportunities, helpful information, and resources that they need to be successful in their higher education journeys and beyond. The tool provides resources for test prep, college admissions, the FAFSA, and more.
  • Adult Student Grant—a $2,000 grant to help Hoosier adults with some college finish what they started. This grant, which is offered by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, exists to assist students who are starting or completing an associate's degree, bachelor's degree, or certificates. To be eligible, students must be Indiana residents, be financially independent and demonstrate financial need as determined by the FAFSA, and meet any other minimum criteria established by the Commission. The scholarship is first come, first serve and students must have the FAFSA and the application complete to reserve a spot.
  • Bridging the Dream Scholarship for Graduate Students – The Bridging the Dream Scholarship Program for Graduate Students is a partnership between the Sallie Mae and Thurgood Marshall College Funds that helps outstanding students from minority and other historically underserved communities attend graduate school. Grad students who are facing financial challenges may apply to receive up to a $10,000 scholarship to help them pay for their graduate or professional degree program. Students must be enrolled at least part time at an accredited post-secondary institution, be a U.S. Citizen or legal permanent resident with a valid permanent resident card or passport stamped I-551, and meet other eligibility requirements.
  • College Without Debt—a guide on how to help college students and their families pay for college and find the right scholarships and loans.
  • Counseling Schools Scholarship - $2,500 scholarship program for Fall 2025, aimed at student and professionals who shar our vision for advancing their careers in counseling. Get a head start on you scholarship application before the deadline approaches on May 15, 2025.
  • Financial Aid and Scholarships for the Blind and Visually Impaired—a resource linking many scholarships and funds for students who are blind or visually impaired.
  • Financial Aid for Latinx Students to Attend School—this resource features scholarship and grant opportunities for Latinx students.
  • Huggable Supermom Scholarship—a $2,000 scholarship for undergraduate and graduate students who have been impacted by a single mom or who are a single mom themselves. The scholarship is awarded twice a year. Application deadlines are June 30 and December 31.
  • ISU Credit Union Scholarship—four $2,000 scholarships available to ISU Credit Union members (must be a member by January 31) intending to enroll or are already enrolled full-time in an undergraduate degree program at Indiana State University. The total amount of $2,000.00 will be distributed in $1,000.00 increments each semester. The stipend will cover tuition, books, and/or fees. Application deadline is January 31.
  • Live it Up's Quarterly Community Health Ambassador Scholarship for Nursing Students—a $1,000 scholarship available to students pursuing or planning to pursue a degree in nursing. Open to all high school senior, undergraduate, or graduate students who are current U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents. The scholarship is awarded quarterly. Application deadline is March 1.
  • Live it Up's Women in Healthcare Scholarship—a $500 scholarship available to female students pursuing any degree in the healthcare field. Open to all high school senior, undergraduate, or graduate students who are current U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents. The scholarship is awarded quarterly. Application deadline is May 1.
  • Open Education Database: African-American Grants—to help bridge funding gaps, the college planning experts at OEDB.org developed a list of scholarships and grants specifically for African-American students. This resource provides context for how students can best take advantage of available resources while offering a listing of 15 scholarship and grant opportunities.
  • OEDb-Open Education Database—this resource, which was developed by college planning experts at OEDB.org,, includes an extensive list of grants for various student groups. The goal is to provide context for how students can best take advantage of available resources while keeping college affordable. Visit the following links for further information.
    -  Federal Grants
    -  Need-Based Grants
    -  Getting Grants for Graduate School
    -  Grants for Women
    -  National SMART Grant
  • Owen County Community Foundation Scholarships—information on scholarships and grants for graduating seniors. Most of the scholarships listed require Owen County residency, however, several scholarships have broader residency requirements.
  • PixelPlex Bi-Annual STEM Scholarship—a $2,000 scholarship to help support students pursuing education in the fields of science, technology, engineering, math (STEM), economics, or business. To be eligible, students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and meet other eligibility requirements. Deadlines are December 5 and June 5 (bi-annually).
  • STEM Scholarship Guide—Tips for Finding and Applying for Scholarships to Fund Your STEM Education
  • Students with Disabilities Scholarships and Financial Aid—this guide focuses on financial aid scholarships opportunities for students with disabilities and discusses how to take advantage of these opportunities.
  • Top Nutrition Coaching Heroes’ Legacy Scholarship—a $500 scholarship available to students of a military family (at least one parent has served in the U.S. military at some point). Open to all high school senior, undergraduate, or graduate students who are current U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents. The scholarship is awarded annually. Deadline is April 1.
  • Unigo—this scholarship search tool provides information and tips on scholarships and how to look for them. Students are able to search for scholarships based on major, type, athletics, grants, merit, military, and more.
  • UPS FlightPath Internships— UPS Airlines is accepting applications for interns in their UPS FlightPath Program. Successful candidates who complete a 12-month, paid internship are able to continue in the UPS FlightPath Program at Ameriflight, the world’s largest part 135 cargo airline, which can lead to a guaranteed First Officer interview at UPS Airlines.
  • Virginia M. Wagner Educational Award—this award is specific to states in the Midwestern Region: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Women residing in these states who are attending colleges/universities in pursuit of bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees are eligible to apply. This award is granted to women who display effort toward education, have done volunteer work in the community, and demonstrate financial need. The deadline is January 15, 2024.

There are specific instructions for accepting an undergraduate scholarship at Indiana State. For graduate scholarships, contact the academic unit offering the scholarship.

In some cases, ISU awards and scholarships can combined with other ISU awards and scholarships. Restrictions apply.

  • No combination of ISU awards/scholarships can exceed the cost of attendance for an academic year.
  • Recipients of the Academic Excellence, Academic Distinction, Academic Merit, or President's Academic Excellence scholarships cannot also receive a full in-state tuition competitive scholarship.
  • Recipients of freshman competitive scholarships (specifically, the President's Academic Excellence Scholarship, President's Scholarship, Center for Leadership Development Scholarship, Gongaware Scholarship, Networks Scholarship, Rural Health Scholarship, University Honors Scholarship, Warren M. Anderson Scholarship) cannot also receive the Academic Excellence, Distinction, or Merit Scholarships.

Note: Students who qualify for one or more Admission-Based awards/scholarships will be notified automatically with their admission award letter or shortly thereafter.

Some scholarships can be renewed. There are specific rules and regulations for these scholarships.

Rules & Regulations Root site

The appeal process varies by award term. Search for “Appeal” in The Branch and select the appropriate reinstatement term.

Go to The Branch

Indiana State has a long and proud history of community service. We highly encourage all of our students to give back to the community. This commitment to service is why we ask some of our top scholars to complete and record community service hours as a part of their scholarship requirements.