Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) students will soon have a simpler way to apply for approximately $100,000 annually in financial assistance for college or postsecondary training as a result of a new scholarship program being launched by the IPS Foundation.
The IPS Foundation Scholarship Program consists of funds available for students at each of the four district-managed high schools, along with those that award accomplishment or future interest in specific career and extracurricular areas. Students attending IPS Innovation Network high schools are also eligible to apply.
These funds were previously under the oversight of various departments and schools throughout the district. IPS and the Foundation worked to consolidate these historic scholarship funds to better streamline and leverage the collective impact of the original scholarships and accomplish more for IPS students.
The Foundation partners with IPS to ensure students have the resources and support they need to succeed.
“The IPS Foundation is thrilled to have this opportunity to impact the lives of so many IPS students as they move on to successfully start their postsecondary education,” said Stephannie Bailey, the Foundation’s chief executive officer.
To find out more, students and their families can go to https://www.ipsfund.org/ipsf-scholarship-application.
“This effort to consolidate scholarship funds and make them more readily available to all IPS students means more IPS students will be able to access certifications and degrees without carrying debt,” said Melody Coryell, executive director of postsecondary readiness for IPS.
Coryell noted that Hoosiers receiving a bachelor’s degree, associate degree, or certifications earn an average of $22,000 more per year than those who earn a high school diploma alone.
“In this environment, it’s increasingly important that IPS students complete the FAFSA application and apply for scholarships, as well as take advantage of their school’s supports for planning their path to a fulfilling life of their choosing,” she said.
The IPS Foundation Scholarship Program consists of funds available for students at each of the four traditional high schools within the district, along with those that award accomplishment or future interest in specific career and extracurricular areas. Students attending IPS Innovation Network high schools are also eligible to apply.
The first application cycle with the foundation launches soon. The window to apply for scholarships opens Feb. 1 and closes March 29. The awardees will be announced in May and awards will be presented at the annual IPS Honors event.
For more information, go www.ipsfund.org