Here is everything you need to know about scholarships to study at Purdue University, from a list of opportunities to how to apply to them.
Ensuring to graduate on time and debt-free is the biggest challenge for today’s students. As the global economy is in serious state, the cost of higher education has skyrocketed to its highest point in the last decade. This makes any type of assistance even more crucial to students.
The challenge may go as far as stopping some students from eyeing the best schools. However, quality education does not always equate to stifling tuition fees.
Some institutions are known to care about their students, such as Purdue University which continues to provide their students with life-changing scholarships year after year.
You can take advantage of these scholarships to study at Purdue University and graduate from one of the leading schools in the United States. We have compiled everything you need to know about Purdue University scholarships, including those for future and current students.
Purdue University Rank 2023: Is Purdue University a Good School?
Purdue University has a long history. Formed through the Land-Grant College Act of 1862, Purdue has seen how the United States rose on its feet after the Civil War. Once a small collection of buildings, Purdue has evolved into a global university that produces excellent graduates.
The university boasts of being ranked 129th in the QS World University Rankings 2023. In addition, Purdue offers generous financial assistance as you will see below. Thanks to these packages, students from all backgrounds can pursue their dream major and graduate debt-free.
Purdue is recognized for its accessibility and excellence in research. It is also committed to many other initiatives such as those set out in Purdue’s Next Moves, a Purdue strategic plan to improve the quality of education and research efforts. Eventually, this plan is expected to further the betterment of the world.
Moreover, Purdue aims to be the best institution, especially in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) research. Purdue also strives to provide international education and breakthrough learning for all.
That being said, if you are looking for a university with a rich history, solid rankings, proven research results, and equitable support for all students, look no further than Purdue University.
How Hard Is It to Get into Purdue? Here’s Purdue Acceptance Rate
You may be wondering, “Is getting into Purdue tough?” The short answer is no. The long answer is, while Purdue University values academic success, it does not mean that a Purdue acceptance rate is unattainable.
For example, in the 2020-2021 academic year, more than 57,000 students applied, and nearly 38,500 were accepted. In other words, Purdue University has a 67% acceptance rate and moderate selection.
Several factors influence whether or not your application will be considered, including your SAT or ACT scores and grades throughout high school.
The good news is that Purdue is known to be more flexible than other top schools in the country.
If you aspire to enter Purdue, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, the earlier you prepare your application, the higher your chances of being admitted. Next, you should work on these key points as soon as you make your decision:
- GPA of at least 3.69 out of a 4.00 scale
- Minimum SAT score of 1315 and ACT score of 29
Additionally, Purdue weighs in your profile. The more unique it is, the better. Also, pay attention to deadlines to guarantee your admission. This is especially important if you are applying for scholarships to study at Purdue University.
How to Apply to Purdue Departmental Scholarships
As we mentioned earlier, Purdue University is committed to providing an education that is accessible to students from any walk of life. The provision of financial aid allows prospective students to study in a major of their choice without worrying about breaking the bank.
Most departments at Purdue offer scholarships on their own. While all applicants are automatically considered for these scholarships through the submission of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), some faculties may require separate applications.
To be considered for Purdue departmental scholarships, incoming students must complete and submit an admission application by November 1. This is the Early Action Application deadline. Meanwhile, the closing date for current students is January 1. Unlike freshmen, these students only need to submit FAFSA.
However, there are exceptions for those who apply to the College of Education, College of Health and Human Sciences, and Polytechnic Institute. Freshmen from these colleges are required to complete separate applications through Scholarship Universe, as are current students.
Most departments screen applicants based on need, merit, or a combination of the two.
In addition to the departmental scholarships are the Purdue Supplemental Scholarships. These schemes are only available in the following departments:
- Agriculture
- Education
- Engineering
- Exploratory Studies
- Health and Human Sciences
- Liberal Arts
- Krannert School of Management
- Pharmacy
- Science
- Polytechnic Institute
- Nontraditional Students
List of Purdue Freshman Scholarships
The university provides special scholarships for freshmen to apply. Just like departmental scholarships, they are awarded based on students’ merit and need. Note that you will have to work hard to win these scholarships as they are highly competitive.
In fact, only 15% of students who apply are eligible for financial aid every year. Also, only those who are citizens and nationals of the United States are eligible to apply for the scholarships listed below. That means that international students are ineligible to apply.
Check the following list to see which one you might qualify for.
1. Need-Based University-Wide Scholarships
As the name implies, these scholarships will look to the financial needs of the applicants as a benchmark for selection. They are administered by the Purdue Division of Financial Aid.
How to Apply: Submit your FAFSA before April 15.
2. University-Wide Merit Scholarships
Unlike the previous type, this financial aid package takes into account all the information regarding the student’s academic performance. The following factors affect the final result:
- Grades in core academic coursework and those relevant to the chosen major
- Essays and answers to provided questions
- SAT or ACT scores
- Demonstration of commitment to the chosen major
- Activities and awards earned throughout high school
- Demonstration of leadership and public service
- Personal background
- Experiences
- Additional information submitted by teacher or counselor
Below are Purdue university-wide merit scholarships and the value of each:
- Trustees Scholarship ($16,000 per year for nonresidents; $10,000 per year for Indiana residents)
- Presidential Scholarship ($10,000 per year for nonresidents; $4,000 per year for Indiana residents)
- Purdue Promise (full financial aid, gift aid, and work-study)
- National Merit Scholarship ($500 per year)
- National Recognition Programs Scholarship ($1,000 per year)
How to Apply: Submit your admission before the deadline.
3. College-Based Scholarships
Basically, these refer to Purdue departmental scholarships. Go back to the previous section to learn more about these schemes.
How to Use the Scholarship Universe Purdue
Once you have found a financial aid package that fits your condition, it is time to access Scholarship Universe. Basically, Scholarship Universe is Purdue’s innovation in facilitating students to apply for available scholarship opportunities.
Upon completing your profile, the system will match it to the right scholarship. Best of all, it also allows you to search for scholarships to study in Purdue University from third parties.
Follow these steps to navigate through the Purdue Scholarship Universe:
- New students can log in to Scholarship Universe by accessing the application portal. Meanwhile, the current students can use their account careers for the same purpose.
- Sort through the existing scholarships you may qualify for.
- To apply for a scholarship, click the “Apply” button and fill out the form. Be sure to complete all sections of the application.
- Click “Submit” to submit your application.
You can check the status of all your applications through the platform, whether you were accepted or not.