Since its inception in the 1983-84 school year, the Alumni Association’s Legacy Scholarship Program has provided $2.8 million in financial assistance to nearly 1,500 Ball State students. To be eligible for the Legacy Scholarship, students must have a parent, grandparent, or legal guardian who call Ball State their alma mater.

Due to the pandemic, this year’s awards ceremony looked a little different than it has in years past, but was still sentimental and special, nonetheless. The celebration moved outdoors which created an opportunity for each recipient and their family to get their photo taken in front of the Beneficence statue. For the 2020-21 school year, 80 students received a $2,500 scholarship through this program.

The Legacy Scholarship is funded through the purchase of a Ball State specialty license plate. Motorists pay an extra $40 for the plate, with the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles sending back $25 to the University along with the names of purchasers. Indiana residents can also receive a tax credit for the gift by checking the box on the registration form to release personal information.

In the past year, this program raised $317,575 through 12,703 license plate purchases. Over the past 40 years, more than 86,000 plates have been purchased to fund the Legacy Scholar program.

One student impacted by the Legacy program is Marissa Combs, a freshman at Ball State.

“This scholarship means a lot to me because both of my parents are Ball State graduates, so Ball State is a big part of my family history,” Combs said.

Visit Benefits and Services to learn more about these and other programs. Ball State families wishing to apply for a Legacy Scholarship the next academic year should submit an application by Friday, February 5 at 5 p.m.