Tuition, Scholarships, and Financial Aid
At Founder’s College, our goal is to graduate students with little to no debt, but a lot of possibilities.
Founder’s College was intentionally designed for students with limited financial resources. It is anticipated that each student will qualify for Federal Pell Grants and Indiana state aid, minimizing out-of-pocket costs.
Founder’s College students are expected to live at home to reduce their living expenses. Additionally, we assist students in finding external employment to help them earn extra income for personal expenses.
Tuition & Fees
Founder’s College tuition and fees for academic year 2025–2026 will be published in late 2024. Financial aid is expected to cover all or nearly all of the student’s tuition and fees.
Resources Provided to Students
In addition to fees, we’ll provide assistance with other expenses such as transportation, books, and laptops. We’re committed to ensuring that financial challenges don’t stop you from earning your degree and getting the life and career you deserve.
Founder’s College students receive the following resources, free of cost:
- A laptop
- Assistance with transportation costs
- Books and instructional materials
- One meal provided on class days
Types of Aid
Every student’s financial aid eligibility is unique. After you complete the FAFSA, your financial aid offer will be provided, as well as an outline of your anticipated costs. Types of financial assistance available to Founder’s College students include:
Scholarships and grants are financial aid offers that don’t need to be paid back. Founder’s College students may have the opportunity to receive the following:
- Federal Pell Grant: The Pell Grant is the largest federal grant program offered to undergraduates and is designed to assist students from low-income households.
- Frank O’Bannon Grant: The Frank O’Bannon Grant, which includes the Higher Education Award and the Freedom of Choice Award, is Indiana’s primary need-based financial aid program.
- 21st Century Scholarship: Started in 1990, 21st Century Scholars is Indiana’s early college promise program. It offers income-eligible Hoosier students up to four years of paid tuition at an eligible Indiana college or university after they graduate from high school. To be eligible, students must be automatically enrolled or apply in 7th or 8th grade.
- Butler grants or scholarships
Other external scholarships from corporations, clubs, or professional organizations are an important addition to any financial aid package.
Federal work-study provides part-time jobs for students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. Eligibility for work-study employment is based on financial aid eligibility determined by the FAFSA. Students typically work on-campus an average of eight to twelve hours per week. The award amount is not automatically deducted from the student’s bill; instead, students receive a paycheck every two weeks for the hours worked. While students are required to pay taxes on their earnings, the amount earned does not count against their financial aid eligibility for the following year.
If you qualify, the offer of federal students loans will be included in the financial aid offer. Students will meet with a financial aid representative before borrowing. We anticipate students will need little to no loan assistance to pay for their expenses while enrolled at Founder’s College, but some students may have circumstances that create a need for additional funding.
Applying for Financial Aid
Founder’s College enables students to achieve an associate’s degree with minimal financial burden.
All Founder’s College applicants are required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to access all financial assistance options. The FAFSA should be filed before the Priority Application Deadline of February 15, 2025. Demonstrating a high level of financial need through the FAFSA is a prerequisite for admission to Founder’s College.
Most foreign citizens are not eligible for federal student aid from the U.S. Department of Education, and cannot file the FAFSA. There are, however, some instances in which noncitizens may be eligible for federal government aid. Visit studentaid.gov for more information.
Use Butler’s school code when filing: 001788.
If you are unable to file the FAFSA, please contact our Admission team.