EmpowerED Scholarship

Have you ever registered for a class, only to discover that a $300 textbook was required? Or perhaps you’ve skipped purchasing essential course materials because the costs were just too high—and it negatively impacted your success.

At IU Student Government, we believe that financial barriers should never stand between you and your academic success. The EmpowerED Scholarship is designed to provide financial assistance to students who face out-of-pocket costs for required course materials.

What Does the Scholarship Cover?

The EmpowerED Scholarship covers out-of-pocket expenses for materials that are essential for your course participation and academic success. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Lab Equipment
• Textbooks
• Office Supplies
• Online Learning Materials/Software
• Technology/Hardware

Please note that the EmpowerED Scholarship is not a reimbursement program. Instead, the award is disbursed directly to your Bursar account in the form of a scholarship. This means that the amount will be applied to your Bursar bill, reducing your outstanding balance for the semester. Additionally, IUSG is not ordering the items for you—the scholarship simply provides the funds for you to purchase the required materials. You are responsible for buying the items directly from the vendor or retailer of your choice.

Who Can Apply?

To qualify for the EmpowerED Scholarship, you must:

• Be an enrolled undergraduate or graduate student at IU Bloomington
• Have room in your Cost of Attendance to receive a scholarship
• Be enrolled in a course that requires essential out-of-pocket materials
• Apply within the same semester in which the course is taken

How Many Items/Courses Can You Apply For?

You can apply for financial assistance for one or more required course materials within a single application. You may also submit applications for one or more courses within the same application.

Important: You should only submit one application per funding cycle (each 8-week period). The application period will remain open for three (3) weeks at the beginning of each 8-week course period (weeks 1-3 and weeks 8-10 of each semester).

How to Apply

Applying for the EmpowerED Scholarship is simple and straightforward. Follow the steps below to complete your application:

1. Complete the Application Form: Fill out the online application form below, providing your personal and course details. You will need to include the following:
   • Your University ID
   • Course name, course code, and class number
   • Instructor's name and contact information
   • A copy of the course syllabus
2. Provide a Detailed Description of the Required Materials: In this section, please provide a detailed description of the item(s) you wish to have covered by this scholarship. If you are requesting funding for multiple items, please ensure each item is listed on a separate line. The more detailed your description, the better the scholarship committee will be able to allocate funds to maximize the support awarded to you. Include the following relevant information for each item:
   • Item name
   • Size, quantity, and price
   • Any applicable links to where the item is available for purchase
3. Submit Your Application: Once you've filled out the form and attached the required documents, submit your application. Remember, you can apply for one or more required materials and courses within the same application.
4. Wait for Notification: After submission, your application will be reviewed. You will receive an email notification confirming the status of your scholarship award.
5. Submit a Receipt Upon Request: Shortly after being notified of your award, you will be asked to submit a receipt detailing your purchase of the course material(s) covered by the scholarship. The receipt should include an itemized list of items purchased, proof of payment, and the vendor's name.

When is the Deadline?

The application periods for the EmpowerED Scholarship are as follows:

• First Round: January 13 through January 31
• Second Round: March 10 through March 28

These two application rounds are designed to support both 8-week courses and traditional 16-week courses. Applications must be submitted within these timeframes. A few weeks after the conclusion of each application period, you will be notified of your scholarship award, and you will need to submit a receipt for the materials purchased at the end of the period.