$80K in Grant Funding Available to Support College, Career Readiness

The Indiana Commission for Higher Education is now accepting applications for the fall/winter School and Community Partnership Grant until Oct. 21. These grants are designed to bring together K-12 schools, postsecondary institutions, employers and community organizations to plan and implement supportive efforts for students of all ages to complete education and training beyond high school.

The School and Community Partnership Grant is designed to support collaborative efforts focused on three main college and career readiness priorities:

• Completing the 21st Century Scholars’ Scholar Success Program and maintaining academic eligibility with at least a 2.5 grade point average;
• Family engagement programming focused on college and career readiness, including enrollment in the 21st Century Scholars program and the Workforce Ready Grant; and
• Pre-college and postsecondary professional development focused on Indiana’s college achievement gap.

“Indiana’s employers, community organizations, higher education institutions and K-12 schools play an integral role in increasing our state’s attainment rate,” said Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education Chris Lowery. “The School and Community Partnership Grants encourage collaboration within communities to encourage learners of all ages to pursue education beyond high school.”

Indiana GEAR UPGrant funding is made possible through Indiana Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP). Led by a team of staff from Purdue University and the Commission, one of the primary goals of Indiana GEAR UP is to increase the number of students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education.

A total of $80,000 is available for the fall/winter grant cycle and funding is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Eligible applicants can apply for up to $10,000 for programming. Proposals for more than $5,000 must directly serve students from participating Indiana GEAR UP cohort high schools. Preference will be given to applications that focus on developing sustainable support for students and families at one or more of the Indiana GEAR UP partner high schools.

Additional points will be awarded for narratives that support high-need programming areas, including career exploration, completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), closing college achievement gaps for minority and low-income Hoosier students, 21st Century Scholar enrollment, Scholar Success Program completion and adult student engagement. Additional consideration will be given to applicants who commit to integrating the Scholar Success Program activities into school programming for all students, both Scholars and non-Scholars.

Questions regarding the grant application process can be submitted to Grants@che.in.gov.

About the Indiana Commission for Higher Education

Created in 1971, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education plans, coordinates and defines Indiana’s postsecondary education system to align higher learning with the needs of students and the state. The Commission also administers Indiana’s financial aid programs, including the 21st Century Scholars early college promise scholarship, which celebrated 30 years in 2020. Learn more about the Commission’s Reaching Higher in a State of Change strategic plan at www.in.gov/che.