(INDIANAPOLIS) – The Indiana Commission for Higher Education is accepting applications for the 2020-2021 School and Community Partnership Grant until September 18. These grants are designed to bring together K-12 schools, postsecondary institutions, employers and community organizations to plan and implement supportive efforts for students of all ages to complete education and training beyond high school.
The School and Community Partnership Grant is designed to support collaborative efforts of the state’s college and career readiness priorities, including:
- Completing the 21st Century Scholars’ Scholar Success Program and maintaining academic eligibility with at least a 2.5 grade point average;
- Family engagement programming, including enrollment in the 21st Century Scholars program and promotion of the state’s Next Level Jobs program; and
- Pre-college and postsecondary professional development, focused on Indiana’s college achievement gap.
“We know we must encourage both graduating high school students and adults to access higher education if we want to meet the state’s goal of 60 percent of Hoosiers with a quality degree or credential by 2025,” said Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education Teresa Lubbers. “These grants will help develop strategies and efforts to reach that goal.”
Funding for the School and Community Partnership Grant is made possible through Indiana Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP). Led by a team of staff from Purdue University and the Commission, one of the primary goals of Indiana GEAR UP is to increase the number of students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education.
A total of $80,000 is available for the fall/winter grant cycle. Eligible applicants can apply for up to $5,000 for programming. If the partnership directly supports an Indiana GEAR UP cohort high school, the award amount is increased to $10,000. Preference will be given to applications that focus on developing sustainable support for students and families at one or more of the 11 Indiana GEAR UP partner schools (listed below).
Additional points will be awarded for narrative that supports high-need focus areas, including completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and career exploration, as well as 21st Century Scholar enrollment, Scholar Success Program completion and adult student engagement. New this award cycle, priority will be given to activities that are offered virtually (or can be modified to safely to offer in-person gatherings).
Indiana GEAR UP Cohort High Schools
- Arsenal Technical High School
- Charlestown High School
- Crawford County High School
- Jefferson High School
- Jeffersonville High School
- Kokomo High School
- Maconaquah High School
- Muncie Central High School
- Purdue Polytechnic High School (Downtown)
- Warren Central High School
- West Side Leadership Academy
For more information about the School and Community Partnership Grant, visit https://learnmoreindiana.org/scholars/alumni-partners/.
