Indiana Commission for Higher Education

BRIEF OVERVIEW

RESOURCES

  • Added 10/1/24, Greg Harrell, CHE): Career Coaching Clarifications:
    • In 2023, the Indiana General Assembly appropriated $25 million to the Career Coaching Grant and charged the Commission with implementing it.
    • In June, the Commission selected 28 intermediaries for the Career Coaching Grant.
    • These intermediaries are working with partner schools named in their grant narrative to align to the Career Coaching Framework.
    • The Career Coaching Framework is a menu of career and college readiness activities.
    • The activities are organized by grade band and designed to support students in career exploration, engagement, and experience.
    • Each intermediary has used grant funding to hire career coaches who are working to implement the Career Coaching Framework.
  • (Added 10/1/24, IDOE Update):  Indiana’s Pre-Admissions – Your Path to College Sees Second-Year Increases:  CHE, in partnership with the state’s higher education institutions, sent out pre-admissions letters to over 67,000 Indiana high school seniors this month, informing them of their pre-admission status to the 39 participating in-state public and private institutions based on their cumulative GPA and/or SAT scores. To receive their official admission notification, students must apply to the institutions via the Common App or the institutions’ websites. Students also need to maintain academic performance, maintain positive disciplinary standing, and meet any additional admissions requirements from the institutions. The Indiana Pre-Admissions web page serves as Indiana’s centralized site to access admissions information for Indiana institutions. Furthermore, the web page now refers students to a new centralized military-focused web page which outlines how to join each branch of the military and explore Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) programs at Indiana institutions, as well as One Stop to Start, Indiana’s workforce hub. These web pages will allow high school seniors to plan for enrollment, employment, and enlistment after graduation.
  • (Added 9/23/24):  Career Discovery Meeting Resources – This summer, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education shared resources to support schools in the implementation of Career Discovery Meetings. These resources are linked below:

    Contact the Indiana Commission for Higher Education’s Career Discover Meeting team with additional questions.

  • (Added 9/16/24, Michelle Ashcraft, CHE): Reciprocity for Out-of-State Schools:  This information was previously shared with me by Ross Miller, Director of State Authorization and Reciprocity at the Commission, in response to a similar question. Please let me know if I can connect you further.  Indiana has separate tuition reciprocity agreements with the States of Kentucky and Ohio. Institutional participation in either agreement is voluntary.
    • Kentucky Reciprocity Map 1: shows the institution with the county of residence from which a student could receive in-state tuition.
    • Kentucky Reciprocity Map 2: shows the Indiana and Kentucky counties named in the agreement and the location of the institution.  The Indiana – Kentucky reciprocity agreement is a four-year agreement (2021-25) that allows students residing in specific border counties to receive in-state tuition at specific institutions.
    • The Indiana – Ohio reciprocity agreement is a two-year agreement (2023-25) that allows students residing in ANY of the counties named in the agreement to receive in-state tuition at ANY institution named in the agreement.
    • Here is the list of Kentucky schools.
    • Here is a list of Ohio schools.
    • Here is Indiana Commission for Higher Education information.
  • (Added 8/26/24, Hilary Deardorff, CHE):  Learn More Indiana hopes you are having a great start to your school year! We are excited to announce that it’s time for Indiana College GO! Campaign 2024! The Indiana College GO! Campaign was created for schools across the state to take time to support students and encourage career and college preparedness. During September, we encourage schools K-12 to highlight options available to students after high school whether it is a trade, college, or heading directly to the workforce.
    • #WhyApply Day will be kicking off the campaign on September 20, 2024. Join us in celebrating #WhyApply Day by sharing your reason for applying to college. You can use this printout, to write your “Why” and post a picture of you holding your “Why” to social media with the hashtags #WhyApply and #CollegeGO. Don’t forget to tag us! – Facebook: @LearnMoreIN – X: @LearnMoreIN – Instagram: @LearnMoreIndiana
    • The following week starts College Application Week (September 23)! College Application Week is part of College GO! And is a national initiative of the American College Application Campaign (ACAC). The goal is to help high school seniors navigate the college admissions process and ensure each student submits at least one admissions application.  Many Indiana universities join in the celebration by removing their college application fees for a week or longer so that students can apply for free.  For a full list of schools participating visit: https://learnmoreindiana.org/college-discovery/college-go-initiative/#:~:text=Toolkit%20and%20Example-,College%20Application%20Week,-SEPTEMBER%2023%2D27
    • Indiana will also be participating in ACAC’s School of Excellence Award again! Starting in 2023, Indiana began to recognize one high school to be the recipient of the American College Application Campaign’s (ACAC) School of Excellence Award. This award is given to a school that serves grades nine through twelve and demonstrates a commitment to student success. Nominations for this award are based on College GO! involvement and college applications submitted during the campaign. The winning school excels in providing students with college and career preparation activities and college application support. The winning school is then recognized by ACAC and the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. For additional information visit: https://learnmoreindiana.org/college-discovery/college-go-initiative/#:~:text=of%20Participating%20Institutions-,School%20of%20Excellence%20Award,-Starting%20in%202023  To sign your school up as a participating school, complete the following survey: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7932908/2024-College-GO-and-College-Application-Week-K-12-Site-Survey
    • Interested in learning more about the campaign and how to get involved? Check out the 2024 College GO! Starter Guide. The 2024 Starter Guide is your one-stop-shop for all things College GO!. Equipped with engagement ideas, background info, and helpful links, this guide will make sure your 2024 College GO! campaign is a success! Click here to review the guide: https://learnmoreindiana.org/college-discovery/college-go-initiative/#:~:text=our%20resources%20below.-,Starter%20Guide,-Social%20Media%20Toolkit
  • (Added 8/20/24, Michelle Ashcraft, CHE): As the 2024-2025 academic year gets underway, I wanted to share the best ways to reach out to the Indiana Commission for Higher Education for support.  You may commonly see names from our Academic Affairs, Public Policy, Career and Technical Education (CTE), K-12 Outreach, and Postsecondary Transitions teams on the CounselorTalk. To ensure a rapid and streamlined response from our team, we ask that you contact the Commission through the following paths.  For messages from school and community partners about 21st Century Scholars, other state financial aid, FAFSA, and ScholarTrack, please first e-mail your designated Outreach Coordinator:  https://learnmoreindiana.org/about-us/contact
  • (Added 8/12/24, Jose Medina, CHE): Both career fairs and Career Discovery Meetings (CDM’s) were established in House Enrollment Act 1002. You can find the specific sections on career fairs here and on CDM’s here.  You can also access policy guidance here.
  • (Added 8/6/24):  In collaboration with IDOE over the last several months, CHE has developed the Career Coaching Framework. This framework categorizes activities into Explore, Engage, and Experience components that are developmentally tailored to each grade band. These activities were carefully developed and selected, following rounds of key state stakeholder engagement, to ensure they complement existing career preparation efforts in Indiana.  CHE developed additional resources to assist granted Career Coaches and other career coaching providers in putting the Framework into practice. These include:
  • (Added 3/19/24, CHE): Perkins (CTE) State Plan FY 2024-2027 – The Perkins (CTE) State Plan is now available for review and public comment through April 12, 2024. The draft plan can be accessed at the link below.
  • Draft Perkins (CTE) State Plan

  • Perkins (CTE) State Plan Items:

An Executive Summary highlights key proposed changes within the State Plan. The Executive Summary also shares how the State Plan connects with the Commission’s HOPE Agenda, Indiana’s Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Plan, and a forthcoming CTE Strategic Plan that is planned for release prior to the 24-25 school year.  Public comment can be submitted via this form. Additionally, a webinar is being held on March 20 at 2 PM ET to share information on the State Plan and provide an opportunity for stakeholders to ask questions and provide feedback. Individuals can register for the webinar here.  Your interest and input in Indiana’s goals and priorities related to Career and Technical Education is appreciated. Questions regarding the Perkins State Plan can be shared with our team by contacting CTE@che.in.gov.

(Added 3/6/24, Jose Medina, CHE): You can find guidance and resources regarding Career Discovery Meetings, also called 30-Minute Meetings in this email. Linked below, you can find the following:

Guidance memo meant for high schools, students, and families

A guide on how students can successfully complete a meeting into ScholarTrack

A guide for school users/admin on the new discovery meetings features in ScholarTrack

The brief form for intermediaries, employers, and labor organizations to fill out and submit if they are interested in conducting a discovery meeting at your school

CHE will host a webinar to answer any questions that come up as this is rolled out.

(Added 2/13/24, Michelle Ashcraft, CHE):A recent press release from the Indiana Commission for Higher Education announced applications for the Career Coaching Grant, due Friday, March 1, 2024 at 5 PM ET. More information on the request for proposals can be found at https://www.in.gov/che/requests-for-proposal/. Counselors and/or their school partners may receive additional follow-up from our K-12 Outreach team to ensure that news of this opportunity is shared as widely as possible. Questions should be directed to grants@che.in.gov.

(Added 11/29/23): PRESS RELEASE: State Higher Ed Commission Extends Partnership with University of Indianapolis, INvestEd to Help Indiana Dual Credit Teachers Get Credentials

(Added 11/13/23, Hilary Deardorff, CHE):Hilary Deardorff is recruiting a new Outreach Coordinator to join the Indiana Commission for Higher Education‘s K-12 Outreach Team for our Northwest Indiana region. The Outreach Coordinator for Northwest Indiana facilitates outreach, engagement, and support for programs, policies, and partnerships designed to increase the college-going rate for Hoosier K-12 students and their families. Daily efforts will focus on strengthening the utilization of Indiana’s 21st Century Scholars Award and Frank O’Bannon Grant by increasing FAFSA filing and promoting the Learn More Indiana brand and suite of resources.The region currently includes Lake, Porter, LaPorte, St. Joseph, Newton, Jasper, Pulaski, Starke, Marshall, and Fulton counties. This is a fully remote position, as travel throughout the counties is required. To apply: https://workforindiana.in.gov/job/La-Porte-Outreach-Coordinator-IN-46350/1096407200/

(Added 11/10/23, CHE): Senate Enrolled Act (SEA) 167-2023: FAFSA – Overview During the 2023 legislative session, the Indiana General Assembly passed Senate Enrolled Act (SEA) 167-2023 which requires high school seniors to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or affirmatively opt out of filing by April 15. Completing the FAFSA is an important step in a postsecondary education. Students pursuing short-term certificate training, associate/bachelor’s degrees and even some apprenticeships may receive financial aid by completing the FAFSA.

Tracking FAFSA Completion

High school administrators and counselors can see which students have completed the FAFSA in real-time in ScholarTrack via the FAFSA Completion Project. Additionally, high schools will be able to report the students who choose to opt out and those waived by the high school after April 15 via the Graduation Details upload in ScholarTrack. High schools will not be asked to provide verification of their two attempts to contact students.

The Indiana Commission for Higher Education (Commission) will report the number of students who complete the FAFSA, opt out and are waived by the high school to the Indiana Department of Education for inclusion on the Indiana Graduates Prepared to Succeed Dashboard.

Further, high schools’ FAFSA completion rates can be accessed without logging into ScholarTrack via the Learn More Indiana FAFSA Completion Dashboard which will launch in January 2024.

Model Notice

To assist high schools, the Indiana General Assembly charged the Commission with annually sending a FAFSA model notice that includes:

a statement regarding the existence and availability of the FAFSA

a description that provides students and parents with an understanding of the process for and benefits of completing the FAFSA; and

the state financial aid available to Indiana students.

      • The Commission requests for schools to safelist emails from @che.in.gov and @subscriptions.in.gov so FAFSA communications can be sent directly to students. This will allow the Commission to partner with counselors and educators on FAFSA outreach.
    • Opting Out Students who do not wish to file the FAFSA may opt out in one of the following ways:
      • a parent/guardian of the student submits a FAFSA Waiver Form certifying the student understands what the FAFSA is and declines to complete it;
      • the student, if the student is an emancipated minor or is at least 18 years old, submits a signed waiver certifying the student understands what the FAFSA is and declines to complete it; or
      • the high school principal or counselor of the student waives the requirement due to not being able to reach the family of the student by April 15 after at least two reasonable attempts.
    • The FAFSA Waiver Form will be released on an annual basis on the opening day of the FAFSA. However, the Commission will release this year’s waiver early due to the United States Department of Education delaying the release of the 2024-2025 FAFSA until December 2023. The waiver may be found at https://www.in.gov/che/state-financial-aid/state-financial-aid-by-program/.
    • Questions: High school partners may send questions to schools@che.in.gov or to their Regional Outreach Coordinator.
  • (Added 10/2/23, Michelle Ashcraft, CHE): Sometimes a student does not have an SAT score entered into ScholarTrack. In order to be matched to more than three institutions, students must have both a GPA and SAT score entered into the system. (For those who did not take the SAT, a 0 score can be entered.) GPAs were reported to ScholarTrack by schools and CHE uploaded SAT scores from the Indiana Department of Education. The Outreach Coordinators have been regularly reaching out to pre-admissions contacts to get missing information updated, as the deadline for updates approaches. Missing information can be entered as part of Graduation Details in ScholarTrack (like GPAs and diploma types). If you need assistance, please contact your Outreach Coordinator. Also remember , pre-admissions does not preclude students from applying to schools they are interested in applying to, especially as we do have some institutions that are not participating. That is why we listed all institutions at https://learnmoreindiana.org/preadmit/.
  • (Added 9/7/2023 CELL’s Counselor Lunch & Learn Series): Indiana Pre-Admissions Discussion with the Indiana Commission of Higher Education.
  • (August 1, 2023:): CHE launched a new planning tool for the Indiana College Core. The site, My College Core, allows students, families and school counselors to access information regarding college-level coursework, including dual credit, dual enrollment, Advanced Placement (AP) and College-Level Examination Program (CLEP). Students who utilize the tool can build plans that are specific to the college-level coursework offered at their high school. The tool also allows students to communicate their plans with parents/guardians and school counselors. As students complete coursework they can track their progress toward completing the Indiana College Core certificate.
  • (CounselorTalk, May 2023): Indiana Pre-Admissions: Your Path to College:
    • Graduation Details reporting for 21st Century Scholars and non-Scholars who are earning an Academic Honors Diploma will be due via ScholarTrack by June 15, 2023 for the high school class of 2023.
    • Additionally, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (CHE), in partnership with Indiana’s colleges and universities, is pleased to unveil the Indiana Pre-Admissions: Your Path to College initiative, a statewide pre-admissions initiative which kicks off with the high school class of 2024. This exciting opportunity will inform Hoosier high school seniors about their choices for education and training beyond high school in Indiana and share various resources to help make the costs of participation more manageable.
      • Students will be pre-admitted to participating Indiana colleges and universities based on 6th semester GPA and/or SAT eligibility criteria as set by the individual institutions.
      • SAT scores will be provided by the Indiana Department of Education to CHE.
      • 6th semester GPAs will be provided by high schools via the Graduation Details portal in ScholarTrack. The deadline is June 15, 2023.
      • For the inaugural year, high schools must opt in for their students to participate.
      • High schools can confirm their participation by completing this Pre-Admissions Form no later than May 26, 2023.
      • In August 2023, students who attend participating high schools will first be notified about the Indiana Pre-Admissions: Your Path to College Initiative via a mailing.
      • In September 2023, ahead of College Application Week, students and their parent(s)/guardian(s) will receive letters listing the colleges and universities to which the students have been pre-admitted. The letters will also promote FAFSA completion and state financial aid opportunities.
      • Students will then be directed to apply to the institutions through the Common App or through institutional websites and prepare for filing the FAFSA. This will be done via a dedicated page on the Learn More website that will go live with the release of pre-admissions letters in September.
    • Comprehensive virtual trainings on Graduation Details and the Indiana Pre-Admissions: Your Path to College initiative can be found on the Learn More Indiana YouTube channel.
    • Questions regarding Graduation Details can be directed to CHE’s regional Outreach Coordinators. View the Outreach Coordinator map to find your designated contact. Additional support is available through HighSchools@che.in.gov.
    • Questions regarding Indiana Pre-Admissions: Your Path to College can be directed to PreAdmissions@che.in.gov.
    • Participating institutions of higher education will not receive the actual GPAs or SAT scores for students from the high schools that opt in to pre-admissions. Rather, we will utilize ScholarTrack for student matching based on students having met the criteria for GPA and/or SAT that institutions have set. Further, a list of students who meet the criteria will be shared with institutions, but it will only be enough biographical information for institutions to match the students to their student information systems. The only way that institutions will have GPA and SAT information is if students take the next step to apply to the institution(s) and choose to share GPA and/or SAT via the application process or submitting transcripts.
    • Additionally, School Users and School Admins in ScholarTrack from participating high schools will have access to a list of students that includes each student’s pre-admitted institutions.
  • CHE Staffing/Contact Updates:
    • Michelle Ashcraft: Associate Commissioner for K-12 Strategy
    • Hilary Deardorff: Director of K-12 Outreach (supervises the regional Outreach Coordinators)
    • McKalaih Mitchell: Director of K-12 Program Implementation.
    • The designated points of contact for school partners are the regional Outreach Coordinators. Their contact information can be found on the Learn More Indiana website and via the Outreach Map.
    • School-based support central email: highschools@che.in.gov.
  • The Indiana Commission for Higher Education Education Value Movement work.

SHARED WISDOM

  • (Added 10/2/23): Q – Does anyone know if school counselors have access to the pre-admission letters through Scholar Track?  I heard we would have access in mid-September. A- There is a report called PreAdmissions in there.

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