STATEHOUSE (Sept. 20, 2019) – Northwest Indiana lawmakers encourage aspiring teachers planning or pursuing a degree in education to apply for the Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship.
State Reps. Michael Aylesworth (R-Hebron), Jim Pressel (R-Rolling Prairie) and Ed Soliday (R-Valparaiso) supported legislation establishing the scholarship in order to attract more high-achieving students to pursue a career in Hoosier classrooms.
“Teachers leave a huge and lasting impact on the lives of their students,” Aylesworth said. “Indiana has amazing teachers making a difference in classrooms across the state, and we want to ensure that talent remains for years to come.”
Current high school seniors, college freshmen and college sophomores can earn a renewable scholarship of up to $7,500 each year for four academic years, totaling $30,000. Pressel said scholarship recipients must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA and complete at least 30 credit hours per year, and commit to teaching for five consecutive years in Indiana after earning their degree.
“Our state is home to so many incredible students aspiring to be teachers,” Pressel said. “This scholarship program is a great way to keep these young Hoosiers living and working in Indiana to educate the next generation.”
Applicants must be in the top 20 percent of their high school graduating class or have earned a score in the top 20th percentile on the SAT or ACT. Interested students should be nominated by a teacher and submit a nomination form with their application, which is available at ScholarTrack.IN.gov.
According to Soliday, the scholarship has already helped more than 40 Hoosiers become licensed teachers. Last year, 393 students applied, with applications from 212 high schools representing 82 of Indiana’s 92 counties.
“This program can significantly offset the cost of schooling for students who may not otherwise be able to afford it,” Soliday said. “It is a great opportunity, and I strongly encourage interested students in our area to apply.”
To apply before the Nov. 30 deadline, visit www.LearnMoreIndiana.org/nextteacher. Finalists will be named by Jan. 10, 2020, to be interviewed in Indianapolis on March 14, 2020. Recipients will be notified by April 3, 2020.
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State Rep. Michael Aylesworth (R-Hebron) represents House District 11,
which includes portions of Lake and Porter counties.
Click here for a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Jim Pressel (R-Rolling Prairie) represents House District 20,
which includes portions of LaPorte and Starke counties.
Click here for a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Ed Soliday (R-Valparaiso) represents House
District 4, which includes a portion of Porter County.
Click here for a high-resolution photo.
