Thousands of high school and middle school students qualify for Indiana's college programs.
(Lauren Chapman/IPB News)
Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education Chris Lowery wants more Hoosiers to earn a degree or credential after high school.
Thousands of students qualify for aid this year. The commission is working directly with high schoolers, colleges and even middle schoolers to boost college enrollment. Lowery wants Indiana to rank top 10 for earning college degrees in the U.S. The Commission for Higher Education is trying to make the process easier and more affordable.
“All of these things are really geared toward helping make college more accessible, more affordable,” Lowery said. “We believe we're seeing early indicators last year and this year of increases in enrollment.”
What high school and middle school families should watch out for
The Commission for Higher Education created new programs to appeal directly to younger students. Families might find more information in their mailboxes.
Indiana recently expanded the 21st Century Scholars Program. It provides need-based financial aid to Indiana students attending state and some private colleges. The scholarship covers up to 100 percent of tuition costs for students who typically earn free and reduced lunch.
Eligible eighth graders are automatically enrolled, but students must take a few steps to receive the scholarship. Lowery called it a “good scholar and good student checklist.” This fall, the state enrolled more than 50,000 students.
“Maintaining a minimum of 2.5 GPA, preparing in other ways for college, completing the FAFSA when that comes about and those types of things,” Lowery said. “So that when the student graduates from high school, she or he will be ready to go after it.”
Students and families can find more information online.
About 67,000 high school seniors should receive information on which Indiana colleges they qualify for, Lowery said. Indiana’s Pre-Admissions program matches students to colleges based on SAT scores, ACT scores and GPA. Letters go out next week, Lowery said.
The average student matched to 24 colleges and universities.
“What's just fascinating is we started to hear a lot from parents and students and community leaders saying we had no idea even some of these colleges and universities were here in Indiana,” Lowery said.
It’s a way to make the path from high school to college easier, Lowery said, by showing students their options.
“It's helping make it more accessible to families,” Lowery said.
Complete the first year of college in high school
High school students can earn 30 credit-hours — roughly the first year of college — through Indiana College Core classes.
The credits are guaranteed to transfer to public colleges, helping students meet general education requirements. Lowery said students have a say in which classes they take, but all courses should be college-level. That includes Advanced Placement, dual-credit and dual enrollment.
Advanced Placement gives students a chance to earn college credit while in high school through a standardized test. Dual-credit allows students to earn high school and college credits at the same time for one class. Dual enrollment means high school students also take classes at a college.
Students must keep at least a 2.0 GPA and complete all 30 hours. The classes are offered at little to no cost.
Lowery said more high schools than ever offer all of the College Core classes. This fall 275 high schools are offering College Core classes. In 2022, 84 high schools offered the classes.
“We, as an agency, said, ‘Look, let's work with the Department of Education, with local high schools, with our partners, to get that offered in high schools,’” Lowery said. “Because it's such a great deal. Students and families can save money. They can save time.”
Hoosier families can learn more about the program online.
This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Commissioner Chris Lowery's name.
Aubrey is our higher education reporter and a Report For America corps member. Contact her at aubmwrig@iu.edu or follow her on X @aubreymwright.
