IU Groups Scholars Program

IU Groups Scholars Program

The Groups Scholars Program puts first-generation students and/or students with socioeconomic barriers on the path to college success by providing academic, financial, and social support to help them attain a bachelor's degree at Indiana University.  In addition, students are offered an extensive student support system including academic advising, tutoring, enrollment in specialized courses, and activities designed to foster academic success and degree completion.

Students who are admitted as Groups Scholars spend a little over six weeks during the summer before their freshman year living on campus and taking courses in Business, Informatics, Public Health, Sociology and many more while being introduced to the campus and establishing a network of social and academic support.

Students interested in STEM-related majors (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) can also apply to the Groups Scholars STEM Initiative to gain hands-on experience with scientific research.

Eligibility Criteria

(2025-26 School Year)

Income Guidelines

Size of Family Unit Annual Gross  (Taxable) Income Below

1 $35,000

2 $45,000

3 $55,000

4 $65,000

5 $75,000

6 $85,000

7 $95,000

8 $105,000

Greater than 8 Add $10,000 for each additional member

Academic Guidelines

• Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5

• Core 40 Curriculum

  • Additionally:

    • 7th semester of math (including 1 semester of Pre-Calculus, Trigonometry, Statistics, Finite, or Calculus)

    •  4 semesters of world languages

    • §  3 or more semesters of additional college prep courses

    • §  3 academic courses (minimum) during 2nd semester of senior year

    • §  Mid-year graduation is not recommended

  • SAT or ACT scores are optional

Resident and Citizenship Guidelines

• Students (and at least one parent or legal guardian) must be a resident of the state of Indiana.

• Students must be a US Citizen or eligible non-citizen (have a Green Card).

Application Procedures

Step 1:         Students must first submit an IU Bloomington application via admissions.indiana.edu or Common App by November 1st .  Students who do not use Common App must have their official EHS transcript sent to IU Bloomington (via Parchment (www.parchment.com).  Students should contact Mrs. Winkler to see if they are eligible for an application fee waiver. 

Step 2:         Students must be recommended by an IU Groups Scholars Recommender (Amy Winkler at EHS) to apply to the IU Groups Scholars Program.  Students who want to apply to the Groups Scholars program must submit this IU Groups Scholars Interest Form to express interest in applying to the Groups Scholars program.  If the student meets the academic eligibility criteria, Mrs. Winkler will submit the student’s name to IU.  Families are responsible for ensuring that the student meets the financial criteria.

Step 3:         After the student’s name is submitted to IU, the student will be invited to complete the Groups Scholars Application by December 15th; applications submitted by November 1st will be given priority consideration.

Step 4:         Submit the 2025-26 AND the 2026-27 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) by December 1st.

Mustang Time Presentation

To learn more about the Groups Scholars Program, students are encouraged to sign up for the IU Groups Scholars Information Session during Mustang Time on Friday, September 19th, 2025.  You will learn more about the program and hear directly from and 2025 EHS alum who is a current member of the Groups Scholars Program.

For additional information, about the IU Groups Scholars Program, please visit the Groups Scholars website.