Indiana University East is offering test-optional scholarships for incoming freshmen beginning the 2020-2021 academic year.

IU East no longer requires incoming freshmen to submit standardized test scores for admission. The change follows the Board of Trustees approval to adopt a test-optional admissions policy for each IU campus beginning with the 2021 terms.

IU East’s Office of Admissions is located in Whitewater Hall.

High school students submitting their application for enrollment to IU East are able to choose whether they submit standardized test scores as part of their application to the university.

As part of the new policy, IU East will begin to also offer test-optional scholarships with the high school graduating Class of 2021.

Molly Vanderpool, executive director of Recruitment & Transitions and Admissions at IU East, said test scores are only one factor to consider during the application for enrollment. The university considers a variety of academic factors.

The new test-optional scholarships are additions to IU East’s admission-based scholarships, which do not require a separate application and are automatically offered if an applicant meets the specified academic criteria, Vanderpool added.

“The addition of the test-optional scholarships will make a difference for many high school students who have decided to pursue a four-year degree,” Vanderpool said. “We are excited to offer test-optional scholarships for students who qualify.”

There are two categories for test-optional scholarships incoming students may qualify for when they enroll at IU East.

The IU East Academic Excellence Scholarship will award $6,000 to qualifying students, at $1,500 annually over four years. Incoming freshmen students admitted by February 15, 2021, who have a cumulative high school GPA of 3.5 to 4.0, may be eligible for this scholarship.

Students who qualify for the IU East Success Scholarship will receive $4,000, at $1,000 annually over four years. Students admitted by February 15, 2021, who have a cumulative high school GPA of 3.25 to 3.49, may be eligible for this scholarship.

Students who receive either test optional scholarship must attend full time and maintain at least a 2.75 IU cumulative GPA. Taking the SAT and/or ACT is not necessary to receive either scholarship.

Research shows that a student’s high school GPA and standardized test scores are the best predictors of academic success in college.

For some students, however, a standardized test score may not show all that a student is capable of and tell the full story of his or her potential.

Additionally, junior and senior high school students may not have been unable to take standardized tests due to COVID-19.

The test-optional policy allows students to continue their plans for a degree in higher education by allowing application for enrollment.

For more information on enrollment, visit the IU East Office of Admissions at iue.edu/admissions.