This summer, eligible Indiana high school students can earn college credits for free at Ivy Tech Community College.
For the fourth consecutive year, Ivy Tech’s 19 campuses across Indiana will offer free tuition and textbooks to high school students. To qualify, students must be Indiana residents at any high school in the state – including eighth-graders entering ninth grade in the fall, graduating seniors, homeschool students and students at adult high schools. Courses are available from Ivy Tech’s 70 academic programs.
“As Indiana’s talent pipeline, Ivy Tech recognizes that summer is a great time to help students pursue in-demand careers,” said Sue Ellspermann, Ivy Tech president, in a press release. “We’re proud to offer free summer courses to students in our communities across the state so they can get a jump start on their college and career goals.”
This initiative seeks to give students a boost in exploring career options while saving time and money. It also aims to increase college enrollment rates among Indiana's youth. Research indicates high school students earning college credits are more likely to enroll and graduate.
The free summer program complements Crossing the Finish Line, a similar state program. The Crossing the Finish Line initiative helps students who are just a few credits away from completing a credential do so at Ivy Tech or Vincennes University for free during the summer.
“Indiana ranks first in the nation for students who are earning college credit before they even receive their high school diploma,” said Katie Lash, Ivy Tech vice president of K-14 and strategic initiatives “Free summer courses are part of our mission to ensure more young people leave high school with a plan to earn industry-aligned credentials and degrees quickly and at minimal expense to them and their families.”
Over 4,000 high schoolers participated in free Ivy Tech courses last summer. More information about the program and enrollment is available here.
Ivy Tech Community College has campuses throughout Indiana and serves thousands of students annually online. It offers associate degrees, long- and short-term certificate programs, industry certifications and training. Ivy Tech has multiple locations in Northwest Indiana.
