Posted: Tuesday, September 22, 2026
By: University Communications

For many Indiana families, the cost of college can make an exciting decision feel daunting. The University of Evansville (UE) is taking a significant step to change that, expanding financial aid to put a UE education within reach for more students.

Beginning with incoming freshmen in Fall 2027, all 21st Century Scholars and eligible Indiana residents from families earning $60,000 or less will have their undergraduate tuition and fees fully covered at UE and will also receive an additional $2,500 each year for other educational expenses. Students with the greatest financial need and strongest academic backgrounds may instead qualify for an enhanced award of up to $15,000 annually toward on-campus housing and meals in addition to having their tuition and fees covered.

The initiative builds on UE's longstanding commitment to making a private university education accessible to students from a wide range of financial backgrounds. This year alone, the University is providing more than $27 million in scholarships and grants, with nearly every UE undergraduate student receiving some form of financial assistance.

Through this expanded financial support, more students will have access to UE's distinctive educational experience, including personalized attention from faculty, hands-on learning, opportunities to study abroad, and a caring campus community where students are known, supported, and empowered to pursue their full potential.

This initiative comes at a critical time for college access in Indiana. According to the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, the college-going rate in Vanderburgh County fell from 72% in 2014 to 59% in 2024. Statewide, the rate declined from 65% to 52% over the same period. While students choose not to pursue college for many reasons, UE is working to ensure that financial barriers do not prevent students from pursuing their educational goals.

Philanthropic support plays a vital role in making these opportunities possible. More than $15 million was raised for scholarships through UE's recent FORWARD campaign. Many alumni give because they know firsthand how a UE education changed their own lives and want to make those same opportunities possible for the next generation.

"Students from all walks of life attend UE," said Dr. Jill Griffin, UE Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing. "With our generous scholarships and financial aid, some students actually pay less to attend UE than they would at a public university. We believe financial circumstances should never limit the size of a student's dreams or the opportunity to pursue them."

Indiana students and families can learn more about financial aid and affordability at www.evansville.edu/value or by contacting the Office of Admission at 812-488-2468 or admission@evansville.edu.