International Students
Financial Aid & Scholarships

The Office of Financial Aid awards scholarships to International Students who are full-time undergraduate students pursuing their first bachelor’s degree. All Butler gift assistance is for tuition only unless otherwise stated.

International, undocumented, and DACA students are not eligible for federal financial aid via the FAFSA, including grants, loans, and work study. To find out if you are a non-U.S. citizen that qualifies for federal student aid, please visit the Federal Student Aid website.

The programs and options below may be available to students who are not eligible for federal aid programs.

Resources for DACA and Undocumented Students

The websites below can provide more information about outside scholarship opportunities and other resources available to the undocumented and DACA community.

For information on possible loans for DACA and Undocumented Students, please review the “Loan Options” section above.

International Gift Aid (Scholarships & Grants)

Butler University is the largest provider of financial aid to our students. Butler gift assistance is available only to full-time undergraduate students pursuing their first bachelor’s degree and is for tuition only unless otherwise stated.

Award amounts listed below are from the 2022–2023 academic year and may vary for future academic years.

To Apply: Complete the Butler Application or Common App.

Application Deadline: Apply by November 1 and be admitted Early Action to receive maximum scholarship consideration. Complete applications received after November 1 and admitted Regular Decision will be considered for scholarship based on available funds.

Award Amounts: Range from $15,000 to $24,000 and vary each academic year based on the quality of the applicant pool.

Selection Criteria: Awards are based on the student’s academic record and test scores (if submitted).

Notification: Academic scholarships are included with the offer of admission.

Renewable? Yes, as long as the student maintains the renewal criteria outlined in the scholarship offer.

This award is named to honor the late Dr. John Morton-Finney, an African American alumnus of Butler University. Dr. Morton-Finney earned 11 degrees and practiced law for 53 years until two years before his death at 108 years of age, making him the oldest practicing attorney in Indiana. In addition to his legal accomplishments, he was also the oldest living member of the World War I Army unit of Black soldiers known as the Buffalo Soldiers. Dr. Morton-Finney believed in education and served the Indianapolis Public School system for 47 years as a teacher and administrator.

Award recipients participate in Butler’s Morton-Finney Diversity Scholar Program and must meet program guidelines which include, but are not limited to: attendance at designated meetings and participation in assigned programs and projects.

For more than 20 years, Butler has been awarding these scholarships to students who have taken a leadership role promoting diversity and inclusion in their schools or communities.

Scholarship instructions for Early Action applicants:
1. Complete a Butler Application or Common App (and submit all required supporting materials) by our Early Action deadline of November 1, 2022.

2. Complete the Morton-Finney Diversity Scholar Award application form by November 15, 2022. (Access to the application form is emailed to students after their application for admission is submitted.)

Identified applicants will be invited to attend the Butler Blue Scholars’ Day Program on February 4, 2023, which will include individual Butler Blue Scholars’ Interviews. Invitations will be sent in December of 2022. 

Application Deadline: Apply for admission by November 1; complete the Morton-Finney Diversity Scholar Award application form by November 15.

Award Amounts: Awards range from $5,000 to full tuition (with other Butler gift assistance, state, and federal aid).

Selection Criteria: Candidates must have applied and been admitted by the November 1 Early Action Deadline. In addition to strong academic rigor and performance, candidates must demonstrate commitment and actions to promote diversity and inclusion through high school and community activities. Candidates from racially and ethnically diverse populations who have been historically underrepresented in institutions of higher education are encouraged to apply.

Notification: Award letters are sent by mid-March.

Renewable? Yes, as long as the student maintains the renewal criteria outlined in the scholarship offer. Award recipients participate in Butler’s Morton-Finney Diversity Scholar Program and must meet program guidelines which include, but are not limited to: attendance at designated meetings and participation in assigned programs and projects.

The Center for Faith and Vocation Scholars Program is an opportunity to recognize students who have shown a commitment to communities of faith and have explored that commitment through service to others, social activism, and/or an appreciation for interfaith engagement. The Center for Faith and Vocation Scholarship is awarded to students who show exemplary experience and commitment in these areas, with the goal that these students continue to carry out their leadership of service, action, and interfaith engagement on campus.

Candidates with diverse religious backgrounds and those who have shown a dedicated and lasting commitment to service, activism, and interfaith engagement are highly encouraged to apply.

Recipients of this award are expected to be excellent students–maintaining a 3.0 GPA–as well as engaged community members. Scholars are expected to participate in leadership activities designed to promote interfaith involvement on campus each semester they receive the scholarship. Throughout their time at Butler, Scholars will have access to additional mentoring and support from our CFV Scholar in Residence.

To Apply:
1. Complete a Butler Application or Common App (and submit all required supporting materials) by our Early Action deadline of November 1, 2022.

2. Complete the Center for Faith and Vocation (CFV) Scholars application form by November 15, 2022. (Access to the application form is emailed to students after their application for admission is submitted.)

Identified applicants will be invited to attend the Butler Blue Scholars’ Day Program on February 4, 2023, which will include individual Butler Blue Scholars’ Interviews. Invitations will be sent in December of 2022. 

Application Deadline: Apply for admission by November 1; complete the Center for Faith and Vocation First Year Scholars application form by November 15.

Award Amount: $4,000 per academic year

Selection Criteria: Students must be admitted Early Action. In addition to submitting an impactful application essay, ideal candidates should have a strong academic record and have demonstrated interest and participation in one or more of the following:

  • Leadership
  • Religious Exploration
  • Interfaith Engagement
  • Service to Others
  • Social Justice Activism

Notification: Award letters are sent by mid-March.

Renewable? Yes, as long as the student maintains the renewal criteria outlined in the scholarship offer; students should maintain a 3.0 GPA and will be expected to participate at least 10 hours/semester of interfaith engagement on campus.

To Apply: In addition to the Butler Application or the Common App, an audition, interview, or artwork submission is required.

Application Deadline: Students are encouraged to apply by November 1 and audition early for best opportunity.

Award Amounts: Vary based on performance ability/interview/submitted work and departmental needs.

Selection Criteria: Determined by the department.

Notification: Award letters are sent from the auditioning department by mid–March.

Jordan College of the Arts Award are only available to students majoring within JCA–School of Music; Departments of Dance, Theatre and Arts Administration; and the Arts Program.

To Apply: Contact the Athletics Department.

Award Amounts: Vary based on performance ability and the needs of the team.

Selection Criteria: Determined by the coach.

Awards are made in the NCAA Division I athletic programs. Men’s football and women’s swimming are non-scholarship programs.

Loan Options

International students (and other non-U.S. citizens) may be eligible to use Private Education Loans with a creditworthy co-signer who is a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident. Learn more about Private Education Loans here.

Below are a few other lenders that may have loan options for student borrowers who are not eligible for Private Education Loans and/or do not have an eligible co-signer.

All loan options mentioned above are not affiliated with Butler University. Approval of any loan will be based on information each lender has obtained and their specific credit criteria. When reviewing any loan options, be sure to understand the terms and conditions carefully and select a lender based on the benefits that you find most appealing.