Author: Next Indiana

Owen is a winner—you could be, too Apply Here As winner of this year’s Next Indiana scholarship, Owen Baxter has a $1,500 head start on his college expenses. He learned about the scholarship through a link posted by his high school guidance counselor. Owen will attend Purdue University in the fall of 2021 to study Chemical Engineering. “I plan to earn a bachelor’s degree in this field, which I will use to … improve the world by applying my fascination and knowledge in mathematics, science, physics, and, of course, engineering…

Life after high school is all about setting you up for a fulfilling, financially secure future. Identifying your passions, skills and career options are the biggest pieces of the puzzle, but there’s more to it than that. You have to stay financially healthy, too. Borrowing and/or spending too much money are big temptations that can weigh you down with debt for the rest of your life and cast a shadow over everything you do. It’s a trap too many people fall into. In fact, the average student loan debt for…

See LearnMoreIndiana.org/statefinancialaid for full details and requirements. What is it? Who Qualifies? How Much? Child of Veterans and Public Safety Officers Grant (CVO) Students whose parent is a deceased or disabled military veteran, deceased public safety officer or permanently disabled state trooper. Up to 100% of tuition costs at public Indiana colleges. Earline S. Rogers Student Teaching Stipend for Minorities Black or Hispanic students who will participate in student teaching during the upcoming school year. The amount varies basedon student need andavailable funds. EARN Indiana Any student who demonstrates need….

Studies say that about half of full-time college students have jobs outside of school. If you are among the half that needs to work, don’t ignore the importance of work-life balance. Going to work, attending class and studying should be your top priorities and might seem like all you have time for, but everyone needs personal time to recharge and stay healthy—mentally and physically. School administrators recommend the following: Schedule classes first, then find work that fits your schedule. If possible, don’t work more than 10-15 hours a week. Don’t…

Mike Werle21st Century ScholarCathedral High School, Class of 2016Indiana University, Class of 2020Behavioral health tech in a mental health group home About the scholarship program: I got involved in the 21st Century scholarship program because my older siblings went through it and mom and dad knew it worked! At Cathedral, my counselor made a point of keeping me on track. That pushed me to work on my grades, because I knew that better grades equal less college debt. (Ask your high school counselor if you can see their drawer of…

For more than 30 years, Indiana’s 21st Century Scholars program has helped income-eligible high school students earn up to four years of tuition at eligible Indiana colleges. More than 40,000 students have earned a college degree thanks to a 21st Century Scholarship and another 100,000 are enrolled—from seventh grade through college seniors. Free college tuition is the reward for 21st Century Scholars who take the time every year in high school and college to fulfill their obligations and maintain their scholarship. Fortunately, the College Scholar Success Program is available to…

Many colleges offer application-fee waivers to encourage students to apply regardless of financial difficulty or other circumstances. Check the school’s website or call the admissions office and ask. Fee waivers are more available than most students realize. Here are some of the special circumstances that can save you money: 21st Century Scholars: If you’re a 21st Century Scholar, you may receive automatic fee waivers at some Indiana colleges. Campus Visits: Some colleges award an automatic fee waiver to students who have participated in a campus visit day. If you’re planning…

Your credit score is a three-digit number that tells lenders how trustworthy you are as a borrower and landlords how likely you are to pay your rent. The higher your score, the more likely you are to be approved for credit and to get low interest rates. Building a strong credit score after high school will serve you well in the future—when you apply for a car loan, for example, or a mortgage. Here are a few tips to get you started: Open a credit card account with a low…

Scammers are everywhere, and the world of scholarships is no exception. Don’t fall for these dirty tricks: A guaranteed scholarship in exchange for a fee. Remember, scholarships are free! Unsolicited scholarship offers from someone who contacts you via phone, text or email. Offers to sell you a list of exclusive scholarships. Legitimate scholarships won’t be found on such a list. A general rule of thumb is if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. And never give away personal information, such as your Social Security number or…

Unlike student loans, you don’t repay a scholarship. But getting a scholarship isn’t as easy as walking into a bank. You have to apply for and be awarded a scholarship. Some are based purely on need. Others are merit-based and very competitive. The good news is there is a seemingly endless list of scholarships to apply and compete for. The trick is to find scholarships that you qualify for. Ask your school counselor and each school you apply to, and make sure to apply on time. Think you won’t qualify…

When you’re looking into the expense of college and other options (and how to pay for them), you’ll run into lots of initials, acronyms and words that are new to you. Here are some common ones to be aware of: Award LetterOfficial letter from the college financial aid office that lists all the financial aid awarded to the student. Bursar’s OfficeThe university office responsible for billing and collections. Cost of Attendance (COA)Usually stated as a yearly figure, it includes tuition and fees, room and board, allowances for books and supplies,…