Wabash County lawmakers: New career scholarships can open doors for Hoosier high school students

Deadline to apply for $5,000 scholarship is Oct. 1

Posted by: Matthew Gocken  | Wednesday, September 20, 2023

STATEHOUSE (Sept. 20, 2023) – Local lawmakers encourage high school students who want to pursue work-based learning and credentials outside the classroom to apply for the state's newly launched Career Scholarship Account program.

State Rep. Craig Snow (R-Warsaw) said Hoosier students in 10th, 11th and 12th grades at a state accredited public or private school can receive up to $5,000 to access qualified training opportunities. About 1,000 spots are available for the 2023-2024 school year and students can apply for a Career Scholarship Account until the Oct. 1 deadline.

"The workforce is a competitive environment, so students who use Career Scholarship Accounts can benefit over others who don't have the same experience," Snow said. "There's only so many scholarships, so students should not wait to sign up."

State Rep. Lorissa Sweet (R-Wabash) said Career Scholarship Accounts are available to high school students who are enrolled in a course or educational experience approved by the Indiana Department of Education. Eligible students may also be enrolled in an apprenticeship, applied learning experience, work-based learning and/or credential attainment experience approved by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education.

"Hoosier employers need more trained workers and we know that increasing opportunities for high schoolers to skill up is part of that solution," Sweet said. "Students can use these scholarships to check out career fields and build their resume, which can help them no matter what direction they take upon graduation."

Approved students will receive $5,000 over four disbursements and can use the money toward certain qualified expenses:

  • Expenses to enroll in and attend sequences, courses, apprenticeships, or programs of study;
  • Career coaching and navigation services;
  • Postsecondary education and training;
  • Transportation and equipment;
  • Certification and credentialing examinations; and 
  • Any other expenses approved by the Treasurer of the State.

Approved courses and classes, which are listed on the online application, can be in accounting, cybersecurity, information technology, software development, veterinary science and more.

The State Board of Education is also reviewing high school diploma requirements to provide more flexibility in a student’s schedule, so they can pursue work-based learning and apprenticeship experiences.

To learn more about Career Scholarship Accounts and enroll before the Oct. 1 deadline, click here. For more information, visit in.gov/tos/csa, email CSA@tos.in.gov or call 317-232-0723.

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State Rep. Craig Snow (R-Warsaw) represents House District 22,
which includes portions of Kosciusko and Wabash counties.
Click 
here to download a high-resolution photo.

State Rep. Lorissa Sweet (R-Wabash) represents House District 50,
which includes all of Huntington County, and portions of Miami, Wabash and Wells counties.
Click 
here to download a high-resolution photo.