Purdue University scholarships for first-year applicants include university-wide merit awards and college-based funding opportunities. Eligible domestic students should complete their admission application by 1 November for automatic consideration for university-wide merit scholarships. Some departmental awards require additional steps by 15 December.
Quick Overview
Scholarship Category: Purdue University first-year scholarships
Institution: Purdue University
Target Group: Domestic first-year applicants
Funding Basis: Academic merit and financial need
Automatic Merit Consideration Deadline: 1 November
Scholarship Universe Priority Date: 15 December
Purdue Priority FAFSA Date: 15 April
Purdue University Scholarships for First-Year Applicants
Purdue awards scholarships using academic merit, financial need, or a combination of both. University-wide merit scholarship decisions are based on the admission application.
Applicants who submit a complete admission application by the 1 November Early Action deadline automatically receive consideration for university-wide merit scholarships. Scholarship notification is included with the admission decision for the listed university-wide awards.
Available University-Wide Merit Scholarships
Purdue lists several first-year scholarship options.
Trustees Scholarship
✓ USD 16,000 annually for nonresidents
✓ USD 10,000 annually for Indiana residents
The Trustees Scholarship has a firm 1 November deadline. It uses holistic review and requires a Purdue GPA of 3.00 or higher for renewal.
Presidential Scholarship
✓ USD 10,000 annually for nonresidents
✓ USD 4,000 annually for Indiana residents
The Presidential Scholarship also has a firm 1 November deadline. Students must maintain a Purdue GPA of at least 3.00 to renew the award.
Indy Scholars
✓ Minimum award of USD 10,000 per year
Indy Scholars recipients must accept their admission offer and enroll full-time in Indianapolis. The 1 November deadline and a minimum Purdue GPA of 3.00 for renewal apply.
Lilly Scholars at Purdue Program
✓ Full tuition
The Lilly Scholars at Purdue Program encourages students from under-resourced urban and rural communities to apply. It also encourages students who have faced socioeconomic or educational disadvantages and first-generation college students.
The programme has a firm 1 November deadline. Renewal requires a Purdue GPA of at least 3.00.
National Recognition Programs Scholarship
✓ USD 1,000 per year
This scholarship has a 1 November priority deadline. Eligible students must hold a National Recognition Programs distinction and maintain good academic standing.
Merit Scholarship Evaluation
Purdue reviews the complete admission application when selecting merit scholarship recipients.
The holistic review may consider:
• Academic information from the applicant’s high school
• Grades and curriculum strength
• Performance in courses connected to the intended major
• Admission essays and Purdue-specific questions
• SAT or ACT results, if provided
• Recommendations, if provided
• Evidence of academic commitment
• Leadership, community service, awards, and activities
• Personal experiences and background
Around 15 percent of applicants receive a merit award each year. Purdue states that awards are competitive and nonnegotiable.
Departmental and College-Based Awards
Purdue colleges may offer scholarships for students admitted to their academic programmes. These awards can be based on merit, need, or both.
Some colleges use the Departmental Scholarship Application. Students can access this form through Scholarship Universe and should complete it by the 15 December priority deadline.
Incoming students should use the Admissions Application Portal Login option. Scholarship Universe access may take two to three business days after the admission application is submitted.
Financial Aid Steps
Students who want consideration for scholarships with a need-based component should complete the FAFSA.
Important dates include:
• 15 December: FAFSA deadline for need-based scholarships offered by specific academic departments
• 15 April: Purdue priority FAFSA filing date for federal aid, state aid for Indiana residents, and university-wide need-based scholarships and grants
The FAFSA opens on or before 1 October.
Who Is Eligible?
The listed scholarships are limited to domestic students.
Eligible domestic students include United States citizens, United States nationals, permanent resident aliens, and qualifying aliens lawfully present in the United States who can establish domicile.
International students with F, J, and certain other visa types are not eligible. Purdue notes that international undergraduate students are generally not eligible for financial aid, including scholarships.
Maintaining a Purdue Scholarship
Scholarship recipients may receive up to eight semesters of eligibility while pursuing their first undergraduate degree.
Students must:
• Enroll for the academic year covered by the scholarship.
• Maintain continuous Purdue enrollment.
• Meet the renewal conditions of their specific award.
