Local Students, Graduates Among Recipients of Next Generation Hoosier Educator Scholarships

Last week, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education awarded 200 scholarships to the sixth class of Next Generation Hoosier Educators. Four of this years’ recipients were Montgomery County students.

The four local students to receive scholarships were:

• Aaron Carlson, a homeschool graduate who currently attends Grace College;
• Elizabeth Truncone, a Southmont High School graduate who currently attends Marian University;
• Mia Myers, a Southmont High School graduate who currently attends Butler University;
• and Morgan Swick, a North Montgomery High School senior who will attend Marian University

Selected through a competitive process based on academic achievement and additional factors, recipients will receive $7,500 annually (up to $30,000 total) for committing to teach in Indiana for at least five years after graduating college.

A total of 627 students applied for the 2022-23 Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship, a 43 percent increase in submitted applications compared to last year. Applications were received from learners representing 270 high schools in 86 of Indiana’s 92 counties. Additionally, 75 percent of applicants were Indiana high school seniors with the remainder comprised of current college students.

To qualify for the scholarship, students had to either graduate in the top 20 percent of their high school class, earn a score in the 20th percentile on the SAT or ACT, or have at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA.

“Recipients of the Next Generation Hoosier Educators scholarship will bring dedication, creativity and passion to classrooms across the state,” said Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education Chris Lowery. “Teachers play an important and vital role in preparing students for academic and life success. It’s encouraging to see so many students committed to teaching in Indiana as the number of applicants increases each year.”

To continue earning the scholarship in college, students must earn a 3.0 cumulative GPA and complete at least 30 credit hours per year.

Students who received the scholarship for the 2022-23 academic year are listed by county online at https://learnmoreindiana.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/220512_Next-Gen-List-of-Recipients.pdf.

Learn more about the Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship at https://www.in.gov/che/state-financial-aid/state-financial-aid-by-program/next-generation-hoosier-educators-scholarship/.

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.