Purdue University Undergraduate Scholarship (2026-2027)

Purdue University Undergraduate (Bachelor's) United States (West Lafayette & Indianapolis)

Scholarship Description

Purdue University offers a range of university-wide merit-based scholarships for incoming undergraduate students. These prestigious awards recognize academic excellence, leadership, and personal achievement. Scholarships are highly competitive — each year, only about 15% of applicants receive a merit award.

Founded in 1869, Purdue University is a world-renowned public research university located in West Lafayette, Indiana, with a growing campus in Indianapolis. Known for its engineering, business, agriculture, pharmacy, and computer science programs, Purdue is committed to providing a world-class education with endless opportunities for innovation and impact.

The main scholarships include the Trustees Scholarship, Presidential Scholarship, Indy Scholars, Lilly Scholars at Purdue Program, and the National Recognition Programs Scholarship. Awards range from $1,000 per year to full tuition.

Scholarship Location

Scholarships are tenable at Purdue University campuses in West Lafayette, Indiana (main campus) and Indianapolis, Indiana. The Indy Scholars scholarship specifically requires enrollment at the Indianapolis campus.

Scholarship Deadline

The primary deadline for university-wide merit scholarships is November 1 (firm). To meet a scholarship deadline, your admission application must be complete by that date.

Priority Deadline for Merit Scholarships: November 1, 2026 (firm deadline for Trustees, Presidential, Lilly Scholars, and Indy Scholars)

National Recognition Programs Scholarship: November 1 (priority)

FAFSA Priority Filing Date for Need-Based Aid: April 15, 2026 (FAFSA opens October 1)

Notification: Scholarship decisions are included with admission decision notifications.

Host Institution

Purdue University – a top-tier public research university founded in 1869. Purdue is renowned globally for its engineering, technology, business, agriculture, pharmacy, and veterinary medicine programs. The university is committed to "boundless" education, innovation, and making a bigger impact on the world.

Level and Fields of Study

Level: Undergraduate (first bachelor's degree).

Fields: All undergraduate majors offered at Purdue University are eligible. Purdue offers over 200 undergraduate majors across its colleges, including Engineering, Science, Business, Agriculture, Liberal Arts, Pharmacy, Health Sciences, Computer Science, Education, and more.

Target Group

Domestic students only. Eligible students include United States citizens, U.S. nationals, permanent resident aliens, and aliens lawfully present in and able to establish domicile in the U.S. per federal immigration laws. International students who hold F, J, and some other visa types are not eligible for these university-wide merit scholarships.

Scholarship Types, Duration & Amount

Trustees Scholarship:

$16,000 per year (nonresidents)
$10,000 per year (Indiana residents)
Deadline: November 1 (firm)
Renewable with Purdue GPA of 3.00 or higher
Up to four years (eight semesters) of eligibility

Presidential Scholarship:

$10,000 per year (nonresidents)
$4,000 per year (Indiana residents)
Deadline: November 1 (firm)
Renewable with Purdue GPA of 3.00 or higher
Up to four years (eight semesters) of eligibility

Indy Scholars:

$10,000 per year minimum
Deadline: November 1 (firm)
Renewable with Purdue GPA of 3.00 or higher
Must accept offer and enroll as a full-time student in Indianapolis

Lilly Scholars at Purdue Program:

Full tuition
Deadline: November 1 (firm)
Encourages students from under-resourced urban and rural populations who have overcome socioeconomic or educational disadvantages or who are among the first generation in their family to attend college
Renewable with Purdue GPA of 3.00 or higher
Must agree to the program's opt-in process

National Recognition Programs Scholarship:

$1,000 per year
Deadline: November 1 (priority)
Requires National Recognition Programs distinction
Renewable with good academic standing
Domestic students only

📊 Summary of Purdue Merit Scholarships:
Trustees: $16k/year (nonresidents) or $10k/year (residents)
Presidential: $10k/year (nonresidents) or $4k/year (residents)
Indy Scholars: $10k/year minimum (Indianapolis campus)
Lilly Scholars: Full tuition
National Recognition: $1k/year

Renewability: All require continuous full-time enrollment and meeting Purdue GPA requirements (generally 3.00 or higher). Up to four years (eight semesters) while pursuing first undergraduate degree.

Scholarship Eligibility

Citizenship: Domestic students only (U.S. citizens, nationals, permanent residents, and aliens lawfully present in the U.S.). International students on F, J, and similar visas are not eligible.

Academic criteria: Holistic review of admission application, including academic information, essay, recommendations, and additional personal experience information. Purdue does not publish minimum GPA or test score requirements, as the review is holistic and highly competitive.

Deadline compliance: Complete admission application by November 1 (firm).

Enrollment: Must enroll in the academic year for which the scholarship was awarded and remain continuously enrolled at Purdue as a full-time student.

Renewability requirements: Maintain Purdue GPA of 3.00 or higher (for most scholarships) and meet individual scholarship renewability requirements.

✅ Eligible Candidates

Domestic students (U.S. citizens, nationals, permanent residents).
Incoming first-year undergraduate students.
Complete admission application by November 1 deadline.
Demonstrate strong academic credentials, leadership, and personal achievement.
For Lilly Scholars: from under-resourced urban/rural populations, overcome socioeconomic/educational disadvantages, or first-generation college students.
For National Recognition: hold National Recognition Programs distinction.

❌ Ineligible Candidates

International students on F, J, or similar visa types.
Students who do not complete admission application by November 1.
Transfer students (these scholarships are for incoming first-year students).
Students seeking second bachelor's degrees.
Those not meeting continuous enrollment requirements.

Application Procedure

Submit admission application – Complete the Purdue University undergraduate admission application (Common App or Purdue application) by November 1.
Submit required materials – Ensure all required documents (transcripts, test scores if submitting, essays, recommendations) are received by the deadline. To meet a scholarship deadline, your admission application must be complete.
No separate scholarship application required – For Trustees, Presidential, Indy Scholars, Lilly Scholars, and National Recognition scholarships, there is no separate scholarship application. Scholarship consideration is based on the information provided in your admission application.
Holistic review – Purdue reviews applications holistically, considering academic information, essay, recommendations, and additional personal experience information.
Receive admission and scholarship decision – Scholarship notification is included with the admission decision. Awards are nonnegotiable. Purdue does not match offers from other institutions and does not consider appeals for merit aid.
Submit FAFSA for need-based aid (optional but recommended) – To be considered for need-based federal, state, and Purdue funding sources, submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the priority filing date of April 15. The FAFSA opens October 1.
Accept offer and enroll – Accept your offer of admission and enroll as a full-time student. For Indy Scholars, you must enroll at the Indianapolis campus. For Lilly Scholars, you must agree to the program's opt-in process.

Important notes:

Scholarships are highly competitive — about 15% of applicants receive a merit award.
Awards are based on credentials presented at the time of application and are nonnegotiable.
Purdue does not match offers from other institutions and does not consider appeals for merit aid.
Scholarship criteria are nonnegotiable and subject to change without notice.
The total award amount may be adjusted if your overall financial aid package exceeds Purdue's cost of attendance.

Official Website & Application Link

Purdue University – Scholarships & Financial Aid Official Page

Undergraduate Admission Application: https://admissions.purdue.edu/apply/

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid): https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

Contact: Purdue Office of Admissions | Phone: (765) 494-1776 | Email: [email protected]

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💡 Final Thoughts and Key Requirements

Purdue University's merit scholarships offer significant financial support for domestic undergraduate students. The Trustees Scholarship provides up to $16,000 per year for nonresidents, while the Presidential Scholarship offers $10,000 per year. The Lilly Scholars Program is particularly notable, offering full tuition to students from under-resourced backgrounds or first-generation college students.

Key strategies for a successful application:

Submit your admission application by November 1 — this is a firm deadline for merit scholarship consideration.
Ensure your application is complete with all required materials (transcripts, essays, recommendations).
Write a compelling essay and provide strong recommendations, as Purdue uses holistic review.
For Lilly Scholars, highlight any socioeconomic disadvantages, first-generation status, or educational challenges you have overcome.
For National Recognition Scholarship, ensure you have the required distinction and apply by November 1 (priority).
If you need need-based aid, submit the FAFSA by April 15.

Important reminders:

Only about 15% of applicants receive merit awards — competition is high.
Purdue does not negotiate merit awards or match offers from other institutions.
To maintain your scholarship, maintain a Purdue GPA of 3.00 or higher and remain continuously enrolled as a full-time student.
International students on F, J, or similar visas are not eligible for these scholarships.

Purdue University Undergraduate Scholarship 2026 – FAQ

What merit scholarships does Purdue offer?

Purdue offers the Trustees Scholarship ($16k/year nonresidents / $10k/year residents), Presidential Scholarship ($10k/year nonresidents / $4k/year residents), Indy Scholars ($10k/year minimum), Lilly Scholars (full tuition), and National Recognition Programs Scholarship ($1k/year).

What is the deadline for merit scholarships?

The firm deadline for Trustees, Presidential, Indy Scholars, and Lilly Scholars is November 1. Your admission application must be complete by this date.

Do I need to submit a separate scholarship application?

No. For these university-wide merit scholarships, consideration is based solely on your admission application. No separate application is required.

Are international students eligible?

No. These scholarships are for domestic students only (U.S. citizens, nationals, permanent residents). International students on F, J, or similar visas are not eligible.

How many students receive merit scholarships?

About 15% of applicants receive a merit award each year. Scholarships are highly competitive.

Can I appeal or negotiate my merit award?

No. Purdue does not match offers from other institutions and does not consider appeals for merit aid. Awards are based on credentials presented at application and are nonnegotiable.

What are the renewal requirements?

Most scholarships are renewable for up to four years (eight semesters) based on continuous full-time enrollment and maintaining a Purdue GPA of 3.00 or higher.

Does Purdue offer need-based aid?

Yes. The Purdue Division of Financial Aid administers need-based aid. Submit the FAFSA by April 15 (priority filing date) to be considered.