STATEHOUSE (Dec. 9, 2025) – Indiana high school seniors and college students planning to pursue a career in teaching can now apply for a Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship, according to State Reps. Cindy Ledbetter (R-Newburgh) and Shane Lindauer (R-Jasper).
Ledbetter said this renewable scholarship, established in 2016 through legislation passed by the Indiana General Assembly, pays $10,000 per year for up to four academic years for students who commit to teaching in Indiana for at least five years.
"Supporting teachers lays the groundwork for positive education outcomes in our state," Ledbetter said. "This scholarship is an opportunity to help aspiring educators early on in their journey, ensuring the best and brightest are in Indiana classrooms."
Lindauer said scholarships will be awarded to high school and college students who have graduated or will graduate from an Indiana accredited high school or non-accredited nonpublic high school. Applicants must also rank in the top 20% of their high school graduating class, have a top 20% ACT or SAT score, or have a cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
"Hoosier students who are passionate about education should consider applying for this scholarship," Lindauer said. "It helps future educators save on college costs while earning their degree and provides an incentive to remain in our state."
The 2026-2027 application is available online at scholartrack.che.in.gov through Feb. 28. Applicants will be notified of their scholarship status by April 2026. For questions, email the Indiana Commission for Higher Education at NextTeacher@che.in.gov.
In 2023, the legislature passed a law that increased the scholarship award amount from $7,500 to $10,000 and removed the annual 200-recipient cap. Last year, more than a thousand students applied for the scholarship, a new record, with nearly 300 scholarships awarded.
To learn more about the Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship, visit in.gov/che.
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State Rep. Cindy Ledbetter (R-Newburgh) represents House District 75,
which includes portions of Gibson, Pike and Warrick counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Shane Lindauer (R-Jasper) represents House District 63,
which includes all of Martin County, and portions of Daviess, Dubois and Pike counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
