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Twenty-First Century Scholarship

This is a special scholarship program for Indiana undergraduate students who are income-eligible in 7th or 8th grade and who enroll in the program by the end of their 8th grade year.  Students must fulfill a pledge of good citizenship to the state and in return are guaranteed up to the cost of four years of undergraduate college tuition and mandatory fees at any participating public college or university in Indiana.  If the student attends a private institution, the state will award an amount comparable to that of the public institution.  To be eligible for the Twenty-first Century Scholars Program, students must:

  • Be a resident of Indiana as an applicant and award recipient (determined by residency of parent/legal guardian) and be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.

  • Be enrolled in 7th or 8th grad at a charter school, freeway school or other Indiana school recognized by the Indiana Department of Education.

  • Class of 2016, graduate with a diploma (Core 40 recommended), from a high school recognized by the Indiana Department of Education (GED and home school programs are excluded) with a cumulative GPA of a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.

  • Starting with the Class of 2017, must graduate with at least a Core 40 diploma from a high school recognized by the Indiana Department of Education (GED and home school programs are excluded) with a cumulative GPA of a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.

  • Eligibility for enrollment will be based on household income or placement in foster care.

  • Applications can be found online at www.scholars.in.gov

  • Starting with the Class of 2017 students must complete the Scholar Success Program.   The program helps students plan, prepare and pay for college.  High school Scholars must complete three activities online each year.

  • Students that enrolled as a Scholar AFTER 6-30-2011 will be means tested financially.  Means testing will be based on the Scholar’s Expected Family contribution (EFC) that will be evaluated annually based on information provided on the student’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  Scholars who do not demonstrate financial need will receive a one-time award of up to $2,500 if the student has not previously received the 21st Century Scholarship.

  • A Scholar must enroll as a full-time student at an eligible Indiana higher education institution within one year of high school graduation.

  • Scholarship funds must be used within eight (8) years from the time a student first activates the 21st Century Scholarship.  Note that the total scholarship amount is limited to the equivalent of four years (eight semesters) of full-time college attendance.

  • As a Scholar in college, 21st Century Scholars must complete at least 30 credits each academic year in order to receive their full scholarship award.



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