Welcome!

As part of the Indiana State Advantage, first-time, full-time students entering ISU in Fall 2022 or Spring 2023 and full-time, transfer students entering ISU in Spring 2023 may receive an Experience Grant. The value of the grant ranges from $1,000 to $3,000 for internships and other work-based experiences, study abroad, education abroad, research and creative activity, or a service trip. The experience is a one-time opportunity and will be available beginning the second year at Indiana State.

Eligible Activities

1. Internships and other work-based experiences: This category includes internships, off-campus practicum, co-ops, clinical experiences, student teaching and other experiences based in a professional, work environment. Visit the ISU Career Center for more information about internships.
2. Study Abroad: This category includes intensive, credit-bearing study-abroad experiences that require the student to become immersed in the culture of the destination, as well as faculty-led study-abroad experiences. Visit the ISU Center for Global Engagement for more information about study abroad.
3. Service-Learning: This category includes both semester-long, local community engagement experiences, in which the student takes a significant leadership role, and travel-based service experiences. Visit the ISU Center for Community Engagement for more information about service-learning.
4. Undergraduate Research/Creative Activity: This category includes research or creative opportunities, mentored by faculty, that involve the development or use of disciplinary and/or professional knowledge or skills in the advancement of scholarly questions or creative expression. Visit the Center for Student Research and Creativity for more information about research and creative activity.

Student Eligibility

First-time, full-time, on-campus students entering ISU beginning in the fall 2022 term, and full-time, on-campus transfer students entering ISU beginning the spring 2023 term, are eligible for the Indiana State Advantage Experience Grant. All students that apply for the Indiana State Advantage Experience Grant must meet the following criteria:

1. Good academic and conduct standing.
2. The one-time grant will be available beginning the second year at Indiana State.
3. Continual, full-time enrollment (fall and spring) up to the semester/term of experience. (Students with an emergency break in enrollment are able to appeal.)
4. Award must be used within 10 semesters from the date the student enters ISU for on-campus, full-time, undergraduate instruction, or the point at which a student earns their first undergraduate degree, whichever comes first.
5. Receipt of the award is contingent upon the applicant’s ability to enroll in the semester for which the award is intended. Students with registration holds of any type are ineligible for the award.
6. The experience must be completed prior to graduation.

Students who have previously received an Indiana State Advantage Experience Grant are not eligible to apply. The Indiana State Advantage Experience Grant is not open to online-only or returning ISU students.

The earliest Experience Grants will be available for first-time, full-time students is the Fall 2023 term. Transfer students will be eligible for Experience Grants beginning in the Spring 2024 term.

Applications

Applications for the Indiana State Advantage Experience Grant will open during the Spring 2023 semester for Fall 2023 experiences. Available experiences for the fall semester include semester-long (traditional) study abroad, internships, and undergraduate research and creative experiences.

A limited number of service-learning trips and faculty-led study-abroad experiences may be available during the winter break. Applications for winter experiences will be available on September 1. Applications for Spring 2024 experiences will be available on September 1, 2023.

Students will submit their applications through The Branch, ISU’s scholarship application system.

Application Deadlines for Fall 2023 Experiences

• Semester-Long Study Abroad – Applications are due by June 1.
• Internships, Clinicals, and Student Teaching – Applications are due by August 1.
• Undergraduate Research and Creative Experiences – Applications are due by August 1.

Application Deadlines for Winter 2023/24 Experiences

• Winter Service-Learning Trips – Applications are due by October 1.
• Winter Faculty-Led Study Abroad – Applications are due by October 1.

Application Deadlines for Spring 2024 Experiences

• Semester-Long Study Abroad – Applications are due by November 1.
• Internships, Clinicals, and Student Teaching – Applications are due by November 1.
• Undergraduate Research and Creative Experiences – Applications are due by November 1.
• Spring Break Faculty-Led Study Abroad and Service Trips – Applications are due by December 1.

Application Deadlines for Summer 2024 Experiences

• Semester-Long (Summer Term) Study Abroad – Applications are due by April 1.
• Internships and Clinical Placements – Applications are due by April 1.
• Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity – Applications are due by April 1.
• Summer Faculty-Led Study Abroad – Applications are due by February 1.
• Summer Service Trips – Applications are due by February 1.

Grant Funding Available

Experience Grants range in amount from $1,000 to $3,000 based on the type of experience. Please reference the table below.

SURE is a summer competitive summer program.  The funding for the SURE program qualifies as the Indiana State Advantage Experience Grant and selected students will not be eligible for the additional funding.  Students who participate in the Networks and Gongaware programs are also not eligible for additional funding.

Updated on: 8/3/2023