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Indiana college aid: Frank O’Bannon Grant or 21st Century Scholars

Compare Frank O’Bannon with 21st Century Scholars: FAFSA, eligibility, middle-school enrollment commitments and 2026–27 renewal.

Maskay editorial team Updated

Indiana has two forms of aid that may appear in one package, but they follow different rules and timelines. The Frank O’Bannon Grant is an annual need-based grant applied for through FAFSA and may serve eligible residents at several types of in-state institutions. 21st Century Scholars is an early promise that starts in seventh or eighth grade; students maintain commitments through high school and college. If you are a senior and have never appeared in ScholarTrack, check your status first: 21st Century is not an open scholarship for every graduate.

For Frank O’Bannon, CHE requires Indiana residency by December 31 before the aid year, continued state residency, citizenship or eligible status, a diploma or GED and enrollment at a participating Indiana school. The program leads to an associate or first bachelor’s degree, with limited certificate paths at Ivy Tech or Vincennes. Apply through the FAFSA for each cycle; the state page lists April 15 as the annual date. As of October 12, 2026, the 2026–27 date has passed. For 2027–28, submit the correct FAFSA and check whether your college sets an earlier priority date. The 2026–27 award is in an approved table by SAI and school type, not a single universal amount.

21st Century Scholars begins much earlier. Eligible students may be automatically enrolled from state data in seventh/eighth grade, or families may use the available enrollment window through June 30 of eighth grade. The pledge includes graduating with a Core 40 diploma from an accredited Indiana school, a minimum 2.5 GPA, annual Scholar Success activities logged in ScholarTrack, admission to an eligible institution, FAFSA by April 15 and full-time enrollment within the required period. It may cover up to four years of tuition and regularly assessed fees, but do not assume it covers housing, meals or special charges. College renewal generally requires 30 credits a year.

Student comments show why state aid must be separated from campus funds. In August 2026, Indiana students described combining 21st Century with additional Purdue or IU support; the type of coverage varied by university, and the discussion did not document every file. Do not use those accounts to calculate your package. Ask the aid office for a breakdown of Frank O’Bannon, 21st Century, Pell, institutional scholarships, loans and living-cost balance, and verify whether each amount pays tuition and fees only or other expenses.

If an award is missing, check ScholarTrack, the FAFSA Submission Summary and the college portal for residency, SAI, progress, course load, accepted credits, pending verification and award status. Frank O’Bannon requires 24–29 earned credits to retain a full-time amount and 30 credits for the maximum “on-time” tier, subject to satisfactory progress. A student who loses 21st Century because of credits may have a route to regain eligibility by earning 30 credits within a 12-month period, but confirm before counting on it. CHE lists (888) 528-4719 and awards@che.in.gov; the college applies the individual award.

Bottom line

Compare the options and confirm eligibility and deadlines directly with the program before applying.

Editorial selection

Options to compare

These options relate to the question. Read each profile and check current details before deciding.

01
Indiana need-based state grant program

Frank O’Bannon Grant — Indiana Commission for Higher Education

101 W. Ohio Street, Suite 300, Indianapolis, IN 46204-4206

The Frank O’Bannon Grant is Indiana’s primary need-based state grant for residents pursuing an eligible program at an Indiana postsecondary institution. It includes the Higher Education Award and Freedom of Choice Grant, depending on institution type. Aid is intended for tuition and regularly assess

Why it made the selection

Need-based state grant for Indiana residents at eligible Indiana institutions; annual FAFSA, April 15 state date and renewal tied to progress and earned credits

Hours: Apply each year through FAFSA; the eligible institution determines the award. Indiana CHE Financial Aid Support Center: (888) 528-4719, awards@che.in.gov. Verified: October 12, 2026
View Maskay profile → Official website ↗
02
Indiana early-college access and scholarship program

21st Century Scholars — Indiana Commission for Higher Education

101 W. Ohio Street, Suite 300, Indianapolis, IN 46204-4206

21st Century Scholars is an Indiana college-aid promise that begins before high school. The state program is primarily for students who meet income eligibility and can cover up to four years of tuition and regularly assessed fees at a participating institution if the student completes the required c

Why it made the selection

Early college promise program beginning in seventh or eighth grade; offers up to four years of tuition and regularly assessed fees at eligible schools when the pledge is completed

Hours: Check enrollment and activities in ScholarTrack. For state-aid questions, Indiana CHE Financial Aid Support Center: (888) 528-4719 or awards@che.in.gov. Verified: October 12, 2026
View Maskay profile → Official website ↗
Verification

Sources & references

Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.

  1. Official website of Frank O’Bannon Grant — Indiana Commission for Higher Education ↗ Primary source Indiana Commission for Higher Education · Accessed October 12, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  2. Official website of Frank O’Bannon Grant — Indiana Commission for Higher Education ↗ Primary source Indiana Commission for Higher Education · Accessed October 12, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  3. Official website of Frank O’Bannon Grant — Indiana Commission for Higher Education ↗ Primary source Indiana Commission for Higher Education · Accessed October 12, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  4. Official website of 21st Century Scholars — Indiana Commission for Higher Education ↗ Primary source Indiana Commission for Higher Education · Accessed October 12, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  5. Official website of 21st Century Scholars — Indiana Commission for Higher Education ↗ Primary source Indiana Commission for Higher Education · Accessed October 12, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  6. Official website of 21st Century Scholars — Indiana Commission for Higher Education ↗ Primary source Indiana Commission for Higher Education · Accessed October 12, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  7. Official website ↗ Primary source Indiana Commission for Higher Education · Accessed October 12, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  8. Official website ↗ Primary source Indiana Commission for Higher Education · Accessed October 12, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  9. Estudiante explica cómo combinó 21st Century con becas de campus ↗ Secondary source Reddit, r/Indiana · Accessed October 12, 2026

    Conversación de agosto de 2026 sobre experiencias personales con la 21st Century Scholarship y ayudas adicionales en distintas universidades; no representa un paquete garantizado.

  10. Estudiante cuenta cómo le ayudó la 21st Century Scholarship ↗ Secondary source Reddit, r/Indiana · Accessed October 12, 2026

    Relato publicado en 2024 por una persona que dice haber usado la beca; anécdota útil para describir su potencial, no prueba que los gastos de vida o todas las universidades queden cubiertos.

  11. Estudiantes comparan ayuda 21st Century y becas universitarias ↗ Secondary source Reddit, r/Indiana · Accessed October 12, 2026

    Debate de agosto de 2026 sobre ayudas institucionales adicionales; experiencias por universidad, no importe estatal garantizado.

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