Purdue awards most of its merit scholarships to qualified students through an automatic process based on academic information provided with admission applications that are complete by November 15. These are called the Trustees and Presidential scholarships.

http://www.admissions.purdue.edu/costs/merit_scholarships.html

The Trustees and Presidential Scholarships are made possible through the generosity of our donors. To enable Purdue University to award such competitive scholarships, all or part of the scholarships may be awarded from a specific named account later. If a student receives a Trustee or Presidential scholarship, he/she is not eligible to receive other university merit scholarships unless these are awarded to support the Trustees/Presidential commitment.

There are also a limited number of smaller merit scholarships, as well as need-based scholarships, that are awarded through a scholarship application process. The deadline for admitted students to submit the Purdue Scholarship Application for these awards is Feb 15th. In order to access the Purdue Scholarship Application you must be an admitted student. Since the admissions process can take 8-10 weeks we recommend your admissions application be complete by the Nov 15th deadline outlined above. This will help to ensure you will be able to access the Purdue Scholarship Application prior to the Feb 15th deadline. Additionally, we encourage all students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1 in order to maximize consideration for all federal, state, and institutional funds they may be eligible to receive.

However, students may be eligible to receive merit scholarships with a financial need component or need-based scholarships in addition to the Trustees or Presidential scholarship.

Incoming freshmen who wish to be considered for scholarships with a financial need component must answer specific questions by going to this link: https://www2.itap.purdue.edu/DFA/ScholarShipApp/ScholarshipApp_start.cfm This link will not be available until the end of December 2009 end deadline to submit is February 10, 2010.

Upon admittance, all students will receive a packet from the Office of Admissions. In the packet is a brochure that will provide students instruction on how to apply for these need-based scholarships.

Private Scholarships:

Many private scholarships are offered each year to college students by corporate, professional, trade, government, civic, religious, social, and fraternal organizations. The Division of Financial Aid recommends the use of free scholarship search services available at your local library and on the internet at www.fastweb.com.

In accordance with Purdue policies, all persons have equal access to Purdue University's educational programs, services and activities without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, disability or status as a disabled or Vietnam-era veteran. For a more complete statement of Purdue's policies of equal access and equal opportunity, visit www.purdue.edu/Purdue/nondiscrimination/. If you have any questions or concerns regarding these policies, please contact the Office of the Vice President for Human Relations at vphr@purdue.edu or (765) 494-5830.