Tuition and affordability FAQ

The Indiana Choice Scholarship is a state-funded tuition scholarship (sometimes called a “voucher”) that helps families pay for private school. Beginning in the 2026-27 school year, every University student with Indiana residency qualifies for an Indiana Choice Scholarship, regardless of income.

University High School has been part of the Choice Scholarship Program since 2023.

Award amounts vary by district, but for the 2026-27 school year, 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 Department of Education website.

For families receiving need-based financial aid, the Indiana Choice Scholarship counts toward—not in addition to—the aid package the school has awarded. In practice, this means Choice funds are used first to support the financial aid already awarded by the school.

Example:

• A student is awarded $7,500 in need-based aid from University.

• The student qualifies for a $6,500 Indiana Choice Scholarship.

In this case, the $6,500 Indiana Choice Scholarship fulfills $6,500 of the student’s $7,500 aid package, with University contributing the remaining $1,000. The student’s total aid remains $7,500. No additional funds are generated, and no refund is issued.

Beginning in the 2026-27 school year, every University student with Indiana residency qualifies for the Indiana Choice Scholarship Program.

Families must complete the Indiana Choice Scholarship application each year in order for funds to be awarded.

To receive Indiana Choice Scholarship Program funding for the 2026-27 school year, families must provide proof of Indiana residency and complete the required state documentation. Please upload proof of Indiana residency here by Friday, May 15, 2026. An Indiana driver’s license will be sufficient to satisfy this requirement.

Note: For students with multiple residences, please submit documentation matching where your student resides for at least half the year. If a student resides exactly 50/50 in two places, you can pick which residence represents the student for Choice scholarship purposes.

Once accepted into the program (after May 1, 2026), families must sign the Parent Agreement and Endorsement Form from the Indiana Department of Education. University will provide this to families by August.

The State of Indiana distributes funds to schools in installments during the school year. Funds will be credited to student accounts in two installments. The first installment of approximately 50% of each student’s award will be credited to family billing accounts at the beginning of September 2026, with the remainder credited at the beginning of March 2027.

Depending on your payment plan, this activity will appear as either a reduced balance or a credit to your account.

Yes! While the majority of our budget is allocated to need-based financial aid, we do reserve a small portion for merit scholarship awards awarded at the time of admission. There is no additional application for merit scholarships; we award them upon review of a student’s application for admission. Students who apply by the Early Admission deadline of October 15 get priority consideration for merit scholarships.

Students who receive a merit scholarship are notified of their award in the acceptance letter.

Prospective families should contact Taylor Newell. Returning families may contact Associate Head of School Dave Vesper with any questions.