Since 1983, the Ball State University Alumni Association has awarded 1,581 students with nearly $3 million in scholarship funding as part of the Legacy Scholarship. For the academic year 2021-2022, 90 $2,500 scholarships were awarded. Applications for the Legacy Scholarship are currently being accepted until February 4. The Alumni Council Scholarship Committee meets in March to select recipients. Eligible students can click here to apply.

Alumni Association Legacy Scholarships are awarded to selected in-state freshmen and currently-enrolled students who are children or grandchildren of alumni of Ball State University. The scholarships are one-time, nonrenewable awards. Recipients must demonstrate academic success and achievement to receive this scholarship and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher to remain eligible for the award.

Indiana BMV check box for the Ball State license plateThe Legacy Scholarship is entirely funded by Indiana residents the purchase a Ball State license plate at their local Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Over the past 40 years, more than 86,000 plates have been purchased to fund the Legacy Scholarship program. Motorists pay an extra $40 for the specialty plate, with the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles forwarding  $25 to the University, along with a record of each giver. This small gift has a resounding impact on students and their success.

To ensure you receive a gift receipt, check the box illustrated here when registering your vehicle for gift credit when you apply and receive a tax credit for your support.


Lexi Leisure and her family at HomecomingLexi Leisure, ’23, is a second-generation Cardinal and Legacy Scholarship recipient whose mother and uncle attended Ball State from 1988 to 1996.

“My mom was a big influence and super big supporter; she’s always bled Cardinal and white,” says Lexi, an Elementary Education Major.


Do you live out of state and still want to support future generations of Cardinals? Check out the following chapter-specific scholarships that can use your help: