Deadline Approaches For 21st Century Scholars Enrollment

Currently, over 100,000 Hoosier students – seventh grade through college – are enrolled in the 21st Century Scholars program.

(Indianapolis, Ind.) - Indiana seventh and eighth grade students still have time to apply for the 21st Century Scholars program by the 2018 deadline of Saturday, June 30. The statewide financial aid program provides up to four years of undergraduate tuition and fees for eligible low-income students at any participating college or university in Indiana.

Currently, over 100,000 Hoosier students – seventh grade through college – are enrolled in the 21st Century Scholars program. Since its creation in 1990, the program has helped over 40,000 low-income Hoosier students afford college and earn degrees.

“The 21st Century Scholars program represents a significant ongoing commitment to ensure that every Hoosier student has access to the opportunities a college degree provides,” said Indiana Commissioner of Higher Education Teresa Lubbers.

The Indiana Commission for Higher Education recently released its 2018 College Readiness Report, which found that 82 percent of Scholars go directly to college after completing high school, compared to only 61 percent of non-Scholars. Additionally, 21st Century Scholars are outperforming other low-income students in college.

“We have seen the success of the 21st Century Scholars program in lifting college aspirations and preparing more students for college completion,” said Lubbers. “We need to make certain that all eligible students take advantage of this opportunity and meet the enrollment deadline.”

To qualify for the scholarship, Hoosier students must apply during their seventh or eighth grade year of middle school. Throughout high school, Scholars are expected to maintain academic success by earning a 2.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale, remain drug and alcohol free, and complete a series of college-preparation activities called the Scholars Success Program. June 30, 2018 is also the deadline for recently graduated Scholars to complete their Scholar Success Program requirements before college.

Learn more about the 21st Century Scholars program and enroll online at www.Scholars.in.gov/enroll.