Hamilton County lawmakers urge aspiring teachers planning or pursuing a degree in education to apply for the Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship.
Local legislators encouraging students to apply include State Reps. Tony Cook (R-Cicero), Chuck Goodrich (R-Noblesville), Todd Huston (R-Fishers), Donna Schaibley (R-Carmel) and Jerry Torr (R-Carmel).
Schaibley said current high school seniors, college freshmen and college sophomores can earn a renewable scholarship of up to $7,500 each year for four academic years, totaling $30,000. Scholarship recipients must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA and complete at least 30 credit hours per year, and commit to teaching for five consecutive years in Indiana after earning their degree.
“Indiana has some of the best colleges to train future educators, and we want to keep the talented graduates in the Hoosier state,” Schaibley said. “Our best and brightest aspiring teachers can use this opportunity to ease the financial burden that comes with paying for higher education.”
Lawmakers, including Cook, supported legislation establishing the scholarship in order to attract more high-achieving students to pursue a career as a teacher.
“As a former school administrator, I’ve seen firsthand the profound impact educators can have on our young Hoosiers,” Cook said. “We need to ensure outstanding students who want to teach end up in local schools shaping future generations.”
Huston said applicants must be in the top 20 percent of their high school graduating class or have earned a score in the top 20th percentile on the SAT or ACT. Interested students should be nominated by a teacher and submit a nomination form with their application, which is available at ScholarTrack.IN.gov, according to Goodrich.
“I want the best teachers in the classroom educating our Hoosiers,” Huston said. “Encouraging more high-achieving students to contribute to our K-12 education system is critical to students’ success and Indiana’s future.”
“In order for Indiana to develop a strong workforce, we need our most talented teachers on the front lines shaping and preparing our students,” Goodrich said.
Torr said the scholarship has already helped more than 40 Hoosiers become licensed teachers. Last year, 393 students applied, with applications from 212 high schools representing 82 of Indiana’s 92 counties.
“This has the clear potential to help some our brightest students become educators,” Torr said. “I highly encourage students interested in this profession to apply for this opportunity.”
To apply before the Nov. 30 deadline, visit LearnMoreIndiana.org/nextteacher. Finalists will be named by Jan. 10, 2020, and will be interviewed in Indianapolis on March 14, 2020. Recipients will be notified by April 3, 2020.