studentGrants are funds that are usually based on financial need. You usually do not need to repay them.

You are automatically considered for most types of aid, including grants, when you file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by April 15. You need to file a FAFSA every year you are in college.

Federal Grants

Eligibility for the Federal Pell Grant is based on financial need, as determined by the U.S. Department of Education.

The amount of your Pell Grant is determined by what is known as the “Expected Family Contribution” (EFC). This is a federal formula that takes into consideration your parents’ and your own contributions, your family’s size, and family income.

To apply for a Pell Grant, you must annually submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Pell Grant Amounts and Restrictions

Subject to congressional appropriations, a 2019-20 Pell Grant may range from $657 to $6,195 per scheduled award year (two semesters). The amount of your grant will be proportionately reduced if you are enrolled for fewer than 12 hours each semester at Ball State.

Pell Grants are restricted to students pursuing their first undergraduate degrees. You may not receive Pell Grant payments concurrently from more than one institution, even if enrolled part-time at each institution. Lifetime Pell Grant eligibility is limited to the equivalent of 12 full-time semesters.

The amount of the Pell Grant is set at the end of the main campus drop/add period. Awards are not adjusted based on changes in registered hours after that point.

You must begin attendance in all credit hours used to calculate the award, or it must be recalculated based on the credit hours actually attended. A recalculation of the award could result in a charge-back of part (or all) of the award.

The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant program provides grants of up to $4,000 per year to students who agree to teach high-need subject areas in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves students from low-income families.

As a recipient of a TEACH Grant, you must teach for a least four academic years within eight calendar years of completing the program of study for which you received a TEACH Grant.

You must perform the teaching service as a highly qualified teacher at a low-income school as defined by the U.S. Department of Education. The term highly qualified teacher is defined in section 9101(23) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 or in section 602(10) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

If you fail to complete this service obligation, all amounts of the TEACH Grants that you received will be converted to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan. You must then repay this loan to the U.S. Department of Education. You will be charged interest from the date the grant was disbursed. Each year you receive a TEACH Grant, you must sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve.

You must begin attendance in all credit hours used to calculate the award, or it must be recalculated based on the credit hours actually attended. A recalculation of the award could result in a charge-back of part or all of the award.

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is awarded annually, depending on your financial need.

Your financial need is determined from information you report on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  The FAFSA priority deadline is April 15 each year.

The Indiana Frank O’Bannon Higher Education Award grant is awarded to the state’s residents to pay toward tuition and regularly assessed fees. The Indiana Commission for Higher Education (CHE) determines award amounts.

You must reapply each year by submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) no later than April 15. 

You must be working on your first undergraduate degree and taking at least 12 credit hours each semester.  State program guidelines require that you maintain full-time enrollment during the first four weeks of each semester.  Less than full-time enrollment during the first four weeks will result in cancellation of the award.

In order to receive the full-time award, students must maintain satisfactory academic progress and complete 24-29 credit hours.  Students can receive an on-time award if they are able to maintain satisfactory academic progress and complete at least 30 credit hours.

Incoming freshmen who qualify for the Frank O’Bannon Higher Education Award and have an academic or technical honors diploma are also eligible for an additional incentive.  In order to receive the incentive in future years, students must continue to qualify for the grant and maintain at least a 3.0 GPA.

Learn more about the Indiana Frank O’Bannon Higher Education Award grant

The Indiana Evan Bayh 21st Century Scholars grant, awarded to Indiana residents, pays for tuition and regularly assessed fees.  You must have signed a contract with the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (CHE) when you were in the seventh or eighth grade.

You need to reapply each year for funding by submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by April 15. 

You must be working on your first undergraduate degree and taking at least 12 credit hours each semester.  State program guidelines require that you maintain full-time enrollment during the first four weeks of each semester.  Less than full-time enrollment during the first four weeks will result in cancellation of the award.

In order to receive the full-time award, students must maintain satisfactory academic progress and complete 30 credit hours.  Students unable to complete the required hours may still be able to receive an Indiana Frank O’Bannon Higher Education Award if they complete at least 24 credit hours.  Students can regain eligibility for the 21st Century Scholars Award by completing 30 credit hours in the following academic year.  Appeals should be submitted to CHE for consideration.

Learn more about the Indiana Evan Bayh 21st Century Scholars grant

If you are an Indiana resident attending Ball State part-time, you may be eligible for the Adult Student Grant, which covers the cost of tuition and fees. Funding is provided by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (CHE).

You may receive the award for the equivalent of four academic years. Additionally, the awards must be used within eight years after the date you first apply and become eligible for the award. To be eligible, you must:

  • be an Indiana resident and a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
  • be enrolled in at least six credit hours
  • have a completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  • be financially independent as determined by the FAFSA and demonstrate financial need
  • maintain a grade point average that meets satisfactory academic progress requirements
  • complete at least 18 credit hours in previous year to review
  • meet any other minimum criteria established at CHE
You must complete an additional application if you plan to attend part-time during the academic year and wish to be considered. You can complete this application one of two ways:
  1. Apply online at the end of your FAFSA submission. This feature is only available once you are on the confirmation page after submitting the FAFSA.
  2. If you did not complete the Part-Time Grant application directly from the FAFSA, you can apply once the state has received the student's FAFSA data from the federal processor. It can take five to seven days for the federal processor to provide FAFSA data to the state.

You must complete the Adult Student Grant application. Funds are given on a first come, first serve basis, and you must have the FAFSA and application complete to preserve your spot.

Award amounts vary based on funding levels each year.

State program guidelines require that you maintain adequate enrollment during the first four weeks of each semester, or the award will be canceled. Students who initially enroll in a CHE-eligible institution for academic year must maintain satisfactory academic progress and earn 18 credit hours each academic year in order to be considered for renewal.

Appeals should be submitted to CHE for consideration.

Indiana awards National Guard Supplemental Grants to students who are active members of the National Guard and who are Indiana residents. The program pays for tuition and fees.

You may receive the award for the equivalent of four academic years. Additionally, you must use the awards within eight years after the date you first apply and become eligible for the award.

To receive this funding, you must reapply each year by submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by April 15. You must also respond to any information requests from the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (CHE) by May 15.

You must be enrolled in at least six credit hours to receive this award. State program guidelines require that you maintain half-time enrollment during the first four weeks of each semester. Less than full-time enrollment during the first four weeks will result in cancellation of the award.

If you do not meet the program’s academic standards during a semester, you will be placed on warning status. You must meet the GPA requirements the next semester (or its equivalent) in order to continue receiving funding.

Eligibility for this Ball State-funded grant is based on unmet financial need.  Additional aid received after an award is calculated may result in a reduction or cancellation of the grant.

Full-time (12 credit hours) undergraduate students who are Indiana residents can receive funding.

Complete the FAFSA each year to be considered for this grant. The priority date each year is April 15.

Ball State University offers a variety of scholarships to high-achieving students based on their admissions application, test scores (if applicable), academic performance, and other factors. Not all students who meet the minimum qualifications will be offered a scholarship. The number of scholarships awarded each year is dependent on a variety of factors, including but not limited to the size and quality of the incoming freshman class. There is no additional application required for these scholarships and recipients will be notified as they are selected.

The Beneficence Grant is awarded to selected out-of-state freshmen applicants based on a combination of the student’s academic standing and the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as determined by the FAFSA. The award pays up to $5,000 a year ($2,500 per semester) and is renewable for a total of eight semesters (ten semesters for students in an undergraduate major that requires a fifth year to complete). This scholarship may be applied only to institutional charges. All financial aid you receive, when combined with the Beneficence Grant Award, cannot exceed the total cost of attendance. A recipient must be an undergraduate enrolled in on-campus classes as a full-time Bachelor’s degree seeking student.

Renewal: The student must be meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements for financial aid to have this award renewed.


This grant, funded by Ball State, is awarded depending on financial need.

Undergraduate students who are enrolled at least half-time (six credit hours) can receive funding.

Complete the FAFSA each year to be considered for this grant. The priority date each year is April 15.