Sixteen Northwest Indiana students have earned Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarships, the Commission for Higher Education announced Thursday.
Nearly 1,100 students applied and more than 300 students received scholarships to Indiana schools in the competitive program.
Recipients earn a renewable scholarship of up to $10,000 per year (up to $40,000 total) to help pay for college. Administered by the higher education commission, it requires recipients to teach for five years at an eligible Indiana school to strengthen Indiana’s homegrown teacher pipeline.
Gov. Mike Braun praised the program in a statement.
“Investments like the Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship provide a win-win for our state, helping aspiring teachers take an important step toward their future by reducing the cost of earning their degree, all while ensuring they stay right here in Indiana to build their career and educate the next generation of Hoosiers.”
Applications were received from students representing 323 high schools in 90 of Indiana’s 92 counties.
Additionally, about 70% of applicants were Indiana high school seniors, with the remaining applicants being current college students.
“Having a high-quality teacher in every classroom is essential to improving student outcomes,” said Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education.
“By making higher education more affordable for some of our state’s most promising future educators, this scholarship is an investment not only in our teachers but in the future of our communities, our state, and most importantly, our Hoosier students.”
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To renew the scholarship while in college, students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA and complete at least 30 credit hours per year.
Local winners and their schools include:
Ashley Jenkins, Valparaiso, Valparaiso University; Aubree Chumley, Portage, Ball State University; Aubree Williams, Chesterton, Butler University; Emily Cicillian, Hobart, Ball State; Emily Thiel, Hobart, VU; Evvy Kikkert, Munster, Ball State; Khloe Kontos, Valparaiso, VU; Lilyahna Fletcher, Portage, VU; Lilyan Mann, North Judson, Purdue University; Marisa McQuaid, Crown Point, IU; Molly Billings, Chesterton, University of Southern Indiana; Morgan Babbitt, Crown Point, Purdue Northwest; Sage Dorsey, Crown Point, Ball State; Savannah Haskell, Rensselaer Central, Purdue; Victoria Chalik, LaPorte, Ball State; Wyatt Wilczynski, LaPorte, IU.