The starting point
UE publishes a fully transparent automatic freshman merit grid ($18,000-$30,000 by weighted GPA or test score, whichever benefits you most) plus two Indiana income-gated 'Aces' grants that wipe out out-of-pocket tuition for families under $60,000 AGI.
More than one award path. Some awards use published academic thresholds. Others have different selection criteria. A score chart does not describe every award at this school.
Awards to discuss
First 3 of 15 recorded awards, in chapter display order. This is a selection, not a ranking. Read the full chapter for all awards. Amounts retain the original units and conditions; confirm the entering year with the school.
Academic Merit Scholarship (Fall 2026 Freshman Grid)
$18,000-$30,000 · Published range
Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.
GPA: 3.25+ weighted for named tiers (4.25+ = Presidential $30,000; 4.00 = Dean's $27,000; 3.75 = Faculty $24,000; 3.50 = Academic $21,000; 3.25 = Aces $18,000; below 3.25 = Purple, amount varies) · SAT: 1060+ for named tiers (1390+ Presidential; 1280 Dean's; 1200 Faculty; 1130 Academic; 1060 Aces; below 1060 Purple) · ACT: 21+ for named tiers (30+ Presidential; 27 Dean's; 25 Faculty; 23 Academic; 21 Aces; below 21 Purple)
Eligibility: Awarded on GPA or test score, whichever benefits the student most. UE is test-optional; if no scores, GPA is used. Updated test scores/GPA accepted through February 1, 2026. Domestic freshmen only.
Renewal: Awards are renewable for up to three additional years provided the student continues to meet renewal criteria. Amounts remain the same value in subsequent years.
Other terms: Awarded automatically at the time of admission based on academic credentials; no separate scholarship application is described.
https://www.evansville.edu/student-financial-services/scholarships-for-entering-freshmen-fall-2026.cfm
Academic Merit Scholarships — Transfer Students (Fall 2026/Spring 2027 Grid)
$18,000-$27,000 · Published range
Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.
GPA: College GPA: 3.75+ = $27,000; 3.5-3.74 = $25,000; 3.0-3.49 = $22,000; less than 3.0 = $18,000
Eligibility: Based on cumulative GPA earned at previous institution(s) at time of admission; full-time enrollment (12-18 hours/semester) in a traditional undergraduate first-degree program. Excludes international transfers and certain programs (ABSN, Transition to Teaching, etc.).
Renewal: Amounts remain the same value in subsequent years; total of all UE scholarships/gift aid will not exceed full-time tuition equivalency.
Other terms: Distinct transfer grid; awarded at the time of admission.
https://www.evansville.edu/student-financial-services/scholarships-for-transfer-students-2026-2027.cfm
Engagement Awards (Official Campus Visit & Changing Lives Essay)
$500-$1,000 · Published range
Not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules.
Eligibility: Official Campus Visit ($1,000/yr): in-person guided campus tour and admission counselor session or in-person group visit day by May 1, 2026 (Fall 2026 applicants). Changing Lives Essay ($500/yr): submit registration form and essay by May 1, 2026.
Renewal: Listed as renewable awards with 4-year values ($4,000 visit / $2,000 essay).
Other terms: Stackable engagement awards requiring an action step with a hard May 1 deadline.
https://www.evansville.edu/student-financial-services/scholarships-for-entering-freshmen-fall-2026.cfm
Ask before you decide
- Which entering-year policy and residency category apply to us? What are the admission and scholarship deadlines?
- What grades and credits are required to renew, and for how many terms?
- How would other school awards or outside scholarships change the offer?
Recorded stacking policy: All UE institutional scholarships/gift aid combined are capped at the equivalency of full-time tuition (12-18 credit hours/semester). Total gift aid from all sources (including outside scholarships) is capped at directly billed charges (tuition, fees, housing, meal plan) plus a $2,500 book/expense allowance for residents — tuition + fees + $2,500 for commuters. Gift aid above the cap causes UE to reduce its own gift aid. When federal aid is in the package and need would be exceeded, reductions happen in this order: loans, work, Federal SEOG, then UE grants. 'Special Scholarships' (TASL, Moore, Nursing, etc.) do not stack with the Academic Merit Scholarship — students get whichever is higher.
Our unanswered questions / Family notes
