STATEHOUSE (Feb. 14, 2025) – The House Ways and Means Committee advanced State Rep. Dave Heine's (R-Fort Wayne) legislation to boost Indiana's teacher pipeline.
Heine said House Bill 1326 builds on a law he authored during the 2023 legislative session that created Transition to Teaching Scholarships, which provide students who are looking to make a switch into teaching a one-time, non-renewable $10,000 scholarship if enrolled in a transition to teaching certification program. Heine's bill raises the income threshold to qualify for the scholarship to up to 400% of the amount to qualify for the Federal Free or Reduced Price Lunch Program. Currently, the annual income threshold is $100,000 or less.
"It is my passion to make teaching an accessible and rewarding profession for anyone looking to kickstart their career," Heine said. "I look forward to working with my colleagues to expand the Transition to Teaching Scholarship program and help more Hoosiers find meaningful work educating our future leaders."
Heine also said that House Bill 1326 would permit the Indiana Commission for Higher Education to use the remaining balance allocated to certain teaching scholarships to fund other such scholarships if there is a higher demand.
"Over 300 applicants have received Transition to Teaching Scholarships in fiscal year 2025 to date," Heine said.
During the 2024 legislative session, Heine authored legislation that expanded the transition to teaching program by allowing any remaining balance in the state's Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship fund, after all scholarships are awarded, to be used to provide Transition to Teaching Scholarships.
To be eligible for the Transition to Teaching Scholarship, applicants pursuing a transition to teaching certification need a bachelor's degree, agree to obtain an initial practitioner license and teach in Indiana for at least five years.
House Bill 1326 has been referred to the full House for further consideration. For more information, visit iga.in.gov. To learn more about scholarships offered to future Hoosier educators, visit in.gov/che.
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State Rep. Dave Heine (R-Fort Wayne) represents House District 85,
which includes a portion of Allen County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
