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Indiana University Bloomington
Cost & Financial Aid

Scholarship opportunities beyond IU

External scholarships—awards offered by organizations outside Indiana University—can help you reduce college costs and expand your financial support. Whether you’re a future Hoosier or a current student, there are many trusted resources to help you find funding that fits your goals.

Graduate funding support

Explore the GradGrants Center

Graduate students can receive one‑on‑one help identifying external funding opportunities—including grants, fellowships, and scholarships—through IU’s GradGrants Center.

Expand your search for scholarship support

External scholarships are a valuable way to supplement your financial aid and make your IU education more affordable. These awards come from national organizations, community groups, foundations, employers, and international sponsors. Many students combine IU scholarships with external funding to reduce out-of-pocket costs and borrow less.

There are a considerable number of scholarships available from sources outside of IU. We encourage you to look for scholarship opportunities in unexpected places in your community, like public schools, nonprofit organizations, and area businesses. Check with your guidance counselor about available scholarships in your community, city, and state.

We strongly discourage using paid services to connect to external scholarships.

On this page you’ll find curated resources to help you search for scholarships that match your background, interests, and academic plans. Search external scholarships for all students, scholarships for international students, and important information to know if you secure an external scholarship.

External scholarships for all students

Scholarships for international students

What to know if you have an external scholarship

You may be coming to IU Bloomington with a scholarship from a civic or service organization, a private foundation, the military, or a church, just to name a few. If so, there are a few things you need to know:

  • Make sure your donor has the information they need: Please make sure your donor completes the External Scholarship Donor Form. If a donor is paying via ACH (Automated Clearing House), they should notify Student Central via the Secure Contact Form. Other payment types do not require contacting us via this form.

  • Find out when your scholarship funds will be processed: If you are expecting an external scholarship, advise your donor to send the check as soon as possible. Your scholarship will not be reflected on your account until we receive the scholarship check. Your donor may also want to review helpful information on when to submit funds.

    Note that our busiest times are mid-July through early October and late December through January.

  • Understand what happens if you withdraw from IU: If you withdraw from IU Bloomington before your scholarship funds are applied to your account, we’ll use the documentation your donor submitted to do one of two things:

    • Return the funds to your donor
    • Apply the funds to the most recent semester in which you were enrolled
      • Because scholarship agreements vary, students should contact their donor or scholarship provider with questions about how funds would be handled in the event of withdrawal
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