Higher Education
At least 70% of Hoosier graduates from two-and four-year institutions stay in Indiana. State financial aid recipients are more likely to stay in the state after graduation; at least 75% remain in Indiana.
Next Level Jobs Workforce Ready Grant has allowed over 20,000 Hoosiers complete a certificate in a high-demand job field.
We have eight outreach regions throughout the state and coordinators who can provide support and information on state financial aid and college readiness.
Connect employees to short-term training
The Next Level Jobs Workforce Ready Grant covers more than 125 high-value certificate programs offered in five job fields aligned with Indiana’s economy.
These certificates fall within the categories of Advanced Manufacturing, Building & Construction, Health & Life Sciences, IT & Business Services, and Transportation & Logistics.
Indiana Commission for Higher Education Commissioner, Chris Lowery
Help employees obtain their degree
You Can. Go Back. is a statewide campaign that aims to help Hoosier adults with some college experience but no degree finish what they started. It is possible with the help of the Adult Student Grant offered on a first come, first serve basis for qualifying students.
Adult Student Grant is designed to meet the unique needs of working adults starting or completing an associate degree, bachelor's degree or certificate by providing a $2,000 grant that may be used toward tuition and fees. This allows students to be part-time as long as they’re enrolled in at least six credit hours per academic term.
The Frank O’Bannon Grant, which includes the Higher Education Award and the Freedom of Choice Award, is Indiana’s primary need-based financial aid program. The grant is designed to provide access for Hoosier students to attend eligible public, private, and proprietary postsecondary institutions.
Eligibility for the grant is based on financial need as determined by the FAFSA, which must be filed by April 15 to begin using that fall semester. The grant may be used toward tuition and regularly assessed fees.
Grow your own talent
Employment Aid Readiness Network (EARN) Indiana
Employers offering approved internships for students may receive state matching funds by hiring students, eligible to receive state financial aid, for a resume-building, experiential, paid internship. These funds can pay up to 50% of the students’ internship wages.
Students who are Indiana residents and have not earned a bachelor’s degree are eligible to participate in this program. Priority is given to students with financial need based.
Financially eligible students in 7th or 8th grade are able to enroll in the 21st Century Scholarship program.
Upon graduation and completion of scholarship requirements, 21st Century Scholars receive up to full tuition and mandatory fees at Indiana colleges and universities.
College Scholar Success Program
Thousands of college 21st Century Scholars each year will now be required to take intention steps in career preparation like job shadowing, internships, and informational interviews.
In 2012, Indiana set a goal that 60% of working-age Hoosiers will have a quality college degree or credential by the year 2025. The CHE facilitates the state’s progress by providing actionable and meaningful statistics on postsecondary education outcomes.
- College Readiness and Early College Credit
- College Enrollment and Completion
- College Equity and Achievement Gaps
- College Value
Success Stories
“In getting the most out of an internship, it’s not just having the internship on your resume, or earning the course credit. It’s about having the experience.”
-Kameron Utter
Kameron Utter was seeking a paid internship for the summer before his senior year of college and as a psychology major, he was having a hard time finding a good fit. None of the psychology internships paid.
He took a leap and accepted an internship at Quest Safety Products. It was the company’s first time offering an internship and Utter Qualified for the State’s Employment Aid Readiness Network (EARN) program, which provided the company with 50 percent matching funds for his internship.
"My graduation day was the most rewarding day for me... Don’t think it 's too late. Take the first step. You can achieve your dreams.”
-Peggy Bulanda
Enrolled in a nursing program and achieved her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse with the help of Indiana’s Next Level Jobs program
Indiana Department of Workforce Development