Schools and Youth Organizations Invited to Apply for Funds to Help Indianas 21st Century Scholars Succeed

The Indiana Commission for Higher Education is offering a new grant to schools and organizations that serve students enrolled in the 21st Century Scholars program—a state-funded, needs-based scholarship program that provides up to four years of full tuition scholarships to qualifying low-income students. The Scholar Success Grant is available to Indiana middle and high schools that serve grades 7-12, youth-serving organizations that provide services to 21st Century Scholars, and College Success Coalitions that are active in their local communities.

“The Commission is committed to increasing college readiness and success for all students—and especially Indiana’s 21st Century Scholars,” Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education Teresa Lubbers said. “These grants will help support the efforts of those schools and community partners doing the important work with our 21st Century Scholars every day to make sure they’re prepared to succeed in college.”

In recent years, Indiana has boosted GPA requirements and created supports designed to help more Scholars complete a college degree. For example, beginning with the high school graduating class of 2017, all Scholars must complete the Scholar Success Program, which includes annual activities Scholars must complete in high school—like visiting a campus and completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  These experiences guide Scholars as they plan their path to post-secondary education, giving them the skills necessary to be college ready and understand what it takes to pay for college. The Scholar Success Grant is designed to support schools and community partners in their efforts to help Scholars enroll in the program and meet all requirements to receive their scholarships upon graduation.

The Commission will award five grants to each region of the state. Each region will receive the following:

• One $1,000 grant to a school serving grades 7-8 focused on Scholar enrollment efforts.
• Two $1,000 grants to schools serving grades 9-12 focused on tracking Scholar’s Scholar Success Program Activities.
• Two $1,000 grants to youth-serving organizations that are focused on Scholar enrollment as well as tracking and facilitating Scholar Success Program activities.

The deadline to apply is February 15, 2016.

For more information about the Scholar Success Grant and to apply visit: http://www.in.gov/21stcenturyscholars/2780.htm.