Navigating the 21st Century Scholars Program in Indiana: A Comprehensive Guide

Indiana's 21st Century Scholars Program is a beacon of hope, offering income-eligible Hoosier students the opportunity to pursue higher education with up to four years of tuition assistance at participating Indiana colleges and universities. This initiative, launched in 1990 by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (CHE), aims to make college accessible to all, regardless of financial circumstances. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the program, its requirements, and the support systems available to scholars.

Eligibility and Enrollment

The 21st Century Scholars program opens its doors to students as early as 7th or 8th grade. To be eligible, students must meet specific income thresholds and commit to a pledge of good citizenship. This pledge includes graduating high school with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5. Enrollment is a crucial first step, and the deadline to apply is June 30th of the student's 8th-grade year. Applications can be submitted online or through school counselors.

Maintaining Scholarship Eligibility in College

For students already benefiting from the 21st Century Scholars Program, maintaining eligibility requires fulfilling specific annual requirements. These requirements ensure scholars are progressing towards their degree and remain committed to their education.

Financial Aid and FAFSA

FAFSA Filing: Each year, scholars must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and submit it before April 15th. This requirement ensures continued financial need assessment. Filing is not necessary in the senior/fourth year unless you plan to continue on in your education.

Academic Progress

Credit Hour Completion: Scholars must complete 30 credit hours each academic year. Credits can be earned across fall, spring, and summer semesters.
Full-Time Status: Maintain full-time status, which means enrolling in a minimum of 12 credits per semester.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP): Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). The three measures of Satisfactory Degree Progress (SAP) are:
- GPA: Maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0.
- Course Completion Rate: Complete at least 67% of all classes attempted. For first year students you'll have fewer classes attempted, meaning that it is easier to not be in good standing with SAP in your first few semesters.
- Program Length: Programs of study must be concluded within 150% of their published program length. For example, most bachelor's degrees take 4 years, or 8 fall/spring semesters, to complete. 150% of 8 semesters is 12 semesters. Thus, starting a seventh year still working on your bachelor's degree could cause issues.
Course Grades: Earn a minimum grade of D- or higher for each course.
College Scholar Success Program: For scholars who enrolled in the Fall of 2019 and after, you must complete the College Scholar Success Program.

Good Citizenship

Be a Good Citizen: Scholars are expected to maintain good citizenship both on and off campus.

Understanding Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is crucial for maintaining scholarship eligibility. It encompasses GPA, course completion rate, and program length. Failing to meet SAP standards can lead to loss of aid eligibility. Students facing extenuating circumstances may be eligible to file an appeal with their university's Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.

Utilizing College Credit

If you have college credit from AP tests, ACP, or dual credit courses, make sure to talk with your academic advisor and verify that all available credit is applied to your transcript.

Financial Coverage and Exclusions

The IU 21st Century Scholarship covers 100% tuition and mandatory fees (e.g., activity, repair and rehabilitation fee, transportation, technology, and health).

The IU 21st Century Scholarship does NOT cover summer tuition and mandatory fee, on-campus room/board, academic program or department fee, first-year orientation fee, fraternity/sorority fee (if applicable), "non-IU" study abroad program, and/or other miscellaneous fees associated with your department. However, you can utilize student loans to off set this cost.

Resources and Support Systems

ScholarTrack

ScholarTrack is an online service for students who have filed a FAFSA as residents of the state of Indiana.

The ScholarTrack site allows you to:

See any issues with your FAFSA that could prevent you from receiving state aid so that you can make necessary changes.
View your state grant award amount.
View your state grant history.
View your grant application, which includes information from your FAFSA, your diploma type, your 21st Century Scholar status, National Guard status, and school of choice.
Update your school of choice. Please make sure the school you are attending is listed as we will only send your grant information to that school.

Campus Support

Many Indiana colleges and universities offer specific support programs for 21st Century Scholars. These programs provide guidance on scholarship requirements, academic advising, tutoring, career services, and financial literacy.

For example, Indiana Tech offers a comprehensive network of campus-based support activities, academic services, and professional workshops to ensure scholars thrive.

Indiana University Bloomington (IUB)

At Indiana University Bloomington, we offer two programs where you can earn college credits at IU prior to enrollment: 1) IU Intensive First-Year Seminars (IFS) and 2) IU Advance College Project (ACP). The IU IFS is a two-week program typically between August 1 and August 15 where incoming IU 21st Century Scholars can enroll in college-level courses designed only for IU first-years. The IU IFS office provides full scholarships for all incoming IU 21st Century Scholars interested in partaking in the program. Alternatively, the IU ACP is a program for high school juniors and seniors interested in jumpstarting their college career during high school. Students take college-level courses at their high school taught by IU faculty members. To take advantage of this opportunity, please contact your high school’s guidance office.

21st Century Scholars are waived from the application fee. Be sure to complete your FAFSA by April 15th and include IUB. In total, Indiana University Bloomington offered 1,859 admits out of 3,739 applications from 21st Century Scholars in the Class of 2023 (IU University Institutional Research and Reporting (UIRR), 2019). Scholars denied admission to IUB are highly encouraged to apply for the IU Hoosier Link program where you can transfer the following academic year after one semester at Ivy Tech Bloomington.

NO. Your intended college major is a "non-factor" in your application to Indiana University Bloomington except for programs in the IU Jacobs School of Music (where an audition is required).

YES. 21st Century Scholars in high school can receive a fee waiver on the SAT/ACT examinations. Please contact your high school counselor to receive a fee waiver form. Scholars can receive a fee waiver on the SAT/ACT exams up to four times throughout their high school years.

Troubleshooting and Appeals

Credit Hour Deficiencies

According to Indiana Code Title 21-12-6-7, failure to satisfy the 30 credit hour requirement may remove you from receiving the Indiana 21 Century Scholarship the following academic year unless you have documentation of health/medical reason.

Appealing Loss of Scholarship

Students who lose their scholarship due to failing to meet requirements have the option to appeal to the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (CHE). The appeal process involves submitting an online application explaining the extenuating circumstances that led to the deficiency. However, approval is not guaranteed.

Additional Considerations

Summer Classes: The only option is to complete summer classes at an Indiana college of university. Please note that there is NO Indiana 21st Century Scholarship during the summer semester.
Final Term Enrollment: NO, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (CHE) will allow students in their final term to receive a portion of their award for less than full-time enrollment.
Consortium Agreements: Yes. You will need to complete a consortium agreement which is available from the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.
Repeating Courses: If a class is passed, but it needs to be repeated to achieve a required grade, do both attempts count toward the yearly number of credits needed? A student can retake a course once to achieve the required grade; If multiple attempts with passing grades can be used toward the yearly total, are there any limitations? A student can only take a course twice. Grades of D- or higher count as passing.
Petitions: Yes, A student must petition to the state if they are below credit hour count and/or GPA requirement.

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