Scholarships & Financial Aid

Alpha Blackburn Scholarship for the Arts
Award amount: Up to $500

The Alpha Blackburn Scholarship for the Arts was established in 2013 to support undergraduate scholarships for full-time incoming freshmen enrolled in any area of study at Herron School of Art and Design. The recipient must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and demonstrate outstanding talent, as determined by Herron faculty. Special consideration will be given to underrepresented populations including, but not limited to, financially challenged students and/or students with diverse cultural experiences. Preference will be given to African American students who demonstrate financial need.

David K. Rubins Scholarship
Award amount: Up to $1,600

Established in 1986, the David K. Rubins Scholarship is awarded annually to incoming freshmen who will be enrolled full-time. Recipients must meet criteria that includes scholastic record, financial need, and a portfolio which emphasizes an ability to draw from life as opposed to drawing from photographs, in addition to other drawings or two-dimensional work. Students applying to the David K. Rubins Scholarship must submit a separate application and five additional images demonstrating their ability to draw from life.

Douglas L. Tillman Scholarship
Award amount: Up to $1,700

Established in 2007, the Douglas L. Tillman Scholarship goes to an incoming freshman or current undergraduate or graduate student currently enrolled in Herron School of Art and Design who is in good academic standing with a minimum GPA of 2.5. Preference will be given to a minority student.

Frank A. Vietor Scholarship
Award amount: Up to $2,000

The Frank A. Vietor Scholarship is awarded to one full-time incoming freshman student. Recipient is determined by consideration of his/her scholastic record, portfolio, or performance in a structured competition that indicates the student’s potential to benefit from continued attendance at Herron School of Art and Design.

Joseph L. Van Sickle Scholarship
Award amount: Up to $3,000

Established in 1990, the Joseph L. Van Sickle Scholarship supports undergraduate students in memory of Orval Scott and Martha Rhodus Van Sickle. Recipient is determined by consideration of her/her scholastic record and/or portfolio.

Shared Heritage Scholarship
Award amount: $2,500 per year, renewable for up to 4 years

The Shared Heritage Scholarship was established in 1996 in conjunction with the Shared Heritage exhibition at the Indianapolis Museum of Art in recognition of four African American artists: John W. Hardrick, William Majors, William E. Scott, and Hale Woodruff. Incoming freshmen or transfer students applying to be full-time students to Herron School of Art and Design are eligible for this scholarship. Preference will be given to minority students. This scholarship is renewable for students who maintain good academic standing with a minimum GPA of 2.5. Students that add to the diversity at Herron are encouraged to apply.

Walter and Helen Mowrey Scholarship
Award amount: Up to $2,700

Established in 1996, the Walter and Helen Mowrey Scholarship gives preference to students who have graduated from high school in either Lawrence or Warren townships in Marion County, Indiana. Students must pursue further education in art or design at Herron School of Art and Design.

Herron Nonresident Award Program

The Herron Nonresident Award Program will allow certain nonresident Herron students currently seeking an undergraduate baccalaureate degree who meet the following requirements and residency restrictions to study at IU Indianapolis for no more than 150% of the in-state resident tuition rate. The estimated tuition rates for this award program can be found by using the IU cost estimator calculator.

Residents of the following states are eligible for this award: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming. In order to be eligible, the student must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4-point scale.

Indiana Partners

Indiana Partners offer a reduced tuition rate for IU Indianapolis students enrolling from select states and meeting additional criteria, such as a minimum GPA or specific program enrollment. Students in Indiana Partners tuition states save an average of 57 percent.

To be eligible for Indiana Partners tuition, you must reside in one of the participating states and be admitted to IU Indianapolis as an undergraduate degree-seeking student or graduate student in select programs. This includes full- and part-time traditional undergraduate students, transfer students, second-degree students, and returning adult students.

There is no application process for Indiana Partners tuition. If you live in one of the participating states, you automatically qualify for the reduced rate upon admission to IU Indianapolis. Undergraduate applicants who are residents of Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, or Puerto Rico who have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher will also be classified as Indiana Partners for tuition purposes.

Learn more about the program and whether or not you qualify on the IU Indianapolis Indiana Partners page.

Admission-based scholarships

Admission-based scholarships are automatically awarded based by your high school GPA and SAT or ACT scores. No separate scholarship applications are required for these awards. Some admission-based scholarships are based on need, so be sure to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after the FAFSA opens on Dec. 1 for priority consideration.

Honors College scholarships

Competitive scholarships to high-achieving incoming freshmen who apply to IU Indianapolis and the IU Indianapolis Honors College by Nov. 15.

Competitive scholarships

IU Indianapolis offers additional scholarship opportunities for a wide range of students, including under-represented populations, transfer students, and students who perform service in their community, as well as awards for certain academic majors and programs. These awards may require a separate scholarship application, an essay specific to the scholarship, or the FAFSA.

Indy Achieves

If you're a resident of Marion County, Indiana, you may qualify for Indy Achieves, a series of support programs geared to helping you achieve a lifetime of success during and after your IU Indianapolis education. In addition to connecting students with mentors and success coaches, Indy Achieves assists qualified students receiving state financial aid with additional funds to cover remaining tuition, fees, and supplies.

External scholarships

Aside from Herron and IU Indianapolis scholarships, there is a world of other scholarship opportunities. Check out IU Indianapolis' External Scholarship Guide to see just a few examples of where to look. When reporting external scholarships, please follow the process laid out on the IU Indianapolis Scholarships webpage.

Incoming undergraduate students may apply for IU Indianapolis and Herron scholarships through IU Indianapolis' scholarship system. Simply follow the steps below.

1. Complete IU Indianapolis' online application. You must select a Herron major in your IU Indianapolis application in order to be considered for Herron scholarships.
2. Submit your portfolio to Herron's SlideRoom. For detailed instructions and tips on preparing your portfolio, click here.
3. Complete the "General Scholarship" application. To access the application, go to one.iu.edu and search for "Scholarships."

Scholarship consideration deadlines are listed below. Additional Herron and IU Indianapolis scholarships are available and, each year, you can apply for as many scholarships as desired.