IU Bloomington To Receive Part Of $1.8M Award

Last updated on Friday, March 13, 2015

(UNDATED) - The Indiana Commission for Higher Education announced that 12 Indiana colleges will receive a portion of $1.8 million to fund the development or expansion of programs that help more low-income students graduate from college.

Specifically, the money will fund programs that support students who receive state financial aid for college through either the 21st Century Scholars or Frank O'Bannon Scholars program--a diverse group of low-income students, many who are the first in their families to attend college.

"Indiana has shifted its focus from making sure more students enroll in college to making sure students graduate with a degree that prepares them for a good job and life," Commissioner for Higher Education Teresa Lubbers said. "We're pleased to provide this financial assistance for colleges that are committed to supporting students who need it most, when they need it most: early in their college experience."

Selected colleges committed to provide the following services for all state financial aid recipients:
Establish a program to help first-year students transition to college, such as first-year seminars or summer bridge programs.
Help new students acclimate to their college community with additional academic and social support, including proactive advising and mentoring.
Give first-year students career development experiences aligned to their area of study, such as career interest assessments and internships.
Provide financial literacy training to help first-year students understand their options and the short- and long-term consequences of their fiscal decisions.

12 Colleges Receiving Funds to Support Student Graduation:

Calumet College of St. Joseph - $115,776
Indiana State University - $127,264
Indiana University Bloomington - $173,828
Indiana University East - $54,508
Indiana University Kokomo - $134,052
Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis - $206,573
Indiana University South Bend - $124,657
Indiana University South East - $212,487
Ivy Tech - $179,296
Purdue University Northwest - $209,449
Valparaiso University - $149,109
Wabash College - $143,090

The $1.8 million used to support these colleges comes from Indiana's College Access Challenge Grant, a federally funded grant program designed to increase the number of low income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in post-secondary education.

The College Access Challenge Grant also helps support Indiana's College Success Coalitions, student-focused awareness campaigns and mentoring programs--all focused on achieving ICHE's goal for 60 percent of all Hoosiers to have a quality degree or credential by 2025.

21st Century Scholars

Indiana's 21st Century Scholars is a needs- and performance-based program that provides students the opportunity to earn up to a four-year scholarship at an Indiana college or university. Hoosier students who meet income criteria can enroll during their 7th- or 8th-grade year of middle school. Students commit to maintaining academic success, remaining drug and alcohol free, and completing college-preparation activities. Click here to learn more and apply.

Frank O'Bannon Grant Program

The Frank O'Bannon grants, targeted to tuition and regularly assessed fees, are "need-based" and do not require repayment. The Indiana General Assembly appropriates money for the program. Due to variations in appropriations, the number of filers and the "need" of the filer base, the dollar value of state grants will vary from year to year. Learn more about the grants here.

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