Indianapolis, IN — The Indiana Commission for Higher Education is accepting applications for the fall/winter School and Community Partnership Grant until October 21.
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 focused on three main college and career readiness priorities:
- Completing the 21st Century Scholars’ Scholar Success Program and maintaining academic eligibility with at least a 2.5-grade point average;
- Family engagement programming focused on college and career readiness, including enrollment in the 21st Century Scholars program and the Workforce Ready Grant; and
- Pre-college and postsecondary professional development focused on Indiana’s college achievement gap.
“Indiana’s employers, community organizations, higher education institutions, and K-12 schools play an integral role in increasing our state’s attainment rate,” said Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education Chris Lowery. “The School and Community Partnership Grants encourage collaboration within communities to encourage learners of all ages to pursue education beyond high school.”
Grant funding 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 and funding is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Eligible applicants can apply for up to $10,000 for programming. Proposals for more than $5,000 must directly serve students from participating Indiana GEAR UP cohort high schools. Preference will be given to applications that focus on developing sustainable support for students and families at one or more of the Indiana GEAR UP partner high schools.
Additional points will be awarded for narratives that support high-need programming areas, including career exploration, completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), closing college achievement gaps for minority and low-income Hoosier students, 21st Century Scholar enrollment, Scholar Success Program completion and adult student engagement. Additional consideration will be given to applicants who commit to integrating the Scholar Success Program activities into school programming for all students, both Scholars and non-Scholars.
Questions regarding the grant application process can be submitted to [email protected].
(Indiana Commission on Higher Education press release)
