First-Year (Incoming) Students Financial Aid & Scholarships

To Apply: Complete the Common App. No separate application is required.

Application Deadline: Apply by November 1 and be admitted Early Action or Early Decision to receive maximum scholarship consideration. Complete applications received after November 1 and admitted Regular Decision will be considered for scholarship based on available funds.

Award Amounts: Range from $18,000 to $30,000 and vary each academic year based on the quality of the applicant pool. You can estimate your own potential scholarship amount using this calculator.

Selection Criteria: Awards are based on the student’s academic record and test scores (if submitted).

Notification: Academic scholarships are included with the offer of admission.

Renewable? Yes, as long as the student maintains the renewal criteria outlined in the scholarship offer.

The Morton-Finney Diversity Scholar Award is awarded to students who take an active role in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in their schools or communities and seek to continue these efforts as Butler students.

Award recipients participate in Butler’s Morton-Finney Diversity Scholars Program where they build community through DEI engagement, attend regularly scheduled cohort meetings, and participate in community service. Recipients also submit monthly journal reflections about their experiences as Diversity Scholars.

For more than 30 years, Butler has awarded Morton-Finney Diversity Scholar Awards, which are named to honor the late Dr. John Morton-Finney, an African American alumnus of Butler University. Dr. Morton-Finney earned 11 degrees and practiced law for 53 years until two years before his death at 108 years of age, making him the oldest practicing attorney in Indiana. In addition to his legal accomplishments, he was also the oldest living member of the World War I Army unit of Black soldiers known as the Buffalo Soldiers. Dr. Morton-Finney believed in education and served the Indianapolis Public School system for 47 years as a teacher and administrator.

Scholarship Instructions, Deadlines, and Next Steps:
Early Action and Early Decision Deadline Applicants

• Submit the Common App and all supporting materials by November 1.
• Complete the Morton-Finney Diversity Scholars Award application form by November 15. (Access to the application will be made available to students on their status page after their application for admission is submitted.)
• Identified applicants will be invited to attend the Butler Blue Scholars’ Day Program and Virtual Interviews in February.

Regular Decision Deadline Applicants

• Submit the Common App and all supporting materials by February 1,.
• Complete the Morton-Finney Diversity Scholars Award application form by February 15. (Access to the application will be made available to students on their status page after their application for admission is submitted.)
• Identified applicants will be invited to attend individual Butler Blue Scholars’ Virtual Interviews in March.

Award Amounts:
Awards range from $5,000 to full tuition (with other Butler gift assistance, state, and federal aid)

Selection Criteria:
Candidates must have applied and been admitted by the November 1 Early Action or Early Decision Deadline or February 1 Regular Decision Deadline. In addition to strong academic rigor and performance, candidates must demonstrate commitment and actions to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion through high school and/or community activities. Candidates with diverse backgrounds and identities who have been historically underrepresented in institutions of higher education are encouraged to apply.

Notification:
Award letters are sent by mid-March.

Renewable?
Yes, as long as the student maintains the renewal criteria outlined in the scholarship offer. Award recipients participate in Butler’s Morton-Finney Diversity Scholars Program and must meet program guidelines which include but are not limited to: attendance at designated meetings, regular DEI campus/community engagement, and regular journal reflections.

Questions?
Contact Associate Director of Admission, Makeda Lands.

The Compass Center Scholarship is awarded to students who have a passion for engaging with people of religious, spiritual, and secular backgrounds that are different than their own.  Whether you have experience engaging with diverse religious and secular communities or aspire to, the Compass Center Scholarship is a tremendous opportunity to pursue these skills, hone your values, and continue to pursue a life of purpose.  It is not required for Compass Center Scholars to have a religious or spiritual affiliation themselves, but they must appreciate hearing and engaging with people of different perspectives, backgrounds, and opinions.

Candidates from diverse backgrounds with an excellent academic record and a commitment to interfaith engagement are highly encouraged to apply. Compass Center Scholars are required to participate in regular meetings of the Scholars cohort and in the interfaith programming as engaged community members through interfaith exploration, leadership opportunities, and service activities.  Additionally, recipients of this award are expected to be excellent students, maintaining at least a 3.0 GPA each semester. The Compass Center Scholar in Residence, Dr. Brent Hege, serves as a mentor and guide and creates a unique Scholar community, supporting student success in the program and at Butler.

The Compass Center Scholarship is offered to fewer than 10 incoming students a year for $4,000 per academic year for the first four years at Butler, presuming Scholars meet all requirements.  The Compass Center Scholarship is a competitive application process for a unique Butler experience.

To Apply:
1. Complete the Common App (and submit all required supporting materials) by our November 1 deadline.

2. Complete the Compass Center Scholarship application by November 15. (Access to the application will be made available to students on their status page after their application for admission is submitted.)

Identified applicants will be invited to attend the Butler Blue Scholars’ Day Program in spring 2025, which will include individual Butler Blue Scholars’ Interviews. Invitations will be sent in December 2024. 

Application Deadline:
Apply for admission by November 1; complete the Compass Center Scholarship application by November 15.

Award Amount:
$4,000 per academic year

Selection Criteria:
Students must be admitted Early Action or Early Decision. In addition to submitting an impactful application essay, ideal candidates should have a strong academic record and have demonstrated interest and participation in two or more of the following:

• Leadership
• Religious Exploration
• Interfaith Engagement
• Service to Others/Social Justice Activism

​Notification:
Award letters are sent by mid-March.

Renewable?
Yes, as long as the student maintains the renewal criteria outlined in the scholarship offer; students should maintain a 3.0 GPA and will be expected to participate at least 10 hours/semester of interfaith engagement on campus.

To Apply: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Application Deadline: Butler’s Priority FAFSA Filing Deadline is April 15.

Award Amounts: Vary based on academic strength and financial aid eligibility as determined by the FAFSA.

Notification: Awards are reflected in Butler’s offer of financial aid.

Renewable? Awards are not automatically renewed. Student must submit the FAFSA each year to receive consideration.

To Apply: In addition to the Common App, an audition, interview, or artwork submission is required.

Application Deadline: Students are encouraged to apply by November 1 and audition early for best opportunity.

Award Amounts: Vary based on performance ability/interview/submitted work and departmental needs.

Selection Criteria: Determined by the department.

Notification: Award letters are sent from the auditioning department by mid–March.

Jordan College of the Arts Award are only available to students majoring within JCA–School of Music; Departments of Dance, Theatre and Arts Administration; and the Arts Program.

To Apply: Contact the Athletics Department.

Award Amounts: Vary based on performance ability and the needs of the team.

Selection Criteria: Determined by the coach.

Awards are made in the NCAA Division I athletic programs. Men’s football and women’s swimming are non-scholarship programs.

This award guarantees gift assistance of full tuition each academic year when combined with all federal, state, and University scholarships and grants.

To Apply: Complete the Common App, and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Potential recipients will be invited to attend the Butler Blue Scholars’ Day in spring 2025, with individual Butler Blue Scholars’ Virtual Interviews to follow. Invitations will be sent by December 2024. 

Application Deadline: Apply to the University by November 1 and be admitted Early Action or Early Decision. Complete the 2025–2026 FAFSA by the end of January 2025.

Selection Criteria: This award is based on financial need as determined by the FAFSA and the following criteria:

• Student must be enrolled in and anticipate graduating from a Marion County high school.
• Solid academic record in high school.
• Participation in high school extracurricular activities and community service projects.

In addition to the above criteria, priority consideration may also be given to:

• High school seniors who are eligible to receive free or reduced lunch as defined by the USDA for the National School Lunch Program
• 21st Century Scholars
• First generation college students
• Indianapolis Public School students

Notification: Award letters will be sent in late February to those selected from the on-campus interview.

Renewable? Yes, as long as the student maintains the renewal criteria outlined in the award offer.

Eligibility: Awards are based solely on financial aid eligibility as determined by the FAFSA and the number of hours enrolled.
Amount: Award amounts of up to $7,395 each year.

Pell-eligible students may choose to charge their books and supplies to their student account.

Frank O’ Bannon Grant, 21st Century Scholarship

Eligibility:

• You must show financial need according to program rules.
• Your FAFSA must be received by the federal processor by April 15, each and every year. You must comply with any requests for additional information and/or corrections to the FAFSA from the state.
• Dependent students and their parents listed on the FAFSA must be domiciled in Indiana on December 31 of the calendar year immediately preceding the award year to receive the scholarship, and students must remain living in the state thereafter. The parents listed on the FAFSA do not need to remain living in Indiana. Once dependent students use a state financial aid award, they have established residency for state financial aid purposes. In subsequent award years, only the student’s residency is considered for eligibility purposes.
• You must be an undergraduate working on an associate or first bachelor’s degree, maintain satisfactory academic progress, not be in default or overpayment, and meet the specific requirements of your chosen major.
• All students must utilize state eligibility within 8 years after the first use. Eligible students are limited to 8 semesters of receiving the grant.
• You must be full-time (12 or more credit hours per semester at census) and remain full-time through the first four weeks of classes or Butler’s refund period, whichever is shorter, to qualify for the full amount of these grants. Changes in enrollment status during the first four weeks of classes may result in full cancellation of the state grants. Contact the Office of Financial Aid for term specific dates and before making changes to your enrollment status.

Amount: Tuition award amounts range from $900–$12,400, depending on financial need and the high school curriculum completed (Indiana Academic Honors diploma).

Beginning with the 2013-2014 academic year, students will be required to meet certain completion requirements to renew state financial aid awards.

Students receiving the Frank O’Bannon Grant or the 21st Century Scholars Award must complete at least 30 credit hours each year to remain eligible for the maximum state financial aid award.  Frank O’Bannon recipients who complete at least 24 credit hours each year will remain eligible for state financial aid but will receive an amount that is less than a student who completes 30 credit hours.

Other Indiana Grant Programs:

Scholarships for Teachers

Mitch Daniels Early Graduation Scholarship

Child of Deceased or Disabled Veteran

Child of Purple Heart Recipient or Wounded Veteran

National Guard Tuition Supplement Grant

For additional information about Indiana Grant Programs, including the Next Generation Hoosiers Educators Scholarship, visit the Indiana Commission for Higher Education website.

*These awards are only to full-time undergraduate students pursuing their first bachelor’s degree.

The Direct Loan is a long-term, low interest student loan available in the form of a subsidized (need-based) and/or unsubsidized (not need-based) loan.

Amount: Annual grade level maximums for dependent students:
Freshman $5,500
Sophomore $6,500
Junior $7,500
Senior $7,500​

• Repayment begins six months after graduating, leaving the university or enrolling less than half-time (six credit hours).
• The fixed interest rate for the Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans adjusts each year on July 1. Refer to studentaid.gov for updates.
  • For Direct Loans disbursed between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025 the interest rate is fixed at 6.53 percent.
  • For Direct Loans disbursed between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024, the interest rate is fixed at 5.50 percent.
• The origination fee for the Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans adjusts each year on October 1. Refer to studentaid.gov for update
  • For Direct Loans disbursed between October 1, 2023 and before September 30, 2025, the origination fee is 1.057 percent.
• Independent students (as determined by the FAFSA) may be eligible for additional Federal Direct Unsubsidized loans.
• Students must be enrolled a minimum of six hours to be eligible for the Federal Direct Loan program.