How to apply for scholarships and grants at Franklin College

A student’s college education is an investment. Franklin College connects students to meaningful experiences that prepare students for a career and graduate school. We believe that covering the cost of tuition is a partnership. We will provide aid to cover some of the cost while students and their families are expected to contribute to the cost as well.

Franklin College offers a variety of scholarships and grants that are awarded based on academics, talents, and need-based. Scholarships and grants are types of financial aid that students do not have to pay back. Our scholarships and grants are renewable for a maximum of eight semesters (fall/spring) of full-time undergraduate enrollment. If you qualify for multiple awards, some of these awards may not be stackable. Award amounts may be adjusted to allow Franklin to support as many students as possible.

Applying for Franklin College scholarships and grants

1. 1. Submit a completed Franklin College Application for Admission and provide all requested materials.
   2. Our Office of Financial Aid will use your official transcript to assess your merit-based scholarship eligibility.

PLEASE NOTE:  A completed application file includes the following:

1. 1. 1. A submitted Franklin College application (online or paper) or Common Application
      2. Official transcript submitted by the guidance office or via Parchment.
      3. (Optional) SAT or ACT scores
         SAT Code: 1228
         ACT Code: 1194

It is your responsibility to provide the office of admissions with these supporting documents. If you need help with anything, contact us

Scholarships and Grants

• Academic Scholarships: Academic scholarships are awarded to admitted students based on the student’s GPA. Awards range up to $23,000 per year and are renewable for all four years.
• Ben Franklin Scholars: Ben Franklin Scholars Day is an invitation-only program that allows admitted students to compete for our most prestigious academic scholarships. To qualify, students must possess a 3.9 GPA or higher (on a 4.0 scale) at the time of admission. A complete application for admission (including all required documents) must be received by November 1^st. Scholarships awarded as part of this program have various tiers and range up to full-tuition.
• Alumni Grant: The Franklin College Alumni Grant will be awarded to admitted students who have a parent, grandparent or sibling who graduated from Franklin College. The Alumni Grant is for up to $2,000 per year and is renewable for all four years.
• Family Grant: Families who have multiple students attending Franklin College simultaneously will receive a $500 Family Grant for each student. The grant is renewable for each year the students are concurrently enrolled.
• Departmental Scholarships: Departmental Scholarships are available to students who are majoring in art, computing, data science, music, and theatre. Scholarships range from $500 – $1,000 per year and are renewable as long as students remain in good academic standing. The application for admission serves as the application for these scholarships, however, some departments may require additional information. Please contact admissions for more detailed information.
• The National Pulliam Journalism Scholarship: Each year, Franklin College awards one full-tuition scholarship to a student majoring in one of our multimedia journalism programs. This scholarship is made possible by an endowment provided by the late Eugene C. Pulliam, former publisher of newspapers in Indianapolis, Phoenix, and other cities. To qualify, students must apply to one of the multimedia journalism majors, have a minimum GPA of 3.0 (on 4.0 scale), and submit the required essay and application by Nov. 15.
• Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship: The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program covers tuition and fees at Franklin College, along with a stipend for books. Since this scholarship covers tuition, Franklin College will apply any other financial aid the student may receive from other sources (e.g., Federal, State, or Franklin College) to cover the cost of housing and food. All of which is renewable for all four years.

Closing the Gap in Educational Achievement

Nationally recognized, Indiana’s 21^st Century Scholars program is an early college promise program. Started in 1990, the 21^st Century Scholars Program offers eligible Indiana residents up to four years of paid tuition at participating Indiana colleges or universities upon high school graduation. At Franklin College, you will be able to use your 21^st Century award, join a community of other Scholars, and utilize all of the resources available for Scholars and their success.

Download the 21st Century Scholar Handout (PDF)

The program focuses on four areas:

• Academic performance and persistence
• Student engagement and enrichment
• Financial literacy and debt management
• Career exploration and preparation

Program Requirements

To maintain your status as a 21^st Century Scholar, you must:

• File and complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by April 15 each year.
• Complete 30 credits per academic year.
• Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress standards at Franklin College.
• Be on a full-time status (at least 12 credits per semester).

Academic Assistance

The Office of Student Success offers assistance specifically for 21^st Century Scholars who are experiencing academic difficulty. We will reach out to meet with us and discuss related issues and resources if you:

• Have midterm deficiency grades
• Are on academic probation
• Have questions regarding credit completion

Contact Us

Available Financial Aid Programs

The U.S. government offers various need-based aid awards – Franklin College participates in the majority of them. Our office of financial aid administers approximately $26 million in aid from federal, state, institutional, and outside sources to approximately 1,000 students annually. Our staff is available to answer your questions regarding financial aid programs, and assist you in completing financial aid forms.

Students interested in applying for financial aid at Franklin College should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Franklin College priority deadline for filing the FAFSA is April 15. (Franklin’s Title IV code is 001798.)

Here is a list of options:

Federal Pell Grant

To be considered for a Federal Pell Grant, the student must complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  The amount of this award is dependent upon the student’s enrollment level (full-time versus part-time) and financial need as determined by the federal government.  Continued eligibility is assessed annually upon the student’s yearly submission of the FAFSA.

Federal Supplemental Educational Grant (SEOG)

Students with great financial need and who have filed their FAFSA may be awarded an SEOG in addition to their Pell Grant. The actual award amount depends on need and the availability of federal funds.  This grant may be renewable each year based upon the student’s FAFSA results and the availability of federal funds.

Twenty-First Century Scholars

Eligible 21^st Century Scholars who have met the financial means test and have completed the Scholar Success Program may be eligible for this award.  Please see www.learnmoreindiana.org for Indiana’s enrollment requirements.  Scholars must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) no later than April 15 each year. 21^st Century Scholars can also access academic support services through the Center for Student Success.

Franklin College offers a limited number of Pell Grant eligible 21^st Century Scholars with a 3.0 cumulative GPA to receive up to full tuition and room and board through a combination of all state, federal, and college aid sources (this may include federal student loans and work-study awards).

Frank O’Bannon Grant

Eligible Indiana residents who have demonstrated financial need as determined by the FAFSA may qualify for this Grant.  The range of this award varies and may be renewable based on students’ annual submissions of the FAFSA.  The Indiana Commission for Higher Education FAFSA submission deadline is April 15.  This award is restricted to be used toward the cost of tuition only.

Work-Study at Franklin College

The Federal Work-Study Program provides financial assistance to students through part-time campus employment. There are a variety of positions on campus and students gain valuable experience in the areas of career development, knowledge of the service environment, and opportunities for personal growth.

1. Who is eligible for the Federal Work-Study Program? Eligibility is determined through the completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Upon receiving their financial aid package, students will know whether or not they received a work-study award. The amount awarded is the maximum that can be earned through employment during the school year.
2. What are federal and institutional requirements for the program? Supervisors for work-study positions are required to comply with federal laws in regards to equal-opportunity employment. Additional information on such procedures may be obtained from Franklin College Human Resources. Before a student can be employed in a campus position, the job vacancy must be posted online utilizing the “Work-study and On-Campus Employment” link available under the Student Financial Services section of MyFC. A job description with specified duties of the position must be included in the posting. Students interested in seeking campus employment may browse jobs available and complete applications online utilizing the “Work-study and On-Campus Employment” link available under the Student Financial Services section of MyFC. Students are then responsible for filling out the appropriate tax papers and work-study agreements with Student Financial Services.
3. What are the conditions of employment? Starting pay for work-study positions is $7.25 per hour. Careful consideration should be given in terms of the number of hours a student works per week and how much they are earning monthly in comparison with their total award amount. Earnings beyond their work-study awarded amount will be deducted from departmental accounts. Payment is directly deposited into students’ checking or savings accounts.
4. What are the responsibilities of the supervisor? Supervisors are responsible for establishing a work schedule with the student for the semester. Upon starting, supervisors should orient new student employees to the department and office structure as well as the specific job responsibilities expected of them. Supervisors are responsible for keeping track of the hours worked by students and turning in their timesheets at the end of the month.

The work-study employment website is https://franklincollege.joinhandshake.com/login.

Contact Us

If you have any questions concerning our work-study program, please contact Kirk Bixler at 317.738.8803 or email him.

How to apply for loans

Many kinds of loans are available to students and their families. Though requiring repayment, improved terms and interest levels can make a bachelor’s degree possible.

Federal Direct Loans

A loan is a form of “self-help” financial assistance that you repay, even if you don’t complete your education.  The Direct Loan Program, offered by the U.S. Department of Education, is one of many avenues families use to fund their student’s education.  This may include the use of subsidized and unsubsidized student loans (borrowed in the student’s name) or parent loans (borrowed in the parent’s name).  The first step to accessing a student or parent loan is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

General eligibility criteria for Direct Loans:

• Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or permanent resident of the United States
• Be admitted to a degree-seeking program
• Meet satisfactory academic progress requirements
• Not be in default on prior educational loans

Entrance Counseling and the Master Promissory Note (MPN)

First-time borrowers of a Federal Direct Loan must complete Entrance Counseling. This will assist you with understanding the types of loans available as well as the options you may have when you enter repayment.

Upon completion of Entrance Counseling, the borrower must also complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN).  The MPN is a legally-binding document that explains the terms and conditions of your Federal Direct Loan.  The MPN also serves as your agreement to repay your loans, including any interest and fees.

Click here to complete Entrance Counseling and your MPN.

Exit counseling

Borrowers will be asked to complete Exit Counseling when the student is about to graduate, of if the student’s enrollment drops below half-time.  Exit counseling provides the borrower with much-needed information regarding the repayment process.

Click here to complete Exit Counseling.

Loan Repayment

The time to begin repaying loans depends on the type of loan you choose.  Parent loans may begin repayment while the student is still in school.  Subsidized and unsubsidized student loans begin repayment six months after the student either graduates or stops attending at least half-time.  Regardless of the type of loan, all loans must be repaid. If you aren’t able to repay your education loans, you could seriously damage your credit.

The federal government provides a Repayment Estimator tool to assist new, current and previous borrowers with estimating what their repayment schedule could be once they enter repayment.  Click here to log into your Federal Student Aid portal and access the Repayment Estimator.

Federal PLUS Loans

To apply for a Federal Parent PLUS loan, click the link above, sign in and complete the “Request a PLUS Loan” section and complete the Parent PLUS Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN).

Private/Alternative Loans

Listed below are two tools that will provide access to multiple lenders.

The INvestED Student Loan Marketplace will allow you to compare actual rates from multiple private student loan lenders. This tool allows you to compare rates and terms to help you find the best option. The INvestED Student Loan Marketplace displays interest rates and repayment terms from multiple lenders based on a soft credit check.

Additionally, FastChoice Private Alternative Loans provides a range of rates from a list of lenders.

As a borrower, you have the option to select any lender you choose. Franklin College does not recommend or endorse any private student loan programs. Students can apply with any lender they choose, even if not listed in either tool.

These loans are available to students from private lenders for additional funding assistance if you have exhausted all other sources of educational funding. Franklin College strongly urges students to utilize all of your eligibility for scholarships, grants, and federal loans before applying for a private loan. These loans typically have variable and higher interest rates and fees depending on the creditworthiness of the borrower and cosigner. Private loan lenders have different eligibility requirements, loan rates, repayments terms, and conditions.

Self-Certification Form

2025-2026 Cost of Attendance

The Cost of Attendance (COA) for the academic year (fall and spring semesters) includes tuition, room, board, books, transportation, fees, and other miscellaneous personal expenses that Franklin College has included in your overall financial aid budget. The COA is the maximum amount of financial aid a student can receive during that academic year.

All students applying for a private education loan are required to complete a Self-Certification Form indicating the COA amount for Franklin College and the student’s total financial aid. Listed are the COA figures to be used when completing the Self Certification Form.

Please note that if you are studying abroad or taking an Immersive Term trip you will need to contact the Office of Financial Aid to get your COA.