Students qualify for honors by meeting the following standards of hours carried and of grade point average for either one of the two regular semesters or the combined summer sessions preceding Founders Day.

A student on the Bloomington campus must have completed 12 credit hours either in a regular semester or within the summer sessions. Courses with grades of Incomplete and Withdrawal are excluded in determining the hours completed. A student must also achieve a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

Students in the Overseas Study Program must have been enrolled in 24 or more credit hours in the program’s past academic year or 12 or more credit hours in semester programs during that year, and must have achieved a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

The grade point system used assigns 4 points for each grade of A+ and A, 3.7 for A–, 3.3 for B+, 3.0 for B, 2.7 for B–, 2.3 for C+, 2.0 for C, 1.7 for C–, 1.3 for D+, 1.0 for D, 0.7 for D–, and none for F, I, W, P, or S.

Straight A students, those with a grade point average of 4.0, head the honor lists. All other honor students (except those in the University Division and the Overseas Study Program, who are listed in alphabetical order) are listed by class standing within their school or division.

Straight-A students and honors students in every undergraduate school and division of the university are recognized at the Founders Day ceremony.

For more information go to the Office of the Registrar's Founders Day Honor List page.

Herman B Wells Senior Recognition Award

This award recognizes excellence in academic growth, achievement, leadership, and participation in campus activities. It is named for Indiana University’s eleventh president and university chancellor.

Created in 1961 by the Indiana Memorial Union Board of Directors, the Herman B Wells Senior Recognition Award honors and encourages academic excellence and the efforts of a student who has established himself or herself as a leader within the IU community. Wells' spirit is a rich treasure embedded deep in the foundations of this university. Recipients of this award exemplify that spirit.

A plaque will be given to the recipient to commemorate this honor, and his or her name will be placed on a permanently displayed plaque in the Indiana Memorial Union. Eligible students will be seniors and will have an outstanding academic record, along with a strong commitment to leadership and service on campus. The award will be announced at the annual Founders Day ceremony.

For more information, visit the Indiana University Alumni Association's Senior Recognition Awards page

Elvis J. Stahr Distinguished Senior Awards

Established in 1966 by Elvis J. Stahr, twelfth president of Indiana University, this award honors seniors who have excelled academically while serving as active student leaders. Three to five seniors are selected who have distinguished themselves as outstanding student leaders. The recipients are honored based upon achievement and excellence in academic growth and leadership and contribution to the campus community.

A plaque will be given to the recipients to commemorate this honor, and their names will be placed on a permanently displayed plaque in the Indiana Memorial Union. Eligible students will be seniors and will have an outstanding commitment to leadership and service on campus, along with a strong academic record.

For more information, visit the Indiana University Alumni Association's Senior Recognition Awards page

National and International Undergraduate Awards

For more information on each of the awards, click on the link below.

Churchill Scholarship

Marshall Scholarship

George Mitchell Scholarship

Rhodes Scholarship

Harry S. Truman Scholarship