STATE OF INDIANA FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS

For more detailed information on state financial aid programs contact:

State Student Assistance Commission of Indiana (SSACI)

150 W. Market St. Suite 500

Indianapolis, IN 46204

Phone: (317) 232-2355

Toll-Free: 1-888-528-4719

Fax: (317) 232-3260

http://www.in.gov/sfa/

The following are financial aid programs available to students who are residents of the state of Indiana.

Frank O’Bannon Grant Program

Frank O’Bannon Grant (formerly the Indiana Higher Education Grant) Program, designed to provide access for Hoosier students to attend eligible postsecondary institutions, receives its funding through appropriations made by the Indiana General Assembly. The grants, targeted to tuition and regularly assessed fees, are “need-based” and do not require repayment. Due to variations in appropriations, the number of filers and the “need” of the filer base, the dollar value of state grants will vary from year to year.

Frank O’Bannon Grant (formerly the Indiana Higher Education Grant) includes both the Higher Education Award and the Freedom of Choice Award.

To qualify for state grant consideration the applicant must:

• be an Indiana resident;
• be a U.S. Citizen or eligible noncitizen
• be a high school graduate or hold a GED
• attend, or plan to attend, an eligible college or university
• be enrolled, or plan to enroll, in a course of study leading to an associates or first bachelors degree;
• be a full-time student, or plan to enroll as a full-time student. (The state grant defines full-time as at least 12 credit hours per term); and
• file an application (FAFSA) – receive by March 10 of the year preceding the academic year the applicant plans to enroll.

NOTE: Questions about this program should be directed to the State Student Assistance Commission of Indiana, Grant Division, 150 W. Market Street, Suite 500, Indianapolis, IN 46204, 317/232-2350.

Hoosier Scholar Award

The Hoosier Scholar Award is a $500 non-renewable award. The funds are disbursed the first semester of the freshman year in college. The Award is based on academic merit and may be used for any educational expense.

The high school guidance counselor staff is responsible for selecting the Hoosier Scholars each year. Depending upon the size of the high school, one to three scholars are selected.

The following general requirements apply to the Hoosier Scholar Award program, but additional selection criteria and applications may be put in place by the high school guidance staff.

All Hoosier Scholar Students must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before the March deadline. Families may file the FAFSA on-line at www.fafsa.ed.gov after the student and parent each get a Federal Student Aid pin at www.pin.ed.gov .

The student must:

1. Be a senior at an accredited Indiana high school
2. Be an Indiana resident
3. Rank in the top 20% of the high school graduating class
4. Plan to attend an approved Indiana institution of higher education as a full time student

Questions about this award should be directed to State Student Assistance Commission of Indiana, 150 W. Market Street, Suite 500, Indianapolis, IN 46204, 317/232-2350.

21st Century Scholars Program

The Twenty-first Century Scholars Program began in 1990 as Indiana’s way of raising the educational aspirations of low and moderate-income families. The program aims to ensure that all Indiana families can afford a college education for their children.

Twenty-first Century Scholars Forms & Deadlines

• I will graduate with an Indiana High School Diploma from a charter school, freeway or other Indiana school recognized by the Indiana Department of Education.
• I will achieve a cumulative high school GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• I will not use illegal drugs or alcohol, or commit a crime.
• I will apply for admission to an eligible Indiana college, university or proprietary school as a high school senior.
• I will apply on time for state and federal financial aid.

I understand that I must be an Indiana resident (as determined by the permanent residence of my parent or legal guardian), a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen. Enroll as a full-time student at an eligible Indiana college or proprietary institution and meet all other financial aid requirements at the institution I attend. Students must also file an error free FAFSA.

How to Apply

Eligible students may apply to the Twenty-first Century Scholars program. To be eligible for the Twenty-first Century Scholars Program, students must:

• be a resident of Indiana as an applicant and award recipient (determined by residency of parent/legal guardian) U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen. For information about citizenship qualifications, call 1- 888-528-4719.
• be enrolled in the 7th- or 8th-grade at a charter school, freeway school, or other Indiana school recognized by the Indiana Department of Education.
• meet income requirements or be a ward of the court county or in foster care.

Students and their parents must complete and return the application by June 30 of the 7th- or 8th-grade year. Students may request applications for the Twenty-first Century Scholars Program from:

• the school where the student is enrolled,
• Twenty-first Century Scholars Regional Support Programs
• Twenty-first Century Scholars Central Office by calling 1-888-528-4719,
• or the Learn More Resource Center Hotline by calling 1-800-992-2076

Twenty-First Century Scholars Gear Up Summer Scholarship

A major thrust of the GEAR UP program is early intervention. Indiana is making great strides in preparing Twenty-first Century Scholars to succeed in college but their academic needs are great and many are best met by the colleges in which they enroll. Because many Scholars have not been provided with appropriate curriculum, instruction or academic support to succeed in college, they might need to take basic preparatory courses in the summer before they begin their program and degree requirements. In addition, they might need to take upper class summer courses to make sure they stay on track to graduate on-time after their freshmen year. The GEAR UP Summer Scholarship pays for summer school tuition and regularly assessed and fees.

The Summer GEAR UP Scholarship may be used by any eligible Twenty-first Century Scholar student wanting to enroll in summer courses, which may be a college preparatory, pre-requisite or required class for their degree program. The Scholarship can be used by only by Scholars who are high school students going to college for the first time or freshmen finishing their first year in college. It is a non-renewable scholarship that can be used for the summer sessions before the fall of first enrollment or the summer sessions after the student’s first year of college.

In order to be considered for a GEAR UP Summer Scholarship, a student must complete an application and be…

• An Affirmed Scholar admitted to an eligible Indiana college and otherwise eligible to receive the Twenty-first Century Scholarship.
• Enrolled full time and eligible to receive the Twenty-first Century Scholarship in the fall term following the summer course session or having received the Scholarship in the previous spring term.
• Enrolled in either summer college preparatory classes, pre-requisites or those classes that would be considered required classes for their college major.
• Approved by both the appropriate office of the college where they are enrolled and where they plan to take the courses if different.

The GEAR UP Summer Scholarship is a grant of up to $1,500 that pays for summer school tuition and regularly assessed course fees (but it does not cover other costs such as text books or room and board). Once the student is approved he or she will receive a letter that must be presented to the summer school where courses are taken. The institution will also receive updated lists of approved and denied students. The institution should select one staff member to keep track of approved students. The college is paid directly after the State Student Assistance Commission of Indiana (SSACI) receives and approves the appropriate billing documents.

For information on the GEAR UP Summer Scholarship program and for application materials or other information, contact:

GEAR UP Coordinator
Office of Twenty-first Century Scholars
150 West Market Street, Suite 500
Indianapolis , Indiana
(317) 234 – 1394

Nursing Scholarship Fund Program

Purpose

The Nursing Scholarship Fund was created by the 1990 Indiana General Assembly to encourage and promote qualified individuals to pursue a nursing career in Indiana.

The Nursing Scholarship Fund program is administered by the State Student Assistance Commission of Indiana (SSACI) which is responsible for record keeping and for allotting funds to approved colleges and universities.

Eligibility

To be eligible students must:

1. Be admitted to an approved institution of higher learning as a full time (12 hours or more) or part time (6-11 hours) nursing student.
2. Be an Indiana resident and an US citizen.
3. Agree in writing to work as a nurse in an Indiana health care setting for at least the first two (2) years following graduation.
4. Demonstrate a financial need for the scholarship.
5. Have a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 2.0 on a scale of 4.0 or the equivalent, or meet the minimum GPA requirements established for the college’s nursing program if it is higher.
6. Not be in default on a state or federally sponsored student loan.
7. Complete and file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
8. Meet all other minimum criteria established by the Commission.

Renewal Scholarships

Scholars must:

1. Maintain the cumulative GPA required by the college for admission to its nursing program, or
2. Maintain a GPA of at least 2.0 on a scale of 4.0 or the equivalent if there is no minimum at the college, and
3. Reapply each year

Scholarship Value

The scholarship can only be applied towards tuition and fees. Colleges will determine the actual award amount when developing a scholar’s financial aid package. The maximum annual scholarship is ,000. However, the amount of the scholarship may be affected by the level of other tuition specific grants and scholarships aid received by an applicant.

Conditions

Scholars must agree to:

1. Work as a nurse in an Indiana health care setting for at least the first two (2) years following graduation, and
2. Complete the nursing program within six (6) years from the time the first scholarship is received

Those who fail to fulfill the terms of their scholarship agreement may be required to reimburse the State of Indiana.

Application Procedures

Applications can be obtained by clicking online. Applications should be submitted to the Office of Financial Aid where the applicant plans to attend. Applications should not be submitted to SSACI. Colleges will make the award decisions.

Minority Teacher/Special Education Services Scholarship

Purpose

The Minority Teacher Scholarship was created by the 1988 Indiana General Assembly to address the critical shortage of Black and Hispanic teachers in Indiana. In 1990 the Indiana General Assembly amended the Minority program to include the field of Special Education, and in 1991 the fields of Occupational and Physical Therapy were added.

Eligibility

To be eligible you must be:

1. A minority student (defined as Black or Hispanic) seeking a teaching certification; or
   A student seeking a Special Education teaching certification; or
   A student seeking an Occupational or Physical Therapy certification.
2. An Indiana resident and an US Citizen.
3. Admitted to an eligible institution as a full time student or already attending as a full time student.
4. Pursuing or intend to pursue a course of study that would enable the student upon graduation to teach in an accredited elementary or secondary school in Indiana.
5. Complete and file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
6. Not be in default on a State or Federally-funded Student loan.
7. Meet all minimum criteria established by the Commission.

In addition, students who are already enrolled in college, must have a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 2.0 on a scale of 4.0 or the equivalent, or meet the minimum GPA requirements established at the college for its school of education, if it is higher.

Colleges are responsible for making the actual awards. Financial need may be considered but it is not a requirement to apply. Preference will be given to minority students and students enrolling in college for the first time. Scholarships are non-transferable between universities.

Renewal Scholarships

Scholars must:

1. Maintain the cumulative minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 2.0 on a scale of 4.0 or the equivalent, or meet the minimum GPA requirements established at the college for its school of education, if it is higher.
2. Reapply each year.

Scholarship Value

The maximum annual scholarship is $1,000. However, if a minority student applicant demonstrates financial need he/she may be eligible to receive up to $4,000 annually. Colleges will determine the actual amount when reviewing a scholar’s financial aid package. Colleges may not reduce a scholar’s state or federal gift (free) financial aid, if any, when awarding the scholarship. The scholarship amount will be divided into semester or quarterly disbursements, the same as other financial aid.

Conditions

Scholars must agree to:

1. Pursue a program which leads to either a teaching or Occupational or Physical Therapy Certification.
2. Complete the Teacher or Occupational or Physical Therapy certification program within six (6) years from the time the first scholarship is received.
3. Teach on a full time basis in an accredited Indiana elementary or secondary school; or
4. Practice in the field of Occupational or Physical Therapy in an accredited school, vocational rehabilitation center, community mental retardation or other developmental disabilities center, for 3 years out of the first 5 years after certification.

Those who fail to fulfill the terms of their scholarship agreements must reimburse the State of Indiana. Applications should be submitted to the Office of Financial Aid at the school where the applicant plan to attend. Applications are available online.

Summer State Work Study Program

This program was created by the Indiana General Assembly to help students earn money for college by encouraging the hiring of students.

To be eligible for this program applicants must:

• have received and used an Frank O’Bannon Grant (formerly the Indiana Higher Education Grant) during the academic year prior to the summer they plan to work;
• not be a graduating senior or graduate before August 31; and
• plan to enroll in the fall following the summer that they participated in the summer work-study program.

NOTE: Only students who receive and use a Frank O’Bannon Grant (formerly the Indiana Higher Education Grant) are eligible for this program. Those interested in applying for the program must apply on line by May 1 of the year proceeding the summer they desire employment. Eligible employers include various state agencies, city and local government offices, private not-for-profit organizations, public post-secondary and private not-for-profit post-secondary institutions. Participating employers make all hiring and salary level decisions.

To learn more about this program, contact the Special Programs Division of the State Student Assistance Commission of Indiana, 150 W. Market Street, Suite 500, Indianapolis, IN 46204.

Indiana National Guard Supplemental Grant

A grant that guarantees up to 100% of certain tuition costs will be met by the State of Indiana for eligible members of the Indiana Air and Army National Guard. The National Guard Supplemental Grant (NGSG) covers only certain tuition charges and does not cover other expenses such as room and board and textbooks. It is subject to available funds.

The grant amounts are based on 30 hours of enrollment per academic year, or 15 hours per semester (or the equivalent at trimester and quarter schools). At colleges that charge by the credit hour, students enrolled in at least 12 but less than 15 credit hours per semester will have their grants reduced if the actual tuition falls below the approved tuition used to estimate the grant. Students at colleges that charge a flat fee for enrollment in 12-15 credit hours will receive the maximum grant amount provided they are enrolled full-time. Note that some colleges charge a flat fee to some students but charge by the credit hour to others if they are enrolled in evening, accelerated, adult, technology state-wide or similar programs.

To be eligible an applicant must be certified by both the State Student Assistance Commission of Indiana (SSACI) and the Indiana National Guard (ING) and attend a state funded college or university: all campuses of Ball State University, Indiana State University, Indiana University, Ivy Tech State College, Purdue University, University of Southern Indiana and Vincennes University and only these schools. It can be used only in the fall and spring semesters and not summer school.

SSACI Eligibility: Applying for the NGSG requires that the FAFSA be filed every year.

• The student must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) so that it is received by March 10th of each year they intend to enroll in college. If necessary, the FAFSA must be corrected to make it error-free by the June 10th receipt date deadline of the filing year. Filing an error-free FAFSA means the student will be automatically considered for state need-based tuition-specific aid including the NGSG. Receipt date deadlines hold for both full time and part time students.
• If the student is determined by FAFSA data to be dependent on their parents for financial support, the student’s parents must be residents of Indiana since at least December 31st of the previous year. If the student is determined to be independent of their parents, the student must be a resident of Indiana since at least December 31st of the previous year.
• SSACI requires that the student must be a high school graduate (including home-schooled students) or have a GED. The ING might have other restrictions.
• The student must be seeking their first associate or bachelor degree at a state college or university. The NGSG cannot be used for graduate school or for professional degrees such as in law.
• Students must use state grants within a ten year period when any state grant (NGSG or other grant) is first used. Students can receive a total of eight semesters of state aid in any combination including any state grants used prior to, after, or concurrently with the NGSG.

National Guard Eligibility: Being certified by the Indiana National Guard means starting at the unit command level and then proceeding to the headquarters or airbase education offices for final approval before the start of classes. Certification must be done for each term of enrollment.

• The student must be in active drilling status. The unit commander is the sole determiner of this status. This applies to each academic term.
• The student cannot have been AWOL at any time during the 12 months prior to their enrollment in college for any academic term. The unit commander is the sole determiner of this status. This applies to each academic term.
• The student must complete all the required ING paperwork and must have all the paperwork approved by the appropriate ING education office before the start of classes. This applies to each academic term. Forms and process differ by ING branch, Air and Army. Students should contact their unit commander for details.
• The student’s name and other pertinent data as required by SSACI must be on an official list submitted to SSACI by the appropriate Air or Army education offices of the ING, usually before classes start each term the student is enrolled.

The Indiana National Guard reserves the right, in cooperation with SSACI, to revoke for cause the NGSG at any time.

If there are questions about Indiana National Guard eligibility and certification, the student should start with their unit commander. If the questions are about SSACI eligibility or tuition charges or financial aid in general, the student should go to the Financial Aid Office of the school they plan to attend or contact SSACI directly at:

State Student Assistance Commission of Indiana
150 W. Market Street, Suite 500
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-232-2350

Part-Time Grant Program

SSACI’s Higher Education Award and Freedom of Choice grant programs are directed at Hoosier students enrolled on a full-time basis. An identifiable percentage of students who are enrolled less than full time have a need for financial aid toward completion of a degree. SSACI established a program that helps degree-seeking part-time students who have demonstrated a commitment to pursuing a higher education at Indiana public or independent colleges. The program was expanded in 2000-2001 to allow students seeking certificates at Ivy Tech State College to receive awards.

This program is designed to encourage part-time undergraduates to start and complete their Associate or Baccalaureate degrees or Certificates by subsidizing part-time tuition costs. It is a term-based award unlike those of Frank O’Bannon Grant (formerly the Indiana Higher Education Grant) Programs (the HEA and FOC Programs), which are offered as full-time annual awards. It is specifically designed to help those undergraduates who are taking at least 3 but less than 12 credit hours per term at an eligible institution. The students must meet State residency requirements, have filed a FAFSA and otherwise qualify for State aid. The part-time grant is a need-based award. The minimum award is per term. Program eligibility is determined at the institutional level subject to approval by SSACI. First priority for the award is given to students meeting certain income guidelines.

Although the award can be granted for all terms in an academic year, it is calculated and awarded on a term by term basis where the number of terms are those subsidized by SSACI in an academic year, ordinarily two or three. The award is calculated in the same way as the basic Higher Education Grant using an 80% tuition subsidy rate. Institutions are allocated a fixed amount of money to award each year.

Child of Veteran and Public Safety Officer Supplemental Grant Program

This program-the CVO Program-provides tuition and fee assistance at public colleges for eligible children of disabled Indiana veterans, eligible children and spouses of certain members of the Indiana National Guard killed while serving on state active duty, and eligible children and spouses of certain Indiana public safety officers killed in the line of duty. As a supplement to other state financial aid, the grant pays 100% of tuition and program related mandatory fees; it does not cover other fees such as room and board.

Students who might be covered under the veterans’ portion of the program are:

• Certain graduates of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Children’s Home
• Children of Purple Heart recipient or wounded veteran
• Children of deceased or disabled veteran
• Children of POW/MIA from Vietnam War

Some program restrictions apply and financial assistance is limited to a maximum number of credit hours. The veteran must meet, or have met, certain Indiana residency requirements, and the child must be the biological child or legally adopted dependent child of the veteran. In addition, the covered student must be regularly admitted as an in-state student to an Indiana public college and must maintain satisfactory academic progress (as defined by the college) while receiving the fee remission. Other restrictions might apply. An application (State Form 20234) is required. It can be obtained from the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA).

Each child must submit an application and re-application is necessary whenever a school is changed. The approved application will be returned to the applicant. It must be presented at the financial aid office of the chosen college in order to receive the fee remission benefit. If the application is not approved, the student will be so notified in writing. The application and supporting documentation must be mailed or delivered to the following address. Faxed documents will not be accepted. If there are questions about eligibility for this program, the student should contact the IDVA at :

Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs
302 W. Washington Street, Rm. E-120
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Voice: (317) 232-3910 or (800) 400-4520
Fax: (317) 232-7721
http://www.in.gov/veteran/

If the questions are about SSACI eligibility or tuition charges or financial aid in general, the student should go to the Financial Aid Office of the college they plan to attend or contact SSACI at the address below.

Please note that all students are required to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year at least two (2) weeks before they start college. This federal government form can be obtained on-line at fafsa.ed.gov or from a high school or college.

Students who might be covered under the Indiana National Guard portion of the program are:

• A child of a member of the Indiana National Guard who suffered a service connected death while serving on state active duty.
• A spouse of a member of the Indiana National Guard who suffered a service connected death while serving on state active duty.

Some program restrictions apply and financial assistance is limited to a maximum number of credit hours. The child must be the biological child or legally adopted dependent child of the veteran. Spouses must have been married to the covered National Guard member at the time of death. Both children and spouses must be regularly admitted as in-state students to a public college and must maintain satisfactory academic progress (as defined by the college) while receiving the fee remission. Other restrictions might apply. An application (State Form 52363) is required. It can be obtained from the Military Department of Indiana (MDI) or from the SSACI.

Each student – child or spouse – must submit an application and re-application is necessary whenever a school is changed. The approved application will be returned to the applicant. It must be presented at the financial aid office of the chosen college in order to receive the fee remission benefit. If the application is not approved, the student will be so notified in writing. The application and supporting documentation must be mailed or delivered to the following address. Faxed documents will not be accepted. If there are questions about eligibility for this program, the student should contact the MDI at:

Joint Forces Headquarters
ATTN: Education Services Office
9301 East 59th Street
Lawrence, Indiana 46216
Voice: (317) 964-7023
Fax: (317) 964-7028
http://www.inarng.org/

If the questions are about SSACI eligibility or tuition charges or financial aid in general, the student should go to the Financial Aid Office of the college they plan to attend or contact SSACI at the address below.

Please note that all students are required to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year at least two (2) weeks before they start college. This federal government form can be obtained on-line at fafsa.ed.gov or from a high school or college.

Students who might be covered under the public safety officers’ portion of the program are:

• A child of a police officer, firefighter or EMT killed in the line of duty, or the child of an Indiana state police trooper permanently and totally disabled in the line of duty.
• A spouse of a police officer, firefighter or EMT killed in the line of duty, or the spouse of an Indiana state police trooper permanently and totally disabled in the line of duty.

The deceased public safety officer must have been killed in the line of duty while a legal resident of Indiana, a public employee of the state, an Indiana town, city, township, or county, and be one of the following:

(1) A regular, paid law enforcement officer;
(2) A regular, paid firefighter;
(3) A volunteer firefighter (as defined in IC 36-8-12-2);
(4) A county police reserve officer;
(5) A city police reserve officer;
(6) A paramedic (as defined in IC 16-18-2-266);
(7) An emergency medical technician (as defined in IC 16-18-2-112); or
(8) An advanced emergency medical technician (as defined in IC 16-18-2-6).

Some program restrictions apply and financial assistance may be limited. Children must be less than 23 years of age, a full-time undergraduate or graduate degree-seeking student, and the biological or legally adopted dependent child of the covered public safety officer. Spouses must be enrolled in a degree-seeking undergraduate program and must have been married to the covered public safety officer at the time of death. Both children and spouses must be regularly admitted as in-state students to an Indiana public college and must maintain satisfactory academic progress (as defined by the college) while receiving the fee remission. Other restrictions might apply.

The completed application (State Form 52020) and all necessary supporting documentation should be submitted to the State Student Assistance Commission (SSACI) at least 30 days before the start of the college term. Each student – child or spouse – must submit an application and re-application is necessary whenever a school is changed. The approved application will be returned to the applicant. It must be presented at the financial aid office of the chosen college in order to receive the fee remission benefit. If the application is not approved, the student will be so notified in writing. The application and supporting documentation must be mailed or delivered to the following address. Faxed documents will not be accepted.

CVO Fee Remission Application

State Student Assistance Commission of Indiana

150 W. Market Street, Suite 500

Indianapolis, IN 46204

Voice: (317) 232-2350 or (888) 528-4719