Scholarships

The Ball State Transfer Scholarship is awarded to well-prepared community college transfer students.

The award pays up to $1,000 per year ($500 per semester) for up to three years or 120 credit hours.

To be eligible, you must:

• be an Indiana resident
• have completed 30 credits or more at Ivy Tech Community College and/or Vincennes University
• have a 3.5 or higher cumulative grade point average
• ·not be receiving the Phi Theta Kappa Transfer Scholarship
• be an undergraduate enrolled in on-campus classes as a full-time degree seeking student

Phi Theta Kappa awards are for Indiana residents transferring to Ball State.

To be eligible for this award, you must:

• be an Indiana resident who has earned an associate in arts or associate in science degree with a minimum 3.5 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale from an accredited in-state community or junior college
• be an inducted member of Phi Theta Kappa
• enroll in on-campus classes as a full-time, degree-seeking student at Ball State for the first fall or spring semester following completion of the associate degree

The scholarship will be $4,500 a year for a two years or a total of four semesters (totaling $9,000). The award covers tuition only.

The scholarship is awarded for a maximum of four semesters of undergraduate study.

A limited number of scholarships are awarded, based on availability of funds.

All eligible transfer applicants who have been admitted by July 1 are considered for this award. No separate scholarship application is necessary. However, you should submit a copy of your Phi Theta Kappa membership certificate or membership card and a personal letter requesting scholarship consideration to the Office of Admissions.

Out-of-state students, students with previous bachelor's degrees, and re-enrolling Ball State students are not eligible.

Academic Distinction Scholarships are for out-of-state residents* transferring to Ball State.

To be eligible for this award, you must:

• be a non-Indiana resident
• earned an associate in arts or associate in science degree with a minimum 3.0 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale from an accredited out-of-state community or junior college
• have enrolled full-time at Ball State for the first fall or spring semester immediately following completion of the associate degree
• be an undergraduate enrolled in on-campus classes as a full-time degree seeking student

The award is a waiver of the out-of-state resident portion of tuition and fees. This does not include room and board charges, technology fees, or the Health Center fee.

The award is renewable for three additional semesters.

All eligible transfer applicants are considered for this award. No separate application is necessary.

In-state students, students with previous bachelor's degrees, and re-enrolling Ball State students are not eligible for this award.

*Ohio and Kentucky are now part of the Reciprocity program and do not qualify for this award. Learn more.

New undergraduate students from select states in the Midwest may qualify for dramatically reduced tuition through the Ball State Midwest Regional Scholarship. This special opportunity provides significant savings from our regular out-of-state tuition rates for full-time, on-campus enrollment starting in Fall 2023. Save more than $50,000 over the course of four years from our regular tuition rate for out-of-state students.

Benefits

This scholarship reduces Ball State’s full-time, on-campus tuition and student services fee for qualified out-of-state residents to total no more than 150% of the full-time, in-state tuition and student services fee paid by Indiana residents. Graduate, Online, distance, and off-campus tuition is not eligible for this discount.

This award applies only to tuition and the student services fee. Recipients remain responsible for all other Ball State fees, including the University technology, recreation center, health center, residence hall technology, overload, and course fees.

See our current tuition rates and fees.

Requirements

Learn more about the scholarship eligibility requirements and provisions below.

Residency

This scholarship is open to legal residents of the following states:

• Illinois
• Michigan

Enrollment

This award is limited to first-time, full-time, degree-seeking undergraduate students (enrolled for 12-18 hours per semester). Recipients must be enrolled in on-campus classes.

Academic Performance

To qualify for this scholarship, new first-time undergraduate students must have a cumulative weighted high school GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale). Eligible transfer students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) at their current institution and 15 transferable credit hours.

Other Awards

Students who receive any type of in-state tuition benefits or the following Ball State financial awards are not eligible for the Ball State Midwest Regional Scholarship:

• Presidential Scholarship
• Ball State Scholars Award
• Academic Distinction Scholarship

Since the Ball State Midwest Regional Scholarship has a greater value, it will be awarded instead of the Distinction Scholarship for qualifying new, first-time undergraduate students.

Continuation

Once a student is awarded the Ball State Midwest Regional Scholarship, that student shall continue to receive the discounted fee as long as the student maintains continuous enrollment (or has approved leave of absence).

New undergraduate and graduate students from select states may qualify for dramatically reduced tuition at Ball State through the Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP). This special opportunity provides significant savings from our regular out-of-state tuition rates for full-time, on-campus enrollment starting in Fall 2022. Save more than $50,000 over the course of four years from our regular tuition rate for out-of-state students.

Benefits

MSEP reduces Ball State’s full-time, on-campus tuition and student services fee for qualified out-of-state residents to total no more than 150% of the full-time, in-state tuition and student services fee paid by Indiana residents. Online, distance, and off-campus tuition is not eligible for this program.

MSEP benefits apply only to tuition and the student services fee. Recipients remain responsible for all other Ball State fees, including the University technology, recreation center, health center, residence hall technology, overload, and course fees.

See our current tuition rates and fees.

Requirements

Learn more about the MSEP eligibility requirements and provisions below.

Residency

MSEP is open to legal residents of the following states:

• Kansas
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• Nebraska
• North Dakota
• Ohio*
• Wisconsin

Enrollment

MSEP is limited to first-time, full-time, degree-seeking undergraduate students (enrolled for 12-18 hours per semester) and first-time, full-time, degree-seeking graduate students (enrolled for 9 hours per semester). Recipients must be enrolled in on-campus classes.

*Graduate students who are legal residents of Ohio are eligible for MSEP. If you are an undergraduate student, learn more about our Regional Tuition Savings program.

Academic Performance

To qualify for MSEP, new first-time undergraduate students must have a cumulative weighted high school GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale). Transfer students must have a cumulative collegiate GPA of 3.0 or higher and 15 transferable credit hours. Graduate applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher for their highest earned degree.

Other Awards

Students who receive any type of in-state tuition benefits or the following Ball State financial awards are not eligible for MSEP:

• Presidential Scholarship
• Ball State Scholars Award
• Distinction Scholarship (First-Year Students Only)
• Academic Distinction Scholarship (Transfer Only)
• Graduate Assistantship

Continuation

Students who are admitted to Ball State under MSEP will continue to receive the tuition benefits as long as they maintain continuous enrollment (or have an approved leave of absence) and satisfactory academic progress, regardless of the subsequent status of the participation agreement or the University’s participation in MSEP.

This award is open to eligible new incoming freshmen from Kentucky and Ohio. This award can be applied towards institutional charges including tuition, fees, and room and board. To check on your eligibility of this scholarship, please visit our scholarship calculator.

• Students can receive up to $2,000 a year ( maximum of $1,000 per semester) for a four-year total of $8,000.

Please note:  New, incoming students receiving the Employee Dependent Fee Remission are not eligible for this award beginning Fall 2026. Students will receive merit recognition, but merit monies will be removed once the fee remission is added.  Current students will continue to be eligible for both the Employee Dependent Fee Remission and the Provost Award.

In certain circumstances, other financial aid you receive may result in your award being reduced. All financial aid you receive, when combined with the Provost Award, cannot exceed the total cost of attendance.  The scholarship is awarded for a maximum of eight semesters of undergraduate study (ten semesters for students in an undergraduate major that requires a fifth year to complete).  Recipients must enroll in on-campus classes as full-time, degree-seeking students.

For those awarded beginning with the 2025 Spring Semester

• International Undergraduate students can receive $12,000 a year for a four-year total of $48,000.

The award is awarded for a maximum of eight semesters of undergraduate study. Recipients must enroll in on-campus classes as full-time, degree-seeking students.

For those awarded beginning with the 2025 Spring Semester

• International Undergraduate students can receive $14,000 a year for a four-year total of $56,000.

The award is awarded for a maximum of eight semesters of undergraduate study. Recipients must enroll in on-campus classes as full-time, degree-seeking students.

For those awarded beginning with the 2025 Spring Semester

• International Undergraduate students can receive $16,000 a year for a four-year total of $64,000.

The award is awarded for a maximum of eight semesters of undergraduate study. Recipients must enroll in on-campus classes as full-time, degree-seeking students.

The #YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship was developed as a result of US higher education institutions’ commitment to providing a welcoming, safe, and diverse environment to international students. Ball State University is proud to support this initiative by offering two annual, renewable scholarships to students who demonstrate an interest and initiative in promoting intercultural learning and exchange.

Award Amount

$14,000 scholarship ($7000 per semester), awarded for a maximum of eight semesters of undergraduate study. This award pays for institutional charges specifically, non-resident tuition. All financial aid received, when combined with other scholarships, cannot exceed the total cost of attendance.

Criteria

Awards are open to incoming first-year international (not a US citizen or permanent resident) undergraduate students. Students must be admitted to an on-campus, Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree program. Students must enroll full-time each semester and maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5. If the GPA drops below 2.5 at the end of the spring semester of any academic year, the scholarship will not be renewed. However, if the cumulative GPA is raised to a 2.5 at the end of the fall or summer semester, the award can be reinstated upon request.

How To Apply

Students wishing to apply must submit a short essay or video telling us about their leadership skills in their school or community, and how they plan to continue applying those skills at Ball State University.

The deadline to apply is March 31. Essays and videos should be submitted through our online form.

Apply Now

To learn more about the #YouAreWelcomeHere campaign, visit their website at https://www.youarewelcomehereusa.org/.

Academic Distinction Scholarships are for out-of-state residents* transferring to Ball State.

To be eligible for this award, you must:

• be a non-Indiana resident
• earned an associate in arts or associate in science degree with a minimum 3.0 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale from an accredited out-of-state community or junior college
• have enrolled full-time at Ball State for the first fall or spring semester immediately following completion of the associate degree
• be an undergraduate enrolled in on-campus classes as a full-time degree seeking student

The award is a waiver of the out-of-state resident portion of tuition and fees. Students receiving this award are still responsible for paying the equivalent of in-state tuition rates and fees.This does not include room and board charges, technology fees, or the Health Center fee.

The award is renewable for three additional semesters.  Students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress to have their scholarship renewed each year.

All eligible transfer applicants are considered for this award. No separate application is necessary. In-state students, students with previous bachelor’s degrees, and re-enrolling Ball State students are not eligible for this award.

This scholarship may be applied only to institutional charges.  All financial aid you receive, when combined with the Academic Distinction Scholarship, cannot exceed the total cost of attendance.

Academic Distinction Scholarship recipients are not eligible to also receive the Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP) award.

*Ohio and Kentucky are now part of the Reciprocity program and do not qualify for this award. Learn more.

The Ball State University Alumni Association has established and co-sponsors several awards and scholarships each year including:

• Alumni Association Scholarship (Indianapolis Alumni Chapter) 
• Alumni Association Legacy Scholarship
• Cardinal Legacy Award
• Nursing Alumni Society Scholarships
• Oliver C. Bumb Scholarship
• Robert E. Linson Scholarship
• Student Scholarship Talent Search
• Teachers College Alumni Scholarships
• Young Alumni Council Student Leadership Scholarship

Learn More

Selected outstanding high school seniors are awarded a Ball State Scholars Award. The award is open to in-state and out-of-state students*. This award pays for institutional charges for tuition, fees, and room and board.

• In-state students can receive $4,000 a year (maximum of $2,000 a semester) for a four-year total of $16,000.
• Out-of-state students can receive $14,000 a year (maximum of $7,000 a semester) for a four-year total of $56,000.
  • *Ohio and Kentucky are now part of the Regional Tuition Savings program and do not qualify for this award. Learn more.

Please note: New, incoming students receiving the Employee Dependent Fee Remission are not eligible for this award beginning Fall 2026. Students will receive merit recognition, but merit monies will be removed once the fee remission is added.  Current students will continue to be eligible for both the Employee Dependent Fee Remission and the Ball State Scholars Award.

In certain circumstances, other financial aid you receive may result in your award being reduced. All financial aid you receive, when combined with the Ball State Scholars Award, cannot exceed the total cost of attendance.  Students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress to have their scholarship renewed each year.  The award is awarded for a maximum of eight semesters of undergraduate study (ten semesters for students in an undergraduate major that requires a fifth year to complete).  Recipients must enroll in on-campus classes as full-time, degree-seeking students.

The Ball State Transfer Scholarship is awarded to well-prepared community college transfer students.

The award pays up to $1,000 per year ($500 per semester) for up to three years or 120 credit hours.

To be eligible, you must:

• be an Indiana resident
• have completed 30 credits or more at Ivy Tech Community College and/or Vincennes University
• have a 3.5 or higher cumulative grade point average
• ·not be receiving the Phi Theta Kappa Transfer Scholarship
• be an undergraduate enrolled in on-campus classes as a full-time degree seeking student

The Completion Scholarship is a $500 scholarship awarded in a student’s final semester before graduation.  NOTE: The completion scholarship will be discontinued.  Only students beginning enrollment on or before the Fall 2022 semester and who meet the criteria listed below are eligible.

To qualify, you must be an Indiana resident who entered Ball State as a first-time, full-time freshman and will complete a bachelor’s degree within four calendar years.

To apply for the award, you must e-mail the Academic Advising Office a Completion Scholarship Application. You should apply after you register for courses in your final semester but before the course withdrawal deadline.

Selected out-of-state* outstanding high school seniors are awarded a Distinction Scholarship. This award may pay institutional charges for tuition, fees, and room and board.  To check on your eligibility of this scholarship, please visit our scholarship calculator.

• Out-of-state students can receive $12,000 a year (maximum of $6,000 a semester) for a four-year total of $48,000.
  • *Ohio and Kentucky are now part of the Reciprocity program and do not qualify for this award. Learn more.

Please note: New, incoming students receiving the Employee Dependent Fee Remission are not eligible for this award beginning Fall 2026. Students will receive merit recognition, but merit monies will be removed once the fee remission is added.  Current students will continue to be eligible for both the Employee Dependent Fee Remission and the Distinction Scholarship.

In certain circumstances, other financial aid you receive may result in your award being reduced. All financial aid you receive, when combined with the Ball State Distinction Scholarship, cannot exceed the total cost of attendance.  Distinction Scholars must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5. If the GPA drops below 2.5 at the end of the spring semester of any academic year, the scholarship will not be renewed. However, if the cumulative GPA is raised to a 2.5 at the end of the fall or summer semester, the award can be reinstated upon request. The scholarship is awarded for a maximum of eight semesters of undergraduate study (ten semesters for students in an undergraduate major that requires a fifth year to complete).

This scholarship was established by Mr. Harold Ellison, a lifelong resident of Muncie and a longtime employee of the Warner Gear Division of Borg-Warner Corporation.  Mr. Ellison wished to award outstanding Delaware County high school graduating seniors enrolling at Ball State University who have also been awarded the Ball State University Presidential Scholarship.

The Ellison, in combination with the Presidential Scholarship, covers the amount of tuition and mandatory fees (student service, health, technology, and recreation fees). It also provides for on-campus room and board based on the standard, two person, 21 meal plan rate. To be eligible to continue to receive this award, you must successfully complete a minimum of 24 credit hours (30 strongly recommended) during each academic year and maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.

The award is to be used for eight semesters of undergraduate study, and is subject to annual review of your leadership activities and academic progress by the selection committee. Students who live off-campus are still eligible to receive an amount equal to the same rate. However, students living at home with parents and commuting are awarded $2,000 for the room and board portion of the scholarship. The Ellison, in combination with all other federal, state, institutional and private scholarships cannot exceed the cost of attendance established by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships. Additional awards can affect and reduce the total amount of the Ellison Scholarship award. If other scholarships are awarded to you, it will be your responsibility to ensure that by accepting the Ellison Scholarship, you are not jeopardizing your eligibility to receive your other awards. Special requests or unique situations regarding your Ellison Scholarship award should be brought to the attention of the committee for their review.

See the following link for more information on requirements and the application process.

https://www.firstmerchants.com/resources/private-wealth-scholarships/harold-ellison-scholarship

For additional questions please feel free to contact:

First Merchants Private Wealth Advisors
P.O. Box 1467
Muncie, IN 47308-1467
PWAScholarship@firstmerchants.com

 

If you are a high school senior, who has applied and been admitted to Ball State University, and who has actively participated in academic and extracurricular activities and has been a leader in your high school and local community, you will want to apply for this award. The Emens Leadership Scholarship is open to both in-state and out-of-state students.

Please check your Ball State portal for an application notification.  We send out applications to selected admitted students beginning in mid-November.  Any admitted student is welcome to request application materials; send a request to emensscholar@bsu.edu.  You must submit your completed application via your student portal by the deadline of January 6.

The number and the value of Emens Leadership Scholarships may vary slightly from year to year, but in recent years the value has been approximately one-half the amount of in-state tuition. Ten to twelve new scholarships are currently awarded each year to incoming freshmen. These awards are for eight semesters and are subject to an annual review of the student’s leadership and academic progress.

The Emens Scholars form a lively community of leaders on campus. They meet as a group at least twice a year, and they support each other in their wide-ranging endeavors across campus both in and out of the classroom.

You must have applied and been admitted to Ball State University to apply for the Emens Leadership Scholarship.  You must receive and submit a completed application by January 6 to be considered for this award.

The Ball State University Guardian Scholars Program is a University-sponsored student support service for Ball State students who experienced foster care during high school.

The mission of the program is to promote self-sufficiency while equipping students with tools for a successful transition into college, career and life. The Guardian Scholars program provides a variety of supports for program participants including academic support, success seminars, program and community events and financial support. Within the Guardian Scholars, students are connected to peers who shared similar childhood experiences and network of professionals to support their unique challenges on campus.

Current Guardian Scholars program participants who are in good standing with the University and program can apply to be a Guardian Scholars scholarship recipient annually by March 15^th. Each scholarship award will include up to $2,500 per year and is renewable for up to 4 years, subject to review.

For more information about the Guardian Scholars program visit www.bsu.edu/guardianscholars or contact the program coordinator at 765-285-5538.

If you plan to enroll in the Honors College or currently are, you have several scholarships and fellowships available to you.

On top of offering some of Ball State’s most prestigious awards, the college provides resources on national scholarship programs.

Learn more about Honors College Scholarships.

New undergraduate students from select states in the Midwest may qualify for dramatically reduced tuition through the Ball State Midwest Regional Scholarship. This special opportunity provides significant savings from our regular out-of-state tuition rates for full-time, on-campus enrollment starting in Fall 2023. Save more than $50,000 over the course of four years from our regular tuition rate for out-of-state students.

Benefits

This scholarship reduces Ball State’s full-time, on-campus tuition and student services fee for qualified out-of-state residents to total no more than 150% of the full-time, in-state tuition and student services fee paid by Indiana residents. Graduate, Online, distance, and off-campus tuition is not eligible for this discount.

This award applies only to tuition and the student services fee. Recipients remain responsible for all other Ball State fees, including the University technology, recreation center, health center, residence hall technology, overload, and course fees.

See our current tuition rates and fees.

Requirements

Learn more about the scholarship eligibility requirements and provisions below.

Residency

This scholarship is open to legal residents of the following states:

• Illinois
• Michigan

Enrollment

This award is limited to first-time, full-time, degree-seeking undergraduate students (enrolled for 12-18 hours per semester). Recipients must be enrolled in on-campus classes.

Academic Performance

To qualify for this scholarship, new first-time undergraduate students must have a cumulative weighted high school GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale). Eligible transfer students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) at their current institution and 15 transferable credit hours.

Other Awards

Students who receive any type of in-state tuition benefits or the following Ball State financial awards are not eligible for the Ball State Midwest Regional Scholarship:

• Presidential Scholarship
• Ball State Scholars Award
• Academic Distinction Scholarship

Since the Ball State Midwest Regional Scholarship has a greater value, it will be awarded instead of the Distinction Scholarship for qualifying new, first-time undergraduate students.

Continuation

Once a student is awarded the Ball State Midwest Regional Scholarship, that student shall continue to receive the discounted fee as long as the student maintains continuous enrollment (or has approved leave of absence).

New undergraduate and graduate students from select states may qualify for dramatically reduced tuition at Ball State through the Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP). This special opportunity provides significant savings from our regular out-of-state tuition rates for full-time, on-campus enrollment starting in Fall 2022. Save more than $50,000 over the course of four years from our regular tuition rate for out-of-state students.

Benefits

MSEP reduces Ball State’s full-time, on-campus tuition and student services fee for qualified out-of-state residents to total no more than 150% of the full-time, in-state tuition and student services fee paid by Indiana residents. Online, distance, and off-campus tuition is not eligible for this program.

MSEP benefits apply only to tuition and the student services fee. Recipients remain responsible for all other Ball State fees, including the University technology, recreation center, health center, residence hall technology, overload, and course fees.

See our current tuition rates and fees.

Requirements

Learn more about the MSEP eligibility requirements and provisions below.

Residency

MSEP is open to legal residents of the following states:

• Kansas
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• Nebraska
• North Dakota
• Ohio*
• Wisconsin

Enrollment

MSEP is limited to first-time, full-time, degree-seeking undergraduate students (enrolled for 12-18 hours per semester) and first-time, full-time, degree-seeking graduate students (enrolled for 9 hours per semester). Recipients must be enrolled in on-campus classes.

*Graduate students who are legal residents of Ohio are eligible for MSEP. If you are an undergraduate student, learn more about our Regional Tuition Savings program.

Academic Performance

To qualify for MSEP, new first-time undergraduate students must have a cumulative weighted high school GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale). Transfer students must have a cumulative collegiate GPA of 3.0 or higher and 15 transferable credit hours. Graduate applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher for their highest earned degree.

Other Awards

Students who receive any type of in-state tuition benefits or the following Ball State financial awards are not eligible for MSEP:

• Presidential Scholarship
• Ball State Scholars Award
• Distinction Scholarship (First-Year Students Only)
• Academic Distinction Scholarship (Transfer Only)
• Graduate Assistantship

Continuation

Students who are admitted to Ball State under MSEP will continue to receive the tuition benefits as long as they maintain continuous enrollment (or have an approved leave of absence) and satisfactory academic progress, regardless of the subsequent status of the participation agreement or the University’s participation in MSEP.

The Muncie Community Schools Award is for employees of the Muncie Community Schools to receive reduced tuition.

Requirements:

• must be an employee of Muncie Community Schools at the beginning of the semester that an award is received.
• can be used for up to 6 credit hours per year.
• application must be submitted to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships by the end of the first week of classes each semester.

Complete a 2025-26 Muncie Community Schools Award application form.

Phi Theta Kappa awards are for Indiana residents transferring to Ball State.

To be eligible for this award, you must:

• be an Indiana resident who has earned an associate in arts or associate in science degree with a minimum 3.5 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale from an accredited in-state community or junior college
• be an inducted member of Phi Theta Kappa
• enroll in on-campus classes as a full-time, degree-seeking student at Ball State for the first fall or spring semester following completion of the associate degree

The scholarship will be $4,500 a year for a two years or a total of four semesters (totaling $9,000). The award covers tuition only.

The scholarship is awarded for a maximum of four semesters of undergraduate study.

A limited number of scholarships are awarded, based on availability of funds.

All eligible transfer applicants who have been admitted by July 1 are considered for this award. No separate scholarship application is necessary. However, you should submit a copy of your Phi Theta Kappa membership certificate or membership card and a personal letter requesting scholarship consideration to the Office of Admissions.

Out-of-state students, students with previous bachelor's degrees, and re-enrolling Ball State students are not eligible.

Selected outstanding high school seniors are awarded a Presidential Scholarship. The award is open to in-state and out-of-state students*. This award may pay institutional charges for tuition, fees, and room and board.  To check on your eligibility of this scholarship, please visit our scholarship calculator.

• In-state students can receive $5,500 a year (maximum of $2,750 a semester) for a four-year total of $22,000.
• Out-of-state students can receive $16,000 a year (maximum of $8,000 a semester) for a four-year total of $64,000.
  • *Ohio and Kentucky are now part of the Reciprocity program and do not qualify for this award. Learn more.

Please note:  New, incoming students receiving the Employee Dependent Fee Remission are not eligible for this award beginning Fall 2026. Students will receive merit recognition, but merit monies will be removed once the fee remission is added.  Current students will continue to be eligible for both the Employee Dependent Fee Remission and the Presidential Scholarship.

In certain circumstances, other financial aid you receive may result in your award being reduced. All financial aid you receive, when combined with the Presidential Scholarship, cannot exceed the total cost of attendance.  The scholarship is awarded for a maximum of eight semesters of undergraduate study (ten semesters for students in an undergraduate major that requires a fifth year to complete).  Recipients must enroll in on-campus classes as full-time, degree-seeking students.

This award is open to eligible new incoming freshmen from Kentucky and Ohio. This award can be applied towards institutional charges including tuition, fees, and room and board. To check on your eligibility of this scholarship, please visit our scholarship calculator.

• Students can receive up to $2,000 a year ( maximum of $1,000 per semester) for a four-year total of $8,000.

Please note:  New, incoming students receiving the Employee Dependent Fee Remission are not eligible for this award beginning Fall 2026. Students will receive merit recognition, but merit monies will be removed once the fee remission is added.  Current students will continue to be eligible for both the Employee Dependent Fee Remission and the Provost Award.

In certain circumstances, other financial aid you receive may result in your award being reduced. All financial aid you receive, when combined with the Provost Award, cannot exceed the total cost of attendance.  The scholarship is awarded for a maximum of eight semesters of undergraduate study (ten semesters for students in an undergraduate major that requires a fifth year to complete).  Recipients must enroll in on-campus classes as full-time, degree-seeking students.

The Study Abroad Office is committed to removing barriers to increase accessibility for all students to have the chance to study abroad. Many students use scholarships to help reduce the cost of their study abroad programs.  Please see the Rinker Center for Global Affairs scholarships web page for additional information regarding study abroad scholarships.  

The Whitinger Scholarship is the signature scholarship of the Honors College and the most prestigious scholarship awarded by Ball State. It supplements Ball State’s Presidential Scholarship to provide full tuition and required fees plus on-campus room and board for eight new Honors College students of exceptional potential each year. This award honors Dr. Ralph J. Whitinger, a 1929 graduate who served many years as the first president of the Ball State University Foundation.

Meet the 2025-2026 Whitinger Scholars

Award Amount

This scholarship covers full tuition (in-state or out-of-state), mandatory fees (those which apply automatically to all students), and on-campus room and board (a typical DeHority Complex shared double room with 14 meals per week) for eight semesters of undergraduate study. Students who receive another merit-based scholarship from Ball State (Presidential Scholarship, Ball State Scholars Award, etc.) will have that award applied to tuition and fees first, and the Whitinger Scholarship will be applied to remaining tuition and fee charges plus on-campus room and board.

Criteria

Requirements include returning a completed application by the stated deadline. Scholarship recipients are selected by a committee based on their academic ability, character, creativity, and potential for leadership. Eligibility for consideration includes:

• Apply to the Honors College by the priority deadline of November 16.
• Get accepted to Ball State and the Honors College.
• Earn a high school GPA of 3.85 or higher (on a 4.0 scale)
• US Citizen or resident of Puerto Rico

How to Apply

Honors College applicants who qualify for this award will receive application materials via their Ball State Applicant Status Portal. Please check your portal daily for an application notification; we send out applications each day. You must submit your completed application via your student portal by the December 6 deadline. Specific information is on the application form. We will not accept self-nominations or applications/nominations from schools.

The Mitch Daniels Early Graduation Scholarship, which is funded by the state of Indiana, is a one-time award up to $4,000 to cover tuition and regularly assessed fees for any student who:

• is a resident of Indiana and had been a resident of Indiana for at least the last two semesters before graduating
• attends a publicly supported school on a full-time equivalency basis for at least the last two semesters before graduating
• met at least the minimum requirements set by the Indiana State Board of Education for granting a high school diploma by the end of grade 11 and was awarded after Dec. 31, 2010 a high school diploma by the
• was not enrolled in a publicly supported school for any part of grade 12
• applies to the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (CHE)
• within five months after graduating from high school, becomes a student in good standing taking classes at an approved postsecondary educational institution and is engaged in a program that will lead to an approved postsecondary degree or credential

CHE must verify that your matriculation, the Mitch Daniels Early Graduation Scholarship application, and FAFSA filing and contents meet the requirements for you to be eligible for this scholarship before the college may bill CHE.