21st Century Scholars
Indiana’s 21st Century Scholars program is an early-college promise program designed to make college more affordable for students.
What is the 21st Century Scholarship?
The 21st Century Scholarship is an opportunity for students to afford college in Indiana. The 21st Century Scholarship pays up to 100% of tuition at public colleges in Indiana and part of the tuition at private or independent colleges. Learn more about the schools, colleges and universities that accept the 21st Century Scholarship.
The scholarship does not cover the cost of books, room and board, parking fees, lab fees or any other fees that are not assessed to all students.
Who is eligible?
Be an Indiana resident
Be automatically enrolled or apply in 7th or 8th grade
Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
Be a member of a family that meets income eligibility guidelines
21st Century Scholars Automatic Enrollment
After the passage of House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1449-2023, current 7th and 8th grade Hoosier students who are financially eligible for Free and Reduced Price Lunch will be automatically enrolled in the 21st Century Scholars Program. Parents and guardians of eligible students no longer need to complete an application for their students to participate.
Students who are automatically enrolled in the 21st Century Scholars program must meet all requirements to obtain the scholarship upon graduation
Stay on Track with ScholarTrack
How do I apply?
The 21st Century Scholars application opens each year on October 1.
Please do not submit an application to the program until you have confirmed that your student has not been automatically enrolled.
Steps to apply include:
- Visit ScholarTrack.in.gov
- Click “Register” in the upper right-hand corner
- Create a parent account – an email address is required
- Click on “My Account” to apply for the 21st Century Scholars program
You will receive an email with an application summary and program enrollment application after the application is recieved.
Can I still apply in high school or college?
Students must be automatically enrolled in or apply to the 21st Century Scholars program by June 30 of the end of their 8th-grade year. The only exception is that students in foster care may enroll in high school. Indiana offers many other financial aid programs if students miss the enrollment deadline.
21st Century Scholars Resources
Available resources include:
Visit our full Resources page for additional resources on mental health, educator pathways and more!
ScholarTrack
ScholarTrack is the one-stop shop for Hoosiers’ state financial aid needs. ScholarTrack guides students and families through the process of planning for, applying to and maintaining their financial aid – beginning as early as middle school and continuing through college completion.
ScholarTrack is required to track the completion of the Scholar Success Program.
21st Century Scholarship Qualifications
1. Perform academically
2. Complete the Scholar Success Program and do not violate the Scholar Pledge
3. Earn your high school diploma
- Core 40
- Core 40 with Academic Honors
- Core 40 with Technical Honors
- International Baccalaureate
4. College requirements
To maintain your 21st Century Scholarship after enrolling in college, you must do the following each year: earn at least 30 credits each academic year, file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by Indiana’s April 15 deadline and maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) as determined by your college.
The Scholar Pledge
Each 21st Century Scholar must pledge the following by signing their name to commit to the program’s requirements.
I pledge to graduate with a minimum of a Core 40 diploma from a state-accredited Indiana high school. I will complete the Scholar Success Program in high school and in college that helps me stay on track for college and career success. I will achieve a cumulative high school GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. I will not use illegal drugs or alcohol or commit a crime or delinquent act. I will apply for admission to an eligible Indiana college my senior year and apply on time for student financial aid. As a college student, I will complete at least 30 credit hours each year to stay on track toward earning my degree on time. I aim to succeed.
How do I get started?
- Plan should be updated annually to keep students on track for high school graduation and college admission.
- Includes job shadowing, internship, part-time employment, interviewing a professional or related experience linked to a student’s career aspirations.
- Includes any additional scholarship opportunities beyond the 21st Century Scholarship.
Meet our 21st Century Scholar Alumni
I became a college graduate breaking the cycle of three generations of single mother dropouts in my family. I was accepted to IUPUI for the IU School of Social Work. I graduated in June 2021. Determined to be an example to my two young sons, I began to teach them the value of an education and giving back to the community. I put back the sense of urgency and importance of education back into my home. I also inspired my husband and mother to return to school. None of this would have been possible without the support of 21st Century Scholars. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to show my family I could do it.
The opportunities that I was afforded being a 21st Century scholar we endless. As a first-generation college student of an immigrant family, 21st Century scholar program allowed me the opportunity to live and realize the American dream. I will forever be thankful for the program.
The 21st century scholar program made it possible for me to attend college without fear of debt coming out. This was pivotal as it made it possible for me to make it through my first year out of college when I wasn't making much. I ended up pivoting my career and coming back to grad school which is how I've gotten to where I am now. 21st Century was a blessing to my career path.
The opportunity to be a 21st Century Scholar is something I will always be grateful for. The program alleviated a huge portion of the financial stress associated with attaining a college education It is amazing the doors this program opens for so many Hoosiers.
Without the 21st Century Scholars program, my life could have had a completely different trajectory. This program allowed me to pursue my degree without the worry of falling into immense debt. The resources that were available to me at Purdue thanks to 21st Century were incredible, and made me feel as though I was a part of this community that completely understood and supported me.
Our 21st Century Scholars Alumni are making a difference!
Frequently Asked Questions
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– Graduate from a state-accredited Indiana high school.
– Graduate from high school with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
– Earn at least a Core 40 diploma.
– Complete all 12 high school Scholar Success Program requirements and track them in ScholarTrack by high school graduation.
– Apply to and be admitted to an eligible Indiana college, university or proprietary school as a high school senior.
– Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by April 15 as a high school senior and each year thereafter until college graduation.
– Complete at least 30 credit hours each year of college.
– Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards established by your college.
– Maintain Indiana residency.
– Do not do drugs, commit a crime or delinquent act or consume alcohol before reaching the legal drinking age.
You must receive notifications and updates from the 21st Century Scholars program to ensure you’re on track to complete your requirements in high school and college. Scholars can update their information in their ScholarTrack account at ScholarTrack.IN.gov.
The state will complete a financial means test prior to your first year of college enrollment to determine how much state aid you are eligible to receive.
To maintain the scholarship, Scholars must be members of households that meet the Indiana Choice Scholarship eligibility requirements and be enrolled in the 21st Century Scholarship. This amount changes for each graduating class
For more information, check out the corresponding one-pager for each graduating class in the materials library.
Yes. A Scholar student and/or his or her parent must report potential pledge violations to the program as soon as they become aware of the violation. Learn more about pledge violations here.
Potential pledge violations should be reported to Scholars@che.IN.gov or to: Indiana Commission for Higher Education ATTN: Financial Aid Support Center 101 West Ohio, Suite 300 Indianapolis, IN 46204.
