Scholarships, USA

IU Bloomington International Student Scholarships 2027 — Complete Guide

Faseeh Sultan

July 3, 2026
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IU Bloomington International Student Scholarships 2027 — Complete Guide

Indiana University Bloomington is one of America’s great public research universities — and it quietly offers one of the most diverse collections of scholarships for international students of any US institution. Whether you are a first-year undergraduate just arriving in the US, a graduate student studying business in Thailand, a humanities scholar from China, or an international woman building leadership at IU, there is very likely a scholarship on this list designed for someone exactly like you. This complete guide covers all 9 international student scholarships currently available through IU Bloomington — every eligibility requirement, award amount, deadline, and application step sourced directly from the official pages. Bookmark this, read it carefully, and apply for every award you qualify for.

Detail	Information
Institution	Indiana University Bloomington (IU Bloomington)
Country	USA 🇺🇸
Degree Level	Undergraduate & Graduate
Number of Scholarships	9 distinct awards
Funding Type	Merit, need-based, country-specific, field-specific
Application Portal	Atlas Scholarship Application
Admission Deadline (for auto-consideration)	Upcoming Cycle, February 1
Official Page	IU Bloomington International Scholarships
Contact	ois@iu.edu \| 812-855-9086

🎓 About IU Bloomington and Its International Scholarship Programme

Indiana University Bloomington — known to its students as IU — is the flagship campus of Indiana University, one of the most globally connected public universities in the United States. It enrolls tens of thousands of students across more than 550 academic programmes, spanning everything from music and journalism to business, law, data science, and the natural sciences.

What makes IU particularly welcoming for international students is its Office of International Services (OIS), which administers a dedicated portfolio of scholarships built specifically for the international community on campus. These are not recycled general scholarships with an international applicant footnote — they were created, endowed, and maintained by donors, alumni chapters, and university departments who specifically wanted to invest in students coming from abroad.

The 9 scholarships below range from automatic merit awards requiring no separate application, to competitive awards requiring a personal statement and references, to a video-based scholarship celebrating global contributions to campus life. Some are open to students from any country; others are country-specific. Some cover undergraduates only; others extend to graduate students. The breadth is genuinely unusual for a single institution — and that is what makes this guide worth reading in full.

🎓 All 9 IU Bloomington International Student Scholarships

1. Global Citizen Scholarship — $7,500 (Open to All International Students)

Here’s the best part about this one: it is open to all international students at IU Bloomington, at any level and from any country. The Global Citizen Scholarship awards $7,500 as a one-time prize to three students each year, presented during International Education Week each fall.

The application is video-based — students submit a short video responding to a theme set by the Office of International Services. Past themes have centred on friendship, community, and the experience of building a life across cultures. No essays, no transcript uploads, no reference letters — just a creative, personal video.

Award: $7,500 one-time (3 winners per year)
Open to: All current international students at IU Bloomington
Application: Submit a video via OIS
Deadline: Annually during fall semester (watch for OIS email announcements)
Official page: Global Citizen Scholarship

2. C.V. Starr Foundation Scholarship — Citizens of China (Automatic Consideration)

The C.V. Starr Foundation Scholarship is a prestigious one-year award for high-achieving first-year undergraduate students from China. What makes this different from most scholarships is that no separate application is required — students are automatically considered when they apply for admission to IU Bloomington.

The Starr Foundation has endowed scholarship funds at more than 100 colleges and universities across the United States. At IU Bloomington, the award recognises academically strong Chinese students making their first step into a US undergraduate degree.

Award amount: Not publicly disclosed (verify on official website)
Open to: Non-immigrant Chinese citizens entering as first-year undergraduates
How to be considered: Submit your full IU admission application by February 1
No separate application required
Official page: C.V. Starr Foundation Scholarship

3. Japan Alumni Chapter Scholarship — Citizens of Japan (Automatic Consideration)

The Japan Alumni Chapter Scholarship is a one-time award for students from Japan who demonstrate strong academic achievement, with preference for incoming undergraduate students. Like the Starr Scholarship, students are automatically considered through their admission application — no separate form needed.

The scholarship is funded and maintained by IU’s Japan Alumni Chapter, part of the university’s global alumni network — a meaningful signal of how strongly IU’s Japanese graduate community invests in the next generation.

Award amount: Not publicly disclosed (verify on official website)
Open to: Japanese citizens, preference for incoming undergraduates
How to be considered: Submit your full IU admission application by February 1
No separate application required
Official page: Japan Alumni Chapter Scholarship

4. BP Peduli Scholarship — $1,000–$2,000 (ASEAN Students)

The BP Peduli Scholarship supports undergraduate students from ASEAN countries, with particular preference for students from Indonesia. It is a competitive, need-based award of between $1,000 and $2,000, with one or two scholarships granted per year.

Students must be currently enrolled as full-time sophomores, juniors, or seniors with a GPA of 3.0 or above. This is an active-student scholarship — it is not available to incoming freshmen or to graduate students. Preference is always given to first-time applicants.

Award: $1,000–$2,000 (1–2 per year)
Open to: Full-time undergraduate ASEAN students (sophomore, junior, senior); preference for Indonesian students
Requirements: 3.0+ GPA, demonstrated financial need, demonstrated leadership at IU
Application: Via Atlas + personal statement + 2 references
Deadline: Spring semester (OIS sends email in February/March with exact date)
Official page: BP Peduli Scholarship

5. Bunchana Atthakor Scholarship — $750–$1,500 (Thai Graduate Students)

The Bunchana Atthakor Scholarship was established to support Thai graduate students pursuing studies in business, public affairs, or economics at IU Bloomington. It awards $750 to $1,500 per year, with one or two scholarships available annually.

What makes this scholarship flexible is its cascading eligibility structure: the primary target is Thai graduate students in the specified fields with demonstrated financial need. If no such students apply, the award may go to any Thai student, and if still no eligible Thai applicants are found, it can go to any ASEAN graduate student in those fields.

Award: $750–$1,500 (1–2 per year)
Open to: Thai graduate students (primary); ASEAN graduate students in business/public affairs/economics (secondary)
Requirements: Full-time graduate student, 3.0+ undergraduate GPA, demonstrated financial need
Application: Via Atlas + personal statement + 2 references
Deadline: Spring semester (OIS sends email in February/March)
Official page: Bunchana Atthakor Scholarship

6. Eoyang-Lee Fellowship — Arts & Sciences (All International Students)

The Eoyang-Lee Fellowship is one of the most distinctive scholarships on this list. Established in 1990 by IU Professor Eugene Eoyang and his wife Patricia Lee Eoyang in memory of their parents, the fellowship was designed to offer both financial and moral support to international students who have overcome real hardships.

It is open to both undergraduate and graduate international students enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences who are interested in the humanities and are nearing degree completion. The award can include cash or fee remission. There are two specific fellowship funds — the Edward Wonkai and Francis Moy Lee Fellowship, and the Thomas Zao and Ellen Cao Eoyang Fellowship — and successful applicants are matched with the one most likely to inspire them.

Award: Cash or fee remission (amount varies; verify on official website)
Open to: International undergraduates and graduates in the College of Arts and Sciences with a humanities focus
Requirements: Demonstrated financial need, ability to overcome obstacles, nearing degree completion
Application: Via Atlas + personal statement + 2 references
Deadline: Spring semester (OIS sends email in February/March)
Official page: Eoyang-Lee Fellowship

7. Irving and Lena Lo (ILLO) Scholarship — China, Hong Kong & Taiwan

The ILLO Scholarship was established in 1988 by IU Professor Emeritus Irving Yucheng Lo and his wife Lena Lo, who believed deeply in the power of education for young people. It supports undergraduate and graduate students from China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan studying specific fields.

One scholarship each year is reserved for a music student in composition, piano, or string/wind instruments (brass and percussion excluded). After that, awards go in order of preference to students in history and philosophy of science, religious studies, comparative literature, studio art, and journalism. An important incentive: the recipient’s school is also encouraged to match the scholarship with an award of its own.

Award: Cash or fee remission (amount varies; verify on official website)
Open to: Undergraduate and graduate students from China, Hong Kong, or Taiwan in specified fields
Requirements: Demonstrated financial need, courage and strong character, solid academic performance
Application: Via Atlas + personal statement + 2 references
Deadline: Spring semester (OIS sends email in February/March)
Official page: Irving and Lena Lo (ILLO) Scholarship

8. Scott Schurz Latin American Scholarship — Journalism (Renewable up to 4 Years)

The Scott Schurz Latin American Scholarship is one of the most generous on this list in terms of duration — it is renewable for up to four years, covering the full undergraduate journey. It targets students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism through The Media School at IU Bloomington.

First preference goes to undergraduates from Latin America, second to first-generation students whose parents are from Latin America, third to other international undergraduates, and fourth to international graduate students. Most students gain access through IU’s Selective Scholarship Application (SSA), for which they need to have applied to IU by November 1 and indicated interest in journalism or media. Strong SSA candidates in past years have had SAT scores above 1280, ACT scores of 27+, and GPAs of 3.6 or higher.

Award amount: Not publicly disclosed (verify on official website)
Duration: Renewable up to 4 years
Open to: Students pursuing BA in Journalism at The Media School; first preference for Latin American undergraduates
Application: Via Selective Scholarship Application (SSA) for those who apply by November 1; separate application available for others
Deadline: Apply to IU by November 1 for SSA consideration; February 1 for direct applicants
Contact: emrharri@indiana.edu | 812-855-9249
Official page: Scott Schurz Latin American Scholarship

9. Rising Star Scholarship — $3,000 (International Women, Nomination Only)

The Rising Star Scholarship is awarded every other year at IU Bloomington’s International Women’s Day Conference, in honour of Yaolin Wang. It recognises a young international woman who demonstrates emerging potential — someone using their time at IU to help others, lead, inspire, or quietly set others up to shine.

The scholarship is $3,000 and is presented to one student. Crucially, students cannot apply for this scholarship — they must be nominated by an IU faculty or staff member. If you believe you match the profile, the best step is to build relationships with faculty and let your work speak for itself.

Award: $3,000 (one recipient every other year)
Open to: Female, non-immigrant, international students (freshman, sophomore, or junior) with a 3.0+ GPA
How to be considered: IU faculty or staff member must submit a nomination
Nomination opens: Mid-February
Nomination deadline: March 3
Award presented: March 8 at International Women’s Day Conference
Official page: Rising Star Scholarship

🎓 Quick Comparison: Which Scholarship Is Right for You?

Scholarship	Who It’s For	Amount	How to Apply
Global Citizen Scholarship	All international students	$7,500	Video submission
C.V. Starr Foundation	Chinese citizens, UG freshmen	Not disclosed	Auto via admission
Japan Alumni Chapter	Japanese citizens, UG	Not disclosed	Auto via admission
BP Peduli	ASEAN UG (pref. Indonesia)	$1,000–$2,000	Atlas application
Bunchana Atthakor	Thai grad students	$750–$1,500	Atlas application
Eoyang-Lee Fellowship	Arts & Sciences, humanities focus	Varies	Atlas application
ILLO Scholarship	China/HK/Taiwan, specific fields	Varies	Atlas application
Scott Schurz	Latin America, journalism BA	Not disclosed	SSA or direct app
Rising Star	International women, fr/so/jr	$3,000	Faculty nomination

🎓 Who Should Apply / Who Shouldn’t

✅ These scholarships are right for you if:

You are a current or incoming international student at IU Bloomington at any level
You are from ASEAN, Latin America, China, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, or Thailand — targeted country-specific awards exist for you
You are a female international undergraduate with leadership potential
You are studying humanities, journalism, music, business, or public affairs
You demonstrate financial need alongside academic merit

❌ These may not apply if:

You are not yet admitted to IU Bloomington — admission is the essential first step for all awards
You are a domestic US citizen or permanent resident — these scholarships are specifically for international (non-immigrant) students
You are looking for a fully funded, all-expenses scholarship — these are supplemental awards, not full scholarships covering tuition and living costs
You are a graduate student interested in BP Peduli or Rising Star — both are undergraduate-only

🎓 Step-by-Step: How to Apply

Apply for admission to IU Bloomington first. Every scholarship on this list requires enrollment or admission. Start at bloomington.iu.edu/admissions.
Submit your admission application by November 1 if you want Scott Schurz SSA consideration, or February 1 for all other automatic-consideration awards (C.V. Starr, Japan Alumni Chapter).
Once enrolled, set up your Atlas account — the majority of IU Bloomington’s international scholarships are applied for through the Atlas portal.
Watch your IU email every February/March. The Office of International Services sends an annual email to all international students with the scholarship application window and exact deadlines.
Prepare your personal statement in advance. Most Atlas-based scholarships ask for a 1–2 page personal statement covering your family history, reasons for studying in the US, financial hardships, career plans, and contributions to society.
Arrange two references. Your primary reference should be an IU academic advisor, professor, or department contact. Your second can be academic or professional.
For the Rising Star Scholarship: build visible relationships with faculty and staff. You cannot self-nominate — your work and character must prompt someone at IU to nominate you.
For the Global Citizen Scholarship: watch for the fall semester announcement from OIS and start thinking about your video theme early.

Gradualin Tip: Apply for every scholarship you are eligible for — there is no penalty for multiple applications, and different scholarships consider different qualities. A student who misses the ILLO Scholarship might win the Eoyang-Lee Fellowship. Cast wide.

🎓 Important Dates

Deadline	What It’s For
November 1	Admission deadline for Scott Schurz SSA consideration
February 1	Admission deadline for C.V. Starr & Japan Alumni auto-consideration
February/March (annually)	OIS email sent with deadlines for Atlas-based scholarships
Mid-February	Rising Star Scholarship nominations open
March 3	Rising Star Scholarship nominations close
March 8	Rising Star Award presented at International Women’s Day
Fall semester	Global Citizen Scholarship application window

Bookmark this page and check back for updates — exact spring semester deadlines are announced by OIS each year via email to enrolled students.

🎓 Why Choose IU Bloomington

Indiana University Bloomington is one of the few US public universities where an international student can genuinely access multiple, stacked scholarship opportunities simply by enrolling. The range here — from a video competition open to everyone, to donor-endowed awards for specific nationalities and fields, to a nomination-based leadership prize — reflects a campus that takes its global community seriously.

Bloomington itself is a classic American university town in southern Indiana, affordable by US standards, with a vibrant arts scene, exceptional music school (the Jacobs School of Music is among the finest in the world), and a welcoming student culture. The cost of living is significantly lower than major coastal cities, which means even a supplemental scholarship of $1,500 goes meaningfully further here than it would in New York or Los Angeles.

IU also has one of the most active international student communities in the Midwest, with students from over 150 countries, strong alumni chapters across Asia, Latin America, and Europe, and an Office of International Services that is genuinely responsive and well-resourced.

🎓 FAQ

Q: Do I need to be already enrolled at IU to apply for these scholarships? A: It depends on the award. The C.V. Starr, Japan Alumni, and Scott Schurz scholarships consider applicants during the admissions process. The Atlas-based scholarships (BP Peduli, Bunchana Atthakor, Eoyang-Lee, ILLO) and the Rising Star and Global Citizen awards require you to already be enrolled at IU Bloomington.

Q: Can I apply for more than one scholarship at IU Bloomington? A: Yes. There is no rule preventing you from applying to multiple scholarships. Apply for every award you genuinely qualify for — the selection processes are independent of each other.

Q: Do these scholarships require IELTS or TOEFL? A: No separate English test is required specifically for the scholarships. However, IU Bloomington’s standard international admissions process does require English proficiency documentation (verify exact requirements at the IU admissions page).

Q: What is the Atlas portal used for? A: Atlas is IU’s student services platform. Most of the need-based and competitive international scholarships — BP Peduli, Bunchana Atthakor, Eoyang-Lee, and ILLO — require students to submit their applications through Atlas. You select the specific scholarship within the form.

Q: What if I face a sudden financial emergency mid-semester? A: IU’s Office of International Services also offers a need-based emergency scholarship that can be applied for at any time of year through Atlas, for students whose financial situation has changed unexpectedly. Awards typically range from $500 to $2,000.

Q: Who should I contact at IU Bloomington for scholarship questions? A: The Office of International Services at ois@iu.edu or 812-855-9086. For the Scott Schurz scholarship specifically, contact emrharri@indiana.edu.

🎓 Official Source

International Scholarships Hub: bloomington.iu.edu/cost-aid/scholarships/international
Atlas Scholarship Application Portal: Apply Here
Apply to IU Bloomington: Start Your Application
Office of International Services: ois.iu.edu
Contact OIS: ois@iu.edu | 812-855-9086
Address: Ferguson International Center, 330 N. Eagleson Avenue, Bloomington, IN 47405

🎓 Summary Table

Scholarship	Level	Nationality	Amount	Deadline
Global Citizen Scholarship	UG + Grad	All countries	$7,500	Fall semester
C.V. Starr Foundation	UG freshman	China	Not disclosed	Feb 1 (via admission)
Japan Alumni Chapter	UG (pref. incoming)	Japan	Not disclosed	Feb 1 (via admission)
BP Peduli	UG (soph–senior)	ASEAN (pref. Indonesia)	$1,000–$2,000	Spring (OIS email)
Bunchana Atthakor	Grad	Thailand / ASEAN	$750–$1,500	Spring (OIS email)
Eoyang-Lee Fellowship	UG + Grad	All (Arts & Sciences only)	Varies	Spring (OIS email)
ILLO Scholarship	UG + Grad	China, HK, Taiwan	Varies	Spring (OIS email)
Scott Schurz	UG (pref. Grad)	Latin America (pref.)	Not disclosed	Nov 1 / Feb 1
Rising Star Scholarship	UG fr/so/jr	All (female, non-immigrant)	$3,000	March 3 (nomination)