Scholarships & Grants
SCHOLARSHIPS
A scholarship is an award of money that does not need to be repaid or earned through employment. Some scholarships are awarded on the basis of a student’s athletic or other special merits. Others are given solely on the basis of academic excellence. Generally, scholarships based on academic achievement are called merit scholarships. At Purdue University, all beginning students are automatically considered for most merit scholarships.
Other scholarships, awarded through the Division of Financial Aid (DFA), are based on the student’s academic qualifications and demonstrated financial need. Purdue University scholarships are funded by donations to the University from a wide variety of sources. Included are foundations, trusts, and bequests, as well as scholarships provided by businesses, industries, and individuals interested in supporting students.
Purdue alumni scholarships demonstrate the generosity of alumni and friends who have made gifts to the Purdue Alumni Foundation for scholarships.
GRANTS
Grants are similar to scholarships because they are not repaid or earned through employment. Eligibility for grants requires only that students demonstrate need and make satisfactory academic progress.
FEE REMISSIONS
A fee remission is an award that cancels all or part of a student’s fees and/or tuition. Consequently, these are the only college expenses to which a fee remission may be applied.
Depending on the particular program, a fee remission may be similar to a scholarship (requiring above-average academic records) or a grant (requiring satisfactory academic progress). Some fee remissions are based on need, but some are not.
TAX CREDITS
Federal tax credits may be subtracted from the tax a student or family owes or be subtracted from taxable income like a tax deduction. A student or family must file a federal tax return, and eligibility varies based upon income.
PRIVATE AWARDS
A private outside award is money given to students by persons or organizations outside the University. Such awards may range from a few hundred dollars given by a local service club to several thousand dollars awarded by a large corporation. Normally, the donor of the award selects the recipients. Donors also set eligibility and method of payment, as well as award amounts.
Consult employers, local service or professional organizations, trade unions, foundations, churches, etc., to learn more about those in your area who may be potential outside award donors. A free scholarship search is available on the Internet at www.fastweb.com.
HOW TO BE CONSIDERED
You must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)/Renewal Application to be considered for most grants, scholarships, and fee remissions at Purdue University.
In general, students who file by the priority filing deadline will be considered for all programs for which they may be eligible. The amount of grant or scholarship assistance awarded will depend on the extent of a student’s need and the amount of funds available.
BASIC ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION
Because the number of students qualifying for aid and the amount of available funds can vary, the proportion of grants and scholarships to work-study and loans in a student’s aid package may vary from year to year.
The Division of Financial Aid uses a standardized formula to guarantee all students equal consideration for available funds. Generally, students will assume more responsibility for self-help aid (work and loans) as they progress through school. Space is insufficient to detail the formula for gift-aid eligibility. Students who have questions about how their scholarship and grant eligibility was calculated may consult with a financial aid counselor.