Indiana University South Bend is offering Indiana tuition to 50 top out-of-state students as part of the Chancellor’s Merit Award program.

“This award should be particularly attractive to high school graduates in Berrien, St. Joseph and Cass counties because of their close proximity to IU South Bend,” said Indiana University South Bend Chancellor Una Mae Reck. “Students who receive the award can earn an Indiana University degree without paying out-of-state tuition.”

Reck said IU South Bend has been working over the summer to find a way to allow high ability students who live just across the state line to come to campus without paying the higher nonresident tuition. Tuition at IU South Bend for Indiana residents is $144 per credit hour, for out-of-state students tuition is $380.65.

The Chancellor’s Merit Award rewards high ability nonresident students with significant savings, Reck said. Up to 50 awards will be granted for the upcoming fall session at IU South Bend which begins Aug. 30.

To qualify for the award beginning freshmen must meet the following criteria:

• graduated from a U.S. high school outside of the state of Indiana

• completed a college preparatory curriculum with a “B” average or higher

• scored 1000 or higher on the SAT (21 or higher composite score on the ACT)

Transfer students must meet the following criteria:

• transfer from a U.S. college or university outside the state of Indiana with at least 25 transferable credit hours and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

• or have earned semifinalist or finalist status in the National Merit Scholarship competition.

Transfer students with fewer than 26 transferable credit hours will be evaluated on their high school record and test scores. Awards require full time enrollment with no break in enrollment (excluding summer terms). Satisfactory academic progress is required for renewal. Academic progress and course load will be checked each semester to verify continued eligibility.

For more information about the Indiana University South Bend Chancellor’s Merit Award contact the Admissions Office at (877) GO-2-IUSB or email at admissions@iusb.edu.