21st Century Scholars

The Twenty-first Century Scholars Program was created to help low and middle income Indiana families meet the ever-increasing cost of a college education. To be eligible for the program, a student must be in the 7th or 8th grade and enrolled in an Indiana Public School or a private school recognized by the Indiana Department of Education. (Home schooled student are not eligible for the program.) In addition, a student must meet household income guidelines identical to the federal free and reduced lunch program. Student who meet this criteria take a pledge to graduate from an accredited Indiana High School, meet specific GPA requirements, stay away from illegal drugs and alcohol, not commit a crime, and apply to and Indiana University or college and meet certain financial aid application deadlines. Students who enroll in the program, honor the pledge, and meet all other requirements of the program can receive up to 8 semesters of tuition assistance at an eligible Indiana College or proprietary school.

The State of Indiana’s Twenty-first Century Scholars Program began more than 20 years ago under then governor Evan Bayh. Governor Bayh had been inspired by the story of Eugene Lang, a successful New York businessman who had promised to pay for the college education of an entire 6th grade class at his grammar school alma mater in East Harlem, if they made the commitment to graduate from high school. Moved by this story, Governor Bayh worked with the state legislature to create and launch the 21st Century scholars Program in the fall 1990. The original law set the eligibility requirements for the program and provided a promise from the state to pay for four years of in-state tuition for eligible Scholars who honored a pledge good citizenship. The main purpose of the 21st Century Scholarship Program was to help Indiana families meet the ever-increasing cost of a college education, and provide junior high and high school students with an extra incentive to perform well academically and be responsible students and citizens. But the program was created with the “If you build it, they will come” model in mind. In other words, it was assumed that eligible students would simply sign up to be scholars on their own, with little outside guidance or encouragement. But initially, enrollment in the program was very low. So the Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education approached Charlie Nelms, who was then the Chancellor of the Indiana University East Campus, and Philip Seabrook, who was the director of the Upward Bound Program on the IU Bloomington campus, to see if they could help develop a support program that would actively recruit eligible students into the 21st Century Scholars Program and provide support to keep them on track for college. Phillip Seabrook become the first state Director of the 21st Century Scholars Program and with seed money from the Lilly Endowment, the system of regional 21st Century Scholar Support sites was created. Today, Mr. Seabrook has come back to IU, where he is an Assistant Vice President with the Office the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Multicultural Affairs (or DEMA). And one of his many duties includes overseeing the regional 21st Century Scholars Office based at IU. Over the years, the 21st Century Scholars Program has grown to include 14 regional support sites throughout the state. And currently; there are 49 participating colleges and universities who accept Scholars, representing 90 different campuses. The program has had a huge impact on the state, and today there are literally thousands of people who have college degrees, thanks to the support of the 21st Century Scholars Program, and who are working in every kind of job imaginable. The city planner for the town of New Castle is a scholar, as is the principle of the Jeffersonville elementary school. There is a Scholar working as a forensics expert with the Indiana State Police and as a lawyer for one the top lobbying firms in Washington D.C. There are also scholars working as professionals on college campuses across the state, including one in the Office of Student Financial Assistance and another in the Groups program right here at IU Bloomington. Since the program began, 3,471 Scholars have called IU Bloomington home. And thanks in large part to the 21st Century Scholarship Covenant Program, over 1,800 Scholars the Bloomington Campus of Indiana University Home. Currently, there are Scholars enrolled in every school on campus, working on degrees in virtually every major offered. Scholars make up significant percentages of the Groups Program and the Hudson & Holland Scholars Program within DEMA, and currently there are 93 Hutton Honors Scholars who are also 21st Century Scholars.

Eligible students can apply during their 7th or 8th grade year of junior high. Paper applications will be made available through their school’s guidance office, or students and their parents/guardians can apply online by going to the 21st Century Scholar Program website at www.scholars.in.gov. Typically, the application period runs from the last week of August until June 30 of each school year. Students, who are not eligible during their 7th grade year, can reapply during their 8th grade year. The last day for students to submit an application for the program is June 30 following the completion of their 8th grade year. High school students are not eligible for the program with the exception of students in the foster care system. Currently, there are fourteen 21st Century Scholar Regional Support Sites, that are charged with recruiting eligible 7th and 8th grade 21st Century Scholars in to the program, and meeting with them in high school to help keep them on track for college. For more information about application procedures, please contact your regional site.

Students who enroll successfully in the 21st Century Scholars Program and honor their pledge can receive up to four years of college tuition at any participating public college or university in Indiana. If you attend a private or an independent institution, the state will award an amount comparable to that of a public institution. If you attend a participating proprietary (private career) school, the state will award a tuition scholarship equal to that of Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana. Currently, tuition and fees for the fall 2011 and spring 2012 term at Bloomington Campus of Indiana University are $9,524. Tuition and mandatory fees for Ivy Tech for the same time period are $3,3974. In addition, many participating colleges and universities offer special incentives for 21st Century Scholars who attend their institution. These incentives can range from additional grant money to help cover educational expenses outside tuition (such as books and room and board expenses) to application and housing fee waivers. The 21st Century Scholarship Covenant program at IU Bloomington, will pay for books, room and board and other expenses for eligible 21st Century Scholars who show financial need. Combined, the 21st Century Scholarship, the 21st Century Scholarship Covenant, along with other need-based grants can be worth as much as $22,150 for 21st Century Scholars enrolled as full time students on the Bloomington Campus. Many colleges and universities also have offices and programming to support 21st Century Scholars once they are on campus. For a PDF list of 21st Century Scholar incentives and programs, which was compiled by the state 21st Century Scholars Office, go to http://www.in.gov/ssaci/files/ResourceBook.pdf.pdf.

Throughout the state there are fourteen Regional 21st Century Scholar Support sites that are charged with recruiting eligible seventh and eighth grade students into the program and supporting them once they are enrolled in high school. Each Regional Support site has a home territory comprised of various counties that it serves. Below is a listing of the support, programs, and services available to 21st Century Scholars and their families through the regional support sites.

Each regional site is asked to host 21st Century Scholar Pledge Ceremonies.

Each Regional Office employs a 21st Century Scholar Student Coordinator, who is charged with recruiting eligible students into the program while they are in junior high, and meeting with them once they are enrolled in high school to help keep them on track for college. During Scholars junior year, they will have small group or individual meetings with their student coordinator to complete junior intensives. The purpose of these meetings is to inform Scholars about the college admissions process. Topics include ACT and SAT preparation and registration, college application procedures and deadlines, and staying on track to receive your 21st Century scholarship.

During their senior year, scholars will meet with their student coordinator to complete senior exit interviews. The purpose of the senior exit is to make sure that Scholars understand what they must do during their final year to make sure they enroll in college and maintain eligibility to receive their 21st Century Scholarship. During your senior exit, your student coordinator will provide you with an affirmation form, which you must complete and sign with a parent in order to receive your Scholarship. By doing this, you affirm that you honored your 21st Century Scholar Pledge. In addition, the student coordinator will talk about important deadlines and procedures for completing the FASFA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). All 21st Century Scholars must complete the FASFA by March 10 of their senior year in high school to maintain eligibility to receive their 21st Century Scholarship.