State Assistance Programs

Freedom of Choice Grants
Students who receive an Indiana Higher Education Award and who attend a private college are awarded these grants, which can range up to $6,574. This program is administered by the State Student Assistance Commission and is designed to help equalize costs and provide students greater selection among institutions. A separate application is not required for this program. A student receiving an Indiana Higher Education Award will automatically receive the Freedom of Choice Grant.

Hoosier Scholarships
This state-funded program provides nonrenewable awards of $500 to graduating high school seniors who rank in the top 20 percent of their class. The recipients of this award are nominated by their local school administration.

Indiana Higher Education Awards
These awards are made by the State Student Assistance Commission to eligible high school graduates attending institutions of higher learning in Indiana. An applicant is eligible if he or she is an Indiana resident and a full-time student who demonstrates financial need by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Parents of dependent students also must be Indiana residents. The awards can range up to $3,698. The FAFSA must be received by the federal processor by March 10 preceding the academic year of attendance. Students may receive state grants for eight semesters of full-time undergraduate enrollment.

Minority Teacher/Special Education Scholarships
These awards, from the state of Indiana, are open to African-American and Hispanic students majoring in elementary or secondary education or students seeking certification in special education. Applicants must be Indiana residents enrolled full-time with at least a 2.5 grade point average. Applicants must agree to teach at the elementary or secondary level for three out of five years in an Indiana school. The scholarship amount varies depending on financial need and state appropriation. This award may be renewed if the student applies each year and continues to meet the eligibility criteria. The deadline for application is April 1 preceding the academic year of attendance. Applications are available in the financial aid office.

Nursing Scholarships
This state program provides funds for Indiana nursing students who demonstrate financial need. These students must maintain a grade point average of 2.7 and agree to work as a nurse in any type of health care facility in Indiana for at least two years following graduation. Scholarship amounts vary depending on financial need and state appropriations. The University makes the initial and renewal decisions. Applications can be obtained from the financial aid office. The deadline for application is April 1 preceding the academic year of attendance.

Part-time State Grants
These awards are made to eligible students who are residents of Indiana, are enrolled in three to 11.5 credit hours, and have state grant eligibility remaining. The student cannot be in default or owe a repayment of federal funds to be eligible for this award. The FAFSA must be received by March 10 preceding the academic year of attendance.

21st-Century Scholars Program
21st-Century Scholars Program. This program, funded by the state and administered by the State Assistance Commission of Indiana, is available to Indiana students who, during their eighth grade year, were eligible to receive free lunches. Students who pledged to remain drug- and alcohol-free, refrain from committing any criminal activity, achieve a high school GPA of 2.0, and file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid each year by the March 10 receipt deadline are eligible to receive a grant comparable to the tuition at a public state school. Eligibility for the Higher Education and Freedom of Choice Awards may reduce the award amount. This tuition-only award is available to full-time undergraduate students for eight semesters. Awards range up to approximately $5,400 at the University of Indianapolis.

Non-Indiana Residents
Information on grants from the student's home state is available at http://nassgap. org/membershipdirectory/statesites.htm.