Indy Standard

Local student Isabelle Wilkinson from Attica High School has been awarded the Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship, as announced by State Representative Matt Commons of Williamsport. This scholarship program, which began in 2016 through legislation by the Indiana General Assembly, provides a renewable scholarship of up to $10,000 annually, with a total potential of $40,000. It is available to high-achieving students who commit to teaching in an eligible Indiana school for five years.

This year saw a record 1,091 applications for the 2025-2026 scholarship period, with nearly 300 scholarships granted. "As a teacher, I see the need to encourage more educators to lead our classrooms and help our students succeed," said Commons. "With a program like this, more talented young Hoosiers can pursue a path to teaching without the added burden of higher education costs."

To qualify for the scholarship, students must graduate in the top 20 percent of their class or earn at least a score in the 20th percentile on standardized tests like the SAT or ACT. Alternatively, they may have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

For those interested in applying for future scholarships when they open in the fall, more information can be found at LearnMoreIndiana.org/nextteacher. Inquiries can be sent to NextTeacher@che.in.gov.