The 21st Century Scholars program has been ensuring students from low-income families could access a college education for decades. The deadline for this year’s application is June 30.
The program began in 1990 and offers qualifying students up to four years of college tuition. To qualify, students must:
- Be an Indiana resident
- Be enrolled in 7th or 8th grade at an Indiana public or private school accredited by the Indiana Department of Education
- Be a US citizen or eligible non-citizen
- Be a member of a family that meets income eligibility guidelines
- Students in foster care do not need to meet the financial income requirement
Point two is important. Although this is a college scholarship, students must enroll in 7th or 8th grade. The only students allowed to enroll in high school are students who are in foster care in high school. After enrolling in 7th or 8th grade, students must meet additional requirements in high school. In high school students must:
- Graduate with at least a Core 40 diploma
- Complete the Scholar Success Program
- Have at least a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Choose not to use illegal drugs or alcohol or commit a crime
- Apply to an eligible Indiana college senior year
- Apply for financial aid on time
To keep the scholarship in college, students must:
- Earn at least 30 credits each school year
- Complete the FAFSA by April 15
- Complete the College Scholar Success Program each year of college
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress
Click here to learn more about the program.