Indy Standard

As a former educator, I know it's becoming more common for Hoosier high school students to look for training options and careers outside of obtaining a traditional college degree. So how do we make sure they're prepared for the next steps after graduation? Indiana now offers opportunities for these students to obtain real-world experiences while still in school with the help of a Career Scholarship Account.

The Indiana Commission for Higher Education’s most recent College Readiness Report shows the number of Hoosiers pursuing a college degree or workforce certification fell from 65% in 2015 to 53% in 2020. In March 2021, the U.S. economy added 916,000 jobs, but the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported less than 1% of those jobs were for workers with only a high school diploma.

That's why it's important to recognize not every student's journey involves attending traditional college and support ways that help students hit the ground running upon graduation no matter what path they choose.

Career Scholarship Accounts offer a great way for high schoolers to get experience, skill up and earn credentials before graduation. These scholarships are available to students in 10th, 11th, and 12th grades, and they can receive up to $5,000 to access qualified training opportunities and certain qualified expenses including:

- Class expenses for student's apprenticeships/internship program;

- Postsecondary education and/or training;

- Equipment for student's apprenticeship/internship program;

- Certification and credentialing examinations;

- Career coaching and navigation services;

- Driver's license; and

- Transportation.

These scholarships are a great opportunity for our students to have a positive impact on local businesses as well. By connecting young Hoosiers with the tools and training they need to succeed early on, more of them will have the experience and skills that so many employers are looking for. This means that more local businesses will have a close and readily available stream of reliable, talented workers.

Approved courses and classes include a variety of topics like accounting, carpentry, cybersecurity, information technology, software development, and veterinary science. A full list of approved courses, educational experiences, and participating entities can be found at in.gov/tos/csa.

To learn more about Career Scholarship Accounts and enroll before the Oct. 1 deadline, visit in.gov/tos/csa, email CSA@tos.in.gov or call 317-232-0723. If I can be of any assistance, visit my website at in.gov/h54 or call 317-232-9600.

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