Scholarships and Grants

National Merit Finalist/Semifinalist Scholarship

National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test finalists and semifinalists are eligible to receive a National Excellence Scholarship award but are not eligible for other IWU academic scholarships. The National Excellence Scholarship is $15,000 and includes students who are National Merit Semi-Finalists or Finalists, National Achievement recipients or in the National Hispanic Recognition Program.

The student must be an entering freshman, submit a copy of the National Merit Certificate, have a 3.5 high school GPA, and enroll full-time each semester. National Merit Scholarships are renewable for up to eight consecutive semesters. To renew, students must be enrolled full-time (at least 12 credit hours fall and spring semesters) and must achieve a 3.2 minimum cumulative GPA. These credits must be completed by the end of May term each year. National Merit Scholarships are not available for enrollment in summer sessions, nor will credits earned or GPA achieved in summer sessions count toward eligibility requirements until the following fall or spring calculation. If lost, the scholarship may be reinstated following completion of the next fall or spring term. If a student loses his or her National Merit award due to academic performance, the semester in which the student did not receive the award is still counted toward the total 8 semesters of eligibility.

Academic Scholarships

Academic awards are available to new first-time freshmen based upon their excellence in their high school studies as shown by their standardized test scores and high school grade point average. These two measures of academic achievement combine to place students into eligibility for the following award levels.

Academic Awards 2024-2025

*Must maintain SAP for renewal.

Transfer Academic Scholarship

A full-time transfer student who has attended at least one full-time semester (at least 12 credit hours) at an approved college or university may qualify with a minimum transfer GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. A GPA on transfer work from more than one college or university will be calculated using a weighted average. A student with less than 12 credit hours must meet the requirements for the freshman Academic Scholarship. It is the student’s responsibility to submit the necessary transcripts and test scores at the time of application for admission to Indiana Wesleyan University.

Transfer Academic Scholarships are renewable for students who enroll full-time (at least 12 credit hours fall and spring semesters) and maintain SAP. Credits must be completed by the end of May term each year to count towards the GPA minimum. Transfer Academic Scholarships are not available for enrollment in summer sessions, nor will credits earned or GPA achieved in summer sessions count toward eligibility requirements until the following fall or spring calculation. If lost, the scholarship may be reinstated following completion of the next fall or spring term, if eligibility requirements are met; however, recipient will have fewer semesters of eligibility remaining. Transfer Academic Scholarships are available for renewal for a total of six semesters.

Transfer Academic Scholarship 2024-2025

Athletic Scholarships

Several awards are granted each year to both men and women participating in intercollegiate athletics. Awards are made upon recommendation of coaches of the individual sports.

Music Scholarship

Scholarships are available by audition to qualified full-time students majoring in music. Contact the Division of Music for additional information.

Art Scholarship

Scholarships are available to qualified full-time students majoring in art. Contact the Division of Art for additional information.

Theatre Scholarship

Scholarships are available to qualified full-time students. Contact the Division of Communication and Theatre for additional information.

Church Matching Scholarship Program

Indiana Wesleyan University will match a local church’s contribution to its Matching Church Scholarship Fund up to a maximum of $1,000 per undergraduate student attending our residential campus. We will match up to $1,500 for Wesleyan churches. To qualify, the church must file an application with the Church Relations Office prior to the first day of classes each academic year.

IWU Triangle Scholarship

The IWU Triangle Scholarship was developed to ensure select students from Grant, Blackford, Howard, Miami, and Wabash counties have access and added incentive to attend college locally. The amount of this award will vary based on student demographic information, financial need, and funding available. Eligible students are packaged with this award based on information received from the FAFSA and the admissions application.

Frank O'Bannon State Grant Program - Indiana Residents Only

The Commission for Higher Education (CHE) administers this grant program based on financial need. Potential recipients must submit the FAFSA and have it received at the federal processor by April 15th. Recipients must be full-time students. Awards vary and are dependent on the type of diploma received and state funding. Full renewal requires the student to complete at least 30 credit hours a year. An increased award is available for students who complete at least 39 credit hours per year.

Indiana 21st Century Scholars Program - Indiana Residents Only

Potential recipients applied in their 7th or 8th grade year to be part of the program and fulfilled a pledge of good citizenship. Recipients must submit their FAFSA and have it received at the federal processor by April 15th annually. The student must also enroll full-time in an approved Indiana institution. Full renewal requires the student to complete at least 30 credit hours each year.

Pastor Dependent Grant

A recipient must be a dependent undergraduate child of a full-time ordained minister serving in a local church during the academic year in which the award is granted. The student must enroll full-time; the amount is $1,800 per academic year.

Federal PELL Grant

Any U.S. citizen who does not have a baccalaureate degree can apply for a Pell grant by completing the FAFSA. Awards are based on financial need; amounts are capped at $7,395 for the 2020-2021 academic year.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

These awards range from $100 to $4,000 per year, depending upon financial need and funding received by IWU. Recipients must also be eligible for the Federal Pell Grant.

Indiana Wesleyan University Grant

Funds provided by IWU available to students who file a timely FAFSA and meet eligibility criteria. Amount varies based on student’s calculated need, other financial aid received, and funding available.

Shugart Grant

Funds for this award are made available through a trust given to Indiana Wesleyan University in memory of Henry M. and Anna Shugart. Recipients must reside in Indiana and file a FAFSA that is received by the federal processor by April 15th. Amount varies based on student’s calculated need, other financial aid received, and funding level.