Grants

Federal Grants

Federal Pell Grants

The Federal Pell Grant is awarded by the Department of Education based on financial need as determined through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Pell Grant is awarded only to undergraduate students without a first baccalaureate or professional degree (regardless of whether or not the degree was from an accredited institution). The Pell Grant does not need to be repaid (unless, for example, the student withdraws from school and owes a refund). The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required each year and recipients must maintain satisfactory academic progress.

The amount of Pell Grant received varies from year to year and is prorated based on the student's enrollment status. Enrollment status is determined at the end of the initial 100% refund period for each standard semester (for fall and spring it is the end of the first full week of the term) for federal programs.

The amount of Pell Grant funds a student may receive over his or her lifetime is limited by a federal law to be the equivalent of six years of Pell Grant funding. Students who have already used the equivalent of six years or more over their lifetime will no longer have Pell Grant eligibility. For more information about Pell Lifetime Eligibility and how it is calculated please visit the U.S. Department of Education's Federal Student Aid website.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is also a need based grant awarded using FAFSA results. The FSEOG is awarded only to undergraduates without a first baccalaureate or professional degree. First priority is given to Pell Grant recipients who demonstrate "exceptional financial need." Funds are limited and not all students who are eligible will receive the FSEOG. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required each year and recipients must maintain satisfactory academic progress.

State of Indiana Grants

Adult Student Grant

The Adult Student Grant, part of the Indiana's You Can. Go Back. program, offers a renewable $2,000 grant to assist returning adult students in starting or completing an associate degree, bachelor’s degree or certificate. To qualify, students must be financially independent as determined by the FAFSA, demonstrate financial need and be enrolled in at least six credit hours. For an application and a complete set of program rules (including completion requirements), visit the Adult Student Grant web page. 

Indiana Higher Education Awards

The Indiana Commission for Higher Education (CHE) administers the Frank O'Bannon Grant/Higher Education Award Program. It is awarded on the basis of need and is restricted to the payment of academic year tuition. It is available for a maximum of eight full-time semesters of undergraduate study. The student must be full-time as of the CHE census date (the end of the fourth week of classes). Application is made on the FAFSA by releasing FAFSA data to an eligible Indiana institution such as USI. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required each year and recipients must maintain satisfactory academic progress. The FAFSA must be received by the federal processor by April 15 to be considered on time and the edit correction deadline has been eliminated.

Since the Indiana Higher Education award is an annual award, it is our policy to apply the maximum amount of the award at the earliest enrolled term if eligible, unless notified in writing to finaid@usi.edu.    

Students who receive state financial aid for the first time during the 2013-2014 academic year or thereafter will be required to meet certain completion requirements to renew state financial aid awards in subsequent years. For more information about credit completion requirements visit Indiana's student financial aid website. 

Twenty-First Century Scholars Program

Income-eligible 7th- and 8th-graders who enroll in the program and fulfill a pledge of good citizenship to the state are guaranteed the cost of four years of college tuition at any participating public college or university in Indiana. Note: At universities that charge tuition by the credit hour, as does USI, the Twenty-First Century Scholars award is limited to a maximum of 15 semester hours in the fall and 15 semester hours in the spring. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required each year and recipients must maintain satisfactory academic progress. The FAFSA must be received by the federal processor by April 15 to be considered on time and the edit correction deadline has been eliminated.

Since the 21^st Century Scholars award is an annual award, it is our policy to apply the maximum amount of the award at the earliest enrolled term if eligible, unless notified in writing to finaid@usi.edu.    

Students who receive state financial aid for the first time during the 2013-2014 academic year or thereafter will be required to meet certain completion requirements to renew state financial aid awards in subsequent years. For more information about credit completion requirements visit Indiana's student financial aid website. 

Indiana National Guard Supplemental Grants

Grants are awarded to eligible members of the Indiana National Guard and are restricted to payment of academic year tuition. Application is made on the FAFSA by releasing FAFSA data to an eligible Indiana institution such as USI. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required each year and recipients must maintain satisfactory academic progress.

Child of Disabled or Deceased Veteran (CDV)

State universities in Indiana waive certain fees for the natural or adopted children of service-connected disabled or deceased Indiana veterans. The veteran must have received an honorable discharge and be an Indiana resident or have an Indiana 'home of record' address on the DD214 form. At USI, waivers of all tuition and instructional fees are available for a total of four years of study (124 semester hours) under the CDV program including study at other state universities. This benefit is available for both undergraduate and graduate study. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required each year and recipients must maintain satisfactory academic progress.

Applications are available in Student Financial Assistance and must be certified by the Indiana Department of Veterans' Affairs in Indianapolis. Student applicants must provide a copy of their birth certificate if the veteran's surname is different from their own. Room, board, books and certain fees are not covered.

For more information, see the Indiana Commission for Higher Education website.

Child of POW/MIA (CDV)

State universities in Indiana waive all tuition and instructional fees for the child of any person who was a resident of Indiana at the time of entry into the U.S. Armed Forces and was classified as a prisoner of war or missing in action after January 1, 1960. Eligible children must have been born before or during the time their parent served as a POW or was declared MIA.

Applications are available in the Student Financial Assistance Office and must be certified by the Indiana Department of Veterans' Affairs in Indianapolis. Student applicants must provide a copy of their birth certificate if the veteran's surname is different from their own. Room, board, books and certain fees are not covered. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required each year and recipients must maintain satisfactory academic progress.

For more information, see the Indiana Commission for Higher Education website.

Child of Indiana Police Officer or Firefighter Killed in the Line of Duty (CVO)

State universities in Indiana waive tuition and certain mandatory fees for the children and spouses of Indiana police officers, firefighters, or EMTs killed or permanently and totally disabled in the line of duty. USI waives full tuition and certain mandatory fees for a maximum of 124 semester hours of study (through age 23 for children). This benefit may be used for undergraduate or graduate study. Full-time enrollment in a degree program is required. Room, board, books and certain fees are not covered. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required each year and recipients must maintain satisfactory academic progress.

For more information or an application, see the Indiana Commission for Higher Education website.

Vocational Rehabilitation Education Assistance

Indiana Rehabilitation Services provide educational assistance to eligible Indiana residents through the Vocational Rehabilitation Division. Student Financial Assistance will coordinate this assistance with other types of aid which may be available. Students should contact the Vocational Rehabilitation Division Office in their region if they think they might qualify for rehabilitative services. Vocational Rehabilitation is listed under "Family and Social Services" in the State Offices section of the phone directory.