High School

High School

High school is an exciting time in your life; you’ll want to relax, have fun and make the most of it while still setting aside time to prepare for college. Every year, you’ll have specific Scholar Success Program activities you’ll need to complete in order to earn the 21st Century Scholarship.

Below, you’ll see the requirements for each year. Remember to track your progress in ScholarTrack!

9th Grade

As a 9th-grader, you’re probably at a brand new school, making new friends and starting new experiences. There are three Scholar Success Programs you must complete this year to help you stay on track for success. After you complete these activities, log into your ScholarTrack account to track your completion.

SCHOLAR SUCCESS PROGRAM ACTIVITIES


In 9th grade, you must create a high school Graduation Plan. It lists what courses, tests and other steps you need to complete in high school so you have a clear path to graduation, college and beyond. You’ll update your Graduation Plan each year as your plans for after high school continue to develop.

Create your plan easily by setting up an account at Indiana Career Explorer. You can also download a printable PDF version to complete it on paper.

Once you’ve finished, log in to ScholarTrack and answer a few questions to complete the requirement.


Extracurricular activities at school are a great way to complete this requirement and to meet students with similar interests. You can also get involved in a variety of service activities in your community, such as through church, a local youth organization or community center.

Once you’ve been participating in your chosen activity for a while, login to ScholarTrack and answer a few questions to complete the requirement.


Watch this 10 minute video, then log into ScholarTrack and answer a few questions to complete the requirement.

GRADE 9 SCHOLAR SUCCESS GUIDE

Download a PDF of the Grade 9 Scholar Success Guide here.

10th Grade

As a 10th-grader, you’re starting to settle in. You’re getting the hang of homework and your favorite lunch crew. There are three Scholar Success Programs you must complete this year to help you stay on track for success. After you complete these activities, log into your ScholarTrack account to track your completion.

SCHOLAR SUCCESS PROGRAM ACTIVITIES


A Career Interest Assessment is a tool that asks you a series of questions to help identify careers that align with your interests and goals. The easiest way to complete this requirement is to access the Indiana Career Explorer account you created when you started your Graduation Plan as a freshman. If you’ve forgotten your username or password, follow the steps to retrieve your login information. If it’s your first time using the website, follow the instructions to register as a new user.

Once you’re logged in, three assessments are available. To complete this requirement, you should take the assessment labeled “Career Interests Assessment.” You’re encouraged to complete all three questionnaires to get a better idea of what interests you, what you do well and what’s important to you in a career.

Once you’ve finished, log in to ScholarTrack and answer a few questions to complete the requirement.


Real-world experience is a great way to learn about responsibility, time management, and how to act in a professional environment. There are a lot of options you can choose to complete this requirement. You can interview a professional in a field that interests you. You can spend time job shadowing — spending a day following someone who works in a field you find interesting. You can also look for internships or a part-time job by searching job posting sites or checking out a job board at your school.

Once you’ve started your work experience, log in to ScholarTrack and answer a few questions to complete the requirement.


First, watch the “Estimating Your College Costs” video. This 10 minute video will help you calculate the out-of-pocket cost that you and your family should be prepared to contribute toward your college education.

It will also show you how to use the College Scorecard, an online tool designed to help you compare the costs of Indiana colleges and determine what kind of financial aid you may be eligible to receive. It will ask you to estimate your household income, so you’ll want to work with a parent or guardian. To get started with the College Scorecard, click here.

Once you’ve finished, log in to ScholarTrack and answer a few questions to complete the requirement.


GRADE 10 SCHOLAR SUCCESS GUIDE

Download a PDF of the Grade 10 Scholar Success Guide here.

11th Grade

Your junior year is a busy year. You’re preparing for prom, driving tests and maybe even getting a part-time job. There are three Scholar Success Programs you must complete this year to help you stay on track for success. After you complete these activities, log into your ScholarTrack account to track your completion.

SCHOLAR SUCCESS PROGRAM ACTIVITIES


Planning a college visit through a school’s admissions office can give you the opportunity to get a feel for student life at that college. To get started, make a list of the schools that interest you most. You can learn more about choosing colleges here.

Write down a list of questions you want to ask during your visit, such as how big the classes are, what your housing options would be, and what activities, sports or clubs exist on campus. Then, contact the admissions office and they’ll help you schedule a tour. Think about bringing someone along to check out the college with you.

Can’t make it onto a college campus? You can also take a virtual tour to complete this requirement.

Once you’ve visited at least one college, log in to ScholarTrack and answer a few questions to complete the requirement.


A college entrance exam is an admissions requirement at most colleges. The most common exams are the SAT and the ACT. Before you sign up to take an official exam, make sure you’re choosing the one that best suits your needs: some colleges require ACT scores, while others require SAT scores. Check each college’s admissions website to see which test is required or preferred. A map of Indiana Colleges can be found here.

To prepare for the tests, see if your school or public library has ACT or SAT prep practice books. Check out ACTStudent.org (for the ACT) and CollegeBoard.org (for the SAT) for free practice tests, test day tips and other resources to help improve your skills.

Both the ACT and SAT require a $50 fee at the time of registration, but as a 21st Century Scholar, you should qualify for a fee waiver to cover the cost. Talk to your counselor about requesting a fee waiver.

Once you’ve taken either the ACT or SAT, log in to ScholarTrack and answer a few questions to complete the requirement.


Your 21st Century Scholarship covers up to full tuition and mandatory fees, but the award does not cover expenses such as room and board, books, supplies and other living expenses—which can be costly. You should pursue as many additional scholarship opportunities as possible to help cover these extra costs.

Search for local Indiana scholarships, as well as national scholarships, that you’re eligible for. You can find more information about financial aid and scholarships here.

Many applications require an essay or personal statement, so start thinking about essay topics and creative ways to approach personal statements.

Once you’ve applied for several scholarships, log in to ScholarTrack and answer a few questions to complete the requirement.


GRADE 11 SCHOLAR SUCCESS GUIDE

Download a PDF of the Grade 11 Scholar Success Guide here.

12th Grade

Congrats, senior! You’re heading into the final stretch of high school, and college will be here before you know it. It might be tempting to slow down and cost, but make sure you finish high school strong! There are three Scholar Success Programs you must complete this year to help you stay on track for success. After you complete these activities, log into your ScholarTrack account to track your completion.

SCHOLAR SUCCESS PROGRAM ACTIVITIES

It’s time to submit your college application! If you’re still trying to figure out what’s best for you, consider checking out the Choosing a College page.

After you’ve submitted your application, log in to ScholarTrack and answer a few questions to complete the requirement.

Watch the 10 minute video, then log in to ScholarTrack and answer a few questions to complete the requirement.
The FAFSA will determine your eligibility for financial aid—money to help you pay for college. The easiest way to file the FAFSA is online at the FAFSA website. The website also provides a printer-friendly PDF if you prefer to mail your FAFSA.

You have to file the FAFSA no later than April 15. The form is available October 1. Check with the college or colleges you hope to attend to make sure they don’t have an earlier deadline.

Once your FAFSA is completed, log in to ScholarTrack and answer a few questions to complete the requirement.

GRADE 12 SCHOLAR SUCCESS GUIDE

Download a PDF of the Grade 12 Scholar Success Guide here.

Earn Your Scholarship
In order to earn your Scholarship, you must maintain the Scholar Pledge, including completing all 12 high school Scholar Success Program activities by June 30 of your senior year of high school. You must track your completion of these activities through your ScholarTrack account.

Once you’ve completed all the Scholar Success Program activities, and have enrolled at an accredited Indiana college within a year of high school graduation, the 21st Century Scholars office will send your name to the college you will attend. The financial aid department will claim the scholarships for each Scholar enrolled, and deposit that money into your student account to be used to pay for your college tuition. If you have questions, you can contact your school’s financial aid office, or the statewide Student Support Center at 1-888-528-4719.

Scholar Support and Incentives
Each of Indiana’s colleges and universities offers different kinds of support and incentives to 21st Century Scholars, as well as programs for all students that can benefit Scholars. Check out what kinds of support might be available to you at Indiana’s colleges.

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