State scholarship now available for students studying teaching
10/06/2016
The Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship will begin accepting applications Nov. 1. ISTA encourages high school and college students to apply. The scholarship awards up to $7,500 per year for college tuition to applicants who commit to teaching in Indiana for five years following graduation.
According to the program guidelines, priority will be given this first year to 2016 – 17 high school graduates, but some scholarships will be offered to existing college students as well.
Eligible students must have achieved an SAT or ACT score in the top 20 percent of their class or graduate in the top 20 percent of the class. Students must also maintain a 3.0 GPA while enrolled in an institution of higher education and complete at least 30 credit hours each year to maintain eligibility. The first cohort will include up to 200 student awardees.
The scholarship opportunity arose from legislation enacted in 2016 as an attempt to reduce the teacher shortage in Indiana. The intent is to attract top students into the teaching profession and retain them throughout their careers in Hoosier classrooms. The program is designed to help remove some of the financial hurdles that are in front of students who are interested in teaching and to reward their excellence.
In order to be considered for the award, each student must complete an online application and must also be nominated by a teacher – either a previous teacher or current one. Students must complete the nomination form in addition to the application.
The Commission for Higher Education will review all applications, and finalists will be chosen for a panel interview by Jan. 31, 2017. There will be eight regional interview centers according to applicants’ county of residence. Finalist interviews will occur on March 11, 18 and 25, 2017.
For more information on the scholarship program, please visit www.LearnMoreIndiana.org/NextTeacher.
Again, ISTA encourages members to spread the word to qualifying high school and college students and be willing to nominate when asked those who you believe would make a great addition to the teaching profession.