Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Commission for Higher Education is currently accepting applications for the Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship, which provides up to $40,000 in financial aid to aspiring teachers.
“Many of us have a story about a great teacher who changed their lives for the better, and Indiana is eager to have more of these inspirational leaders in our classrooms,” said Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education. “The Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship supports aspiring teachers by making college more affordable, so students can focus on their education and gain the knowledge and skills they need to make a lasting difference for Hoosier students.”
High-achieving high school and college students who plan to teach in Indiana for at least five years can receive up to $10,000 per year of college (up to $40,000 total) from the scholarship. Students must apply by Feb. 28, 2026, via ScholarTrack.IN.gov.
To qualify for the scholarship, students must meet one of the following academic requirements:
• Rank in the top 20% of their high school graduating class;
• Or have a top 20th percentile score on the ACT (25) or SAT (1120);
• Or have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Now in its 10th year, the Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship aims to strengthen Indiana’s teacher pipeline. Nearly 90 percent of scholarship recipients from the inaugural cohort are still actively teaching in an Indiana classroom or continuing their education beyond a bachelor’s degree. Additionally, 1,091 students applied for the scholarship last year, a 15-percentage point increase from the previous year’s 945 applicants.
To continue earning the scholarship while in college, students must annually file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), earn at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA, and complete at least 30 credit hours. Additionally, current college students who apply must be able to use the scholarship for at least two full academic years.
The Commission will notify applicants of their scholarship status via email in April 2026. Visit Learn More Indiana for more information and follow #NextTeacher on social media to stay updated on scholarship announcements.
Questions can be directed to NextTeacher@che.in.gov.
