21st Century Scholars

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 6th, 7th and 8th graders who enroll in the program and fulfill a pledge of good citizenship to the state are guaranteed the cost of four years of undergraduate college 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 Goals

• help more students continue their educations,
• reduce the high school dropout rate,
• prepare students for the workforce,
• decrease the use of drugs and alcohol among middle and high school students, and
• improve individual economic productivity and the quality of life for all Indiana residents.
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FAFSA
(Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

Deadlines
More Information about FAFSA

Federal Student Aid, an office of the U.S. Department of Education, ensures that all eligible individuals can benefit from federally funded financial assistance for education beyond high school. We consistently champion the promise of postsecondary education to all Americans —and its value to our society.

Federal Student Aid plays a central and essential role in supporting postsecondary education by providing money for college to eligible students and families. We partner with postsecondary schools, financial institutions and others to deliver services that help students and families who are paying for college.

Today, Federal Student Aid performs a range of critical functions that include, among others:

• Educating students and families on the process of obtaining aid;
• Processing millions of student financial aid applications each year;
• Disbursing billions of dollars in aid funds to students through schools;
• Enforcing financial aid rules and regulations;
• Servicing millions of student loan accounts, and securing repayment from borrowers who have defaulted on their loans; and
• Operating information technology systems and tools that manage billions in student aid dollars.

This is a complex, multifaceted mission that calls on a range of staff skills and demands coordination by all levels of management. Consequently, Federal Student Aid, a Performance-Based Organization (PBO), emphasizes tangible results and efficient performance, as well as the continuous improvement of the processes and systems that support our mission.
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Pell Grants

• A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid.
• The maximum Pell grant for the 2010-11 award year (July 1, 2010, to June 30, 2011) is $5,550.
• The amount depends on your financial need, costs to attend school, status as a full-time or part-time student, and plans to attend school for a full academic year or less.
• To apply, complete the FAFSA. (See above)

America's Debt Help Organization: Student Financial Aid

This source offers information for students and families about FAFSA, financial aid, how to get financial assistance for college when you have bad credit, interest rates for student loans, and more!

Click here for a Financial Aid Board Game!

Indiana Colleges!