Frank O'Bannon Grant
Offered by Indiana Commission for Higher Education · Free to apply
Indiana's biggest need-based grant helps residents pay for a first associate or bachelor's degree at an Indiana college, with amounts set by an annual schedule that reads off family income and the type of school; awards run larger at private colleges and can exceed $10,000 a year there. The FAFSA is the only application, and Indiana treats its April 15 date as firm rather than a priority target. Residency has to be established by December 31 of the year before the aid year, and enrollment must be full time. Finishing 30 or more credits a year earns the higher on-time award tier, while 24 credits renews the grant at a reduced full-time amount. File the FAFSA in the fall, well ahead of April, since missing that date costs a full year of the grant.
How hard is the Frank O'Bannon Grant to win?
This is not a competition. Aid is allocated by a published formula, so meeting the criteria and filing on time is what determines whether the money arrives.
- Estimated odds
- qualifying students generally receive it
- Paperwork
- ~1 hr to file
What drives the odds here
Odds on a scholarship are mostly a question of how many students can enter. Each rule below changes the size of that field.
- Fewer rivalsOpen only to Indiana residents
How Solyo estimates this: State programs that allocate by published formula are modelled on qualification and filing, not on competition, because there is no selection committee choosing between applicants. These are estimates derived from each award's published structure, not reported acceptance rates, which almost no scholarship provider discloses. Treat them as a way to rank where the hours go, not as a guarantee.
Who can apply for the Frank O'Bannon Grant?
These are the eligibility rules Solyo verified against the official award page, translated into plain English. Your student must meet each one.
- Must be a resident of Indiana
- Open to high school seniors and current college students
- Open to U.S. citizens or permanent residents (green card)
- Must file the FAFSA by April 15 for the following academic year
- Must be an Indiana resident by December 31 of the year before the aid year and enroll full time
- Award amount follows the annual schedule by income band and institution type; earning 30+ credits per year unlocks the higher on-time award
What the application takes
No essay, recommendation letters, or transcript are required. This is one of the lighter applications in the directory.
Deadline and application cycle
The current deadline is April 15, 2027. This award runs on an annual cycle, with deadlines around April 15 each year. Applications open when the FAFSA opens on October 1. The FAFSA is the whole application and April 15 is firm, so a missed filing forfeits the grant for that year.
- FAFSA opens
- October 1, 2026
- Indiana residency established
- December 31, 2026
- FAFSA due
- April 15, 2027
- Award set by the annual schedule
- Summer
Does your student actually qualify?
See if your student qualifies in 30 seconds. Solyo checks 20+ criteria against their real profile: GPA, state, grade level, intended major, and more, across every award in this directory at once.
Common questions about the Frank O'Bannon Grant
How much is the Frank O'Bannon Grant worth?
The Frank O'Bannon Grant awards varies by need and institution type per the annual award schedule (roughly up to $10,000+/yr at privates); 2026-27 amounts held flat and is renewable in later years.
When is the Frank O'Bannon Grant deadline?
The current deadline is April 15, 2027. This award runs on an annual cycle, with deadlines around April 15 each year. Applications open when the FAFSA opens on October 1. The FAFSA is the whole application and April 15 is firm, so a missed filing forfeits the grant for that year.
When do Frank O'Bannon Grant applications open?
Applications open when the FAFSA opens on October 1, and close April 15, 2027. The FAFSA is the whole application and April 15 is firm, so a missed filing forfeits the grant for that year.
Who is eligible for the Frank O'Bannon Grant?
Key requirements: Must be a resident of Indiana; Open to high school seniors and current college students; Open to U.S. citizens or permanent residents (green card).
Does the Frank O'Bannon Grant require an essay?
No essay is required. The application is light on requirements. Expect to spend about 1 hour on it.
How hard is it to win the Frank O'Bannon Grant?
This is not a competition. Aid is allocated by a published formula, so meeting the criteria and filing on time is what determines whether the money arrives. Solyo classifies this award as formula-based, meaning qualifying students generally receive it. Plan on about 1 hr of paperwork.
Is the Frank O'Bannon Grant free to apply?
Yes. The Frank O'Bannon Grant is free to apply. Legitimate scholarships never charge an application fee, and Solyo verifies every listed award against its official page.
More state grants & programs
- 802 Opportunity GrantFull tuition and the $100 administrative fee at CCV (last-dollar)
- Access Missouri Financial Assistance ProgramVaries by SAI and school type per statutory table (amounts prorated if funding is short)
- Alabama Student Grant ProgramUp to $3,000/yr ($1,500 per semester; actual amount depends on state funding)
- Alaska Education Grant$500-$4,000/yr based on need and enrollment level
- Alaska Performance Scholarship$3,500-$7,000/yr depending on tier
- Arizona Promise ProgramFull tuition & mandatory fees at Arizona public universities (last-dollar)
Lists this award appears on
Award details are curated by Solyo and verified against the official scholarship page. Deadlines and requirements can change between cycles, so always confirm on the provider's site before applying.