The Program
The Twenty-first Century Scholars Program began in 1990 as Indiana's way of raising the educational aspirations of low- and moderate-income families. The program aims to ensure that all Indiana families can afford a college education for their children.
Income-eligible 7th and 8th graders who enroll in the program and fulfill a pledge of good citizenship to the state are guaranteed the cost of up to four years of undergraduate tuition* 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 a public institution. If the student attends a participating proprietary school, the state will award a tuition scholarship equal to that of Ivy Tech Community College.
In 1995, the first group of Scholars headed to college - with the continued support of the Governor and the Indiana General Assembly.
*The scholarship amount may be reduced depending on the availability of funds and the availability of the student’s family to contribute to college.
The Goals
The Twenty-first Century Scholars Program is established to do the following:
- Reduce the number of students who withdraw from high school before graduation.
- Increase the number of students who are prepared to enter the workforce upon graduation.
- Increase the number of students entering postsecondary educational institutions in Indiana.
- Encourage eligible students to attend postsecondary educational institutions in Indiana by reducing the financial burden on the eligible students and their families.
- Decrease drug and alcohol abuse by encouraging higher educational pursuits.
- Increase individual economic vitality.
- Improve the overall quality of life for many Indiana residents.
