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 $18,000 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.

*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.

 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 + Design for additional information.

Theatre Scholarship

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

Church Matching Scholarship Program

Indiana Wesleyan University will match a local church’s contribution to its Church Matching 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 2026-2027 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.

Wesleyan Student Aid

Acknowledging its Wesleyan heritage, Indiana Wesleyan University supports our relationship to The Wesleyan Church and eagerly seeks to enroll increased numbers of Wesleyan students. The following financial aid programs have been developed to assist Wesleyan students in furthering their education at Indiana Wesleyan University.

Wesleyan Missionary Dependent Grant

The award amount is 75 percent of tuition for up to eight semesters. The recipient must, Inreside on campus, be a full-time undergraduate student, and apply for all other forms of federal and state financial aid. Parent(s) must serve full-time under direct appointment of the Global Partners or Wesleyan Native American Ministries during the academic year in which the award is received. The recipient may NOT also receive the Out-of-State Wesleyan Grant, the International Wesleyan Grant, or the Wesleyan Pastor Dependent Grant.

Out-of-State Wesleyan Grant

This award is available to full-time students who regularly attended a Wesleyan Church outside the state of Indiana immediately prior to enrolling at Indiana Wesleyan University. The award of $2,000 is given only to full-time, undergraduate, U.S. resident students.

Wesleyan Pastor Dependent Grant

A recipient must be a dependent undergraduate child of a full-time ordained minister serving in a local Wesleyan church during the academic year in which the award is granted. The student must enroll full-time; the amount is 75 percent of tuition and will be provided through the combination of all scholarships and grants from federal, state and institutional programs.

Campus Challenge/Wesleyan Bible Bowl (WBB) Scholarship

The recipient must submit the original scholarship certificates to the Financial Aid Office prior to fall enrollment. Awards earned or certificates submitted AFTER that time may be available for use in future academic years. Full-time students may use up to $1,000 per academic year (divided one-half each semester) UNLESS the current certificates held total in excess of $4,000, in which case the student may use one-fourth of the total per academic year. Recipients must also attend full-time.

John Wesley Scholarship

Accepted Wesleyan undergraduate students must submit an application prior to the deadline to the Admissions Office to be considered for this award. This award is provided by various donors to allow funding for students who may otherwise be unable to attend IWU. Award amounts vary based on funds available and the scholarship committee’s determination of the student’s need for the scholarship.

International Wesleyan Grant

International students attending IWU may be awarded a $3,000 grant. The grant is renewable for up to eight semesters of eligibility and student must remain enrolled full-time each semester. Eligibility for any academic merit scholarship supersedes and replaces this award. Not eligible to receive the Wesleyan Canadian Grant in addition to this award. Eligibility ends when first bachelor's degree is earned.

Wesleyan Ministerial Loan/Grant

In cooperation with the Wesleyan Church, the Wesleyan Ministerial Grant is available to on-campus, online, and seminary ministry students who are enrolled in an approved degree program that fulfills the ordination requirements of The Wesleyan Church.

Eligible students may receive up to $4,000 per academic year, with a maximum lifetime award of $8,000.

Detailed eligibility requirements and program information are available through The Wesleyan Church:

Wesleyan Ministerial Education Grant

Renewal Requirements:

An application is required for initial consideration. For renewal, students must submit verification of their continued credentialing status with their Wesleyan district.

See The Wesleyan Church website for specific information.

Wesleyan Ministerial Education Grant