Scholarships Now Open for Future Indiana Teachers

Indiana students dreaming of a career in the classroom have a new opportunity to make that goal a reality. Applications are now open for the Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship, a statewide program offering up to $10,000 a year for four years to aspiring teachers who commit to working in Indiana schools after graduation.

State Representatives Bob Heaton of Terre Haute and Tim Yocum of Clinton announced the launch of the 2026–2027 application cycle this week, highlighting the scholarship’s ongoing role in strengthening the state’s teaching pipeline.

“This scholarship provides the financial support needed for students to confidently step into the classroom,” Heaton said. “It’s a win for them and a win for every Hoosier student they’ll teach.”

Investing in Tomorrow’s Classrooms

Created by the Indiana General Assembly in 2016, the scholarship encourages top students to pursue teaching careers in their home state. Recipients can earn as much as $40,000 toward their degrees in exchange for teaching full-time for at least five years at an eligible Indiana school.

The idea, Heaton explained, is to make teaching a financially viable and rewarding path for young Hoosiers. “It’s an investment that pays dividends for generations,” he said.

Rep. Yocum added that the scholarship program helps ensure the state continues to attract bright, dedicated educators.

“Indiana needs passionate, committed teachers,” Yocum said. “This program makes sure we have them—it’s an investment in our schools, our communities, and our kids.”

Who’s Eligible to Apply

The scholarship is open to Indiana high-school seniors and current college students who plan to major in education. Applicants must:

• Graduate (or have graduated) from an Indiana-accredited or non-accredited nonpublic high school
• Rank in the top 20 percent of their class, score in the top 20 percent on the ACT or SAT, or maintain at least a 3.0 GPA
• Plan to attend a full-time Indiana college or university and pursue teacher licensure

Students must also agree to teach in Indiana for five years after graduation or repay a prorated amount of the scholarship.

Priority is given to high-school seniors, though college freshmen and sophomores are also encouraged to apply.

How and When to Apply

Applications for the 2026–2027 academic year are available now through the Indiana Commission for Higher Education’s ScholarTrack portal at scholartrack.che.in.gov. The deadline to apply is January 31, 2026, and applicants will be notified of their scholarship status by April 2026.

Those with questions can email the Commission directly at [email protected].

Last year, interest in the program reached an all-time high. More than 1,000 students applied—nearly triple the number from earlier years—with close to 300 scholarships awarded statewide.

Strengthening Support for Educators

In 2023, lawmakers voted to expand the scholarship by raising the annual award from $7,500 to $10,000 and removing the previous 200-recipient cap, ensuring more students could benefit.

Recipients must keep a 3.0 GPA, complete 30 credit hours each year, and file the FAFSA annually to remain eligible. In some cases, students can even use the funds during summer coursework if they are pursuing their degree part-time.

The commitment doesn’t just help individual students—it bolsters entire communities by ensuring classrooms are filled with qualified, motivated teachers.

A Long-Term Investment in Indiana’s Future

The Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship has quickly become one of Indiana’s most meaningful tools for building a strong education workforce. By rewarding academic excellence and a commitment to serve, the program helps keep top talent in state—and in the classroom.

Heaton said the impact goes far beyond tuition assistance. “This scholarship rewards hard work and dedication while strengthening the teaching profession in Indiana,” he said.