Choice Scholarships at University High School

At University High School, our mission comes before everything else. Whether setting tuition, considering state programs, or navigating policy changes, we will never compromise our commitment to expanding the hearts and minds of students while remaining true to our core values.

What is the Indiana Choice Scholarship?

• Beginning in the 2026-27 school year, every University High School student with Indiana residency qualifies for the Indiana Choice Scholarship Program, regardless of income. This state-funded program provides financial support for K–12 students to attend private schools.
• Award amounts vary by the student’s school district of residence, but most families can expect a scholarship in the range of approximately $6,300–$7,400 per student. Estimated values for 2026-27 can be found on the Indiana State Department of Education’s website.
• University applies Choice Scholarship funds toward tuition, reducing the portion of the cost each family is responsible for.

How Choice Works at UHS

• Required Application: Families must complete the Indiana Choice Scholarship application each year in order for funds to be awarded and applied toward tuition.
  • To receive Indiana Choice Scholarship Program funding, families must provide proof of Indiana residency and complete the required state documentation. If you have not already done so, please upload proof of Indiana residency here by Friday, July 31, 2026. An Indiana driver’s license will be sufficient to satisfy this requirement.
  • Once accepted into the program (after May 1, 2026), families must sign the Parent Agreement and Endorsement Form from the Indiana Department of Education forms. University will provide this to families by August 2026.
• Integration with Aid: For families receiving need-based financial aid, the Indiana Choice Scholarship counts toward—not in addition to—the aid package the school has awarded.
• Billing: Tuition and payment plans are established at the beginning of the year as usual.
  • Choice Scholarship funds are not applied upfront. Instead, the State of Indiana distributes funds to schools in two installments during the school year.
  • Fifty percent of each student’s award will be credited to billing accounts in September; the remaining 50% in March.
  • Depending on your payment plan, this will appear as either a reduced balance or a credit to your account.
• Balance & Stewardship: University bridges the gap between tuition and the real cost of education through philanthropy and responsible financial management.

Need-based financial Aid

University High School offers need-based financial aid as well as merit scholarships for students. Approximately 35% of our students receive need-based financial aid, and families may qualify for up to 90% of tuition. Families must apply to be considered for need-based financial aid, and need-based financial aid is awarded based, in part, on the family’s income.

2027-28 Financial Aid Application Now Open

University High School awards need-based financial aid to families of many different income levels, and there are many considerations that go into determining a family’s need. To aid in this work, University High School uses the application, Clarity, to process need-based financial aid applications for our families. The Clarity financial aid application for the 2027-28 school year is open.

Families applying for the Class of 2031 must submit this application by December 1, 2026 in order to be considered for need-based aid. Click here to apply.

The deadline for returning Trailblazer families to apply for 2027-28 financial aid is Thursday, December 31, 2026. 

Note: for families receiving need-based financial aid, the Indiana Choice Scholarship counts as part of—not in addition to—the total aid package the school has awarded.

If you have questions about Clarity or are interested in discussing the need-based financial aid application process, please contact Taylor Newell, Director of Admission, at 317-733-4475, ext. 121 or tnewell@universityhighschool.org.

Merit Scholarships

University High School’s merit scholarships are awarded based on a student’s academic history and extracurricular involvement (in and/or out of school). A student’s application for admission to University High School contains all the information needed to determine merit scholarship eligibility, so there is no separate application families must complete to apply for merit awards.

There are four primary merit scholarships available at University High School:

Leadership Scholarship
The Leadership Scholarship is a merit award given to applicants who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, often through a program such as the Center for Leadership Development.

Founders Scholarship
The Founders Scholarship is a merit award given to applicants who are high-achieving students in the classroom. Recipients also demonstrate involvement in their school community. 

Core Values Scholarship
The Core Values Scholarship is a merit award given to applicants who are high-achieving students in the classroom and who demonstrate in their daily lives the core values of University High School: diversity, commitment to excellence, personal responsibility, stewardship, creativity, and mutual respect, support, and trust.

Freshman Recognition Award
The Freshman Recognition Award is a one-time merit award given to incoming freshmen who have exhibited exemplary academic success in their middle school program and who have demonstrated a passion for the arts, athletics, or community service.

Payment Options

In addition to cash or check payments made directly to University High School, parents may also pay tuition through Blackbaud Tuition Management. Blackbaud offers a user-friendly interface, easier access to account information, and more consistent communication about account status. Blackbaud accepts ACH payments as well as MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover, and Diners Club credit cards.

Payment Schedule

Tuition may be paid in a single installment (due in July), in two installments (due in July and December), or in ten installments (due monthly beginning in July and ending in April). Routine fees will be assessed on a regular schedule. Activity-based fees, such as those assessed for participation in performing arts productions, will be billed at the time of participation.

*The State of Indiana distributes Indiana Choice Scholarship funds to school in installments during the school year. The fund will be credited to family billing accounts in two installments — 50% in September and the remainder in March.