INspire Earlham Program

Eligible Indiana students must be a member of a family with a household income of $100,000 or less; be accepted to and enroll full time at Earlham as part of the fall 2027 or later entering class; file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1; and must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

No. This program eliminates the need for income-eligible students to pay tuition to attend Earlham. Eligible students must still pay fees, as well as housing and meal plans if they live on campus.

We take the cost of Earlham’s tuition, subtract your merit scholarship from Earlham as well as any state and federal scholarships and grants, and cover the remaining balance with our INspire Earlham grant. You must be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident.

We look at 2025 income for both the student and the parents. If parents are divorced, the parent that provides the most financial support should be reported. If that parent is remarried, then the stepparent’s income also needs to be added.

Yes, income-eligible Indiana students transferring from a two- or four-year college can qualify for the INspire Earlham program as long as they are admitted to and enroll in the fall 2027 or later entering class. Earlham also has a transfer agreement with Ivy Tech Community College that allows certain graduates to transfer to Earlham knowing every credit they earned will count toward a four-year degree.

Yes, as long as a student remains in good academic standing, is enrolled full time, files the FAFSA annually, and maintains income eligibility.

No. Earlham is offering this scholarship to domestic Indiana residents.

Current students are not eligible for INspire Earlham under the expanded income threshold. The expanded program is available to students entering Earlham beginning in fall 2027; it does not apply retroactively to students who are already enrolled.

We recognize that this may be disappointing for current students and their families. The expansion of INspire Earlham is intended to make an Earlham education accessible to more Indiana students and families, and beginning with the fall 2027 entering class, the program will provide that opportunity to a broader group of students.

Earlham has always awarded significant financial aid to support domestic and international students. However, even with competitive financial aid offers, there are still costs that pose barriers for students in completing a degree in four years. The INspire Earlham program is a bold statement of Earlham’s commitment to reversing a decline in the number of Hoosiers pursuing higher education from low-income backgrounds.

There are several different kinds of aid available including scholarships, loans, grants, and student employment opportunities.