4/29/2009 2:30:00 AM Gov. Mitch Daniels signs bill authored by Sen. Boots
INDIANAPOLIS - With a few strokes of his pen, Gov. Mitch Daniels sent opportunity for higher education throughout Indiana classrooms thanks to State Sen. Phil Boots' legislation increasing visibility of Indiana's Twenty-First Century Scholars Program.
With House Bill 1389 signed into law, more students will become aware of a program helping Hoosiers attend college.
House Enrolled Act 1389, sponsored by Boots (R-Crawfordsville), requires each Indiana school corporation to provide students in sixth, seventh and eighth grades applying for free and reduced lunches with enrollment forms for this program. Help completing the forms will also be offered. Eligible students and their parents must complete and return an application by June 30 of each junior high year.
"The chance to attend college is the opportunity of a lifetime," Boots said. "Regardless of the financial hardships Hoosiers may face - qualifying students should be rewarded for their hard work and citizenship."
Indiana's Twenty-First Century Scholars Program provides income-eligible students who maintain a 2.0 grade-point average and remain drug free a four-year education to state universities. Students must enroll as a full-time student at an eligible Indiana college, meet other financial aid requirements and file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Boots said annual enrollment in the program - currently ranging from about 7,500 to 10,600 students - may be increased if more eligible Hoosier students and their families become aware of the enrollment deadline and the required pledge:
I will graduate with an Indiana high school diploma from a charter school, freeway or other Indiana school recognized by the Indiana Department of Education;
I will achieve a cumulative high school GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale;
I will not use illegal drugs or alcohol, or commit a crime;
I will apply for admission to an eligible Indiana college, university or proprietary school as a high school senior;
I will apply on time for state and federal financial aid; and
I understand that I must be an Indiana resident (as determined by the permanent residence of my parent or legal guardian), a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
"We are working to make more students aware of program requirements and deadlines so that they can take advantage of this important educational opportunity," Boots said.
Sen. Boots represents Senate District 23, which includes Montgomery County, Fountain County, and portions of Boone, Clinton, Warren and Hendricks counties.
The Paper of Montgomery County 101 W. Main St. Suite 300 | P.O. Box 272 Crawfordsville, IN 47933 Main: (765) 361-0100 • Classifieds: (765) 361-8888 • Fax: (765) 361-1882
