• reduce the number of students who withdraw from high school before graduation
• increase the number of students who are prepared to enter the workforce upon graduation
• increase the number of low-income students entering colleges, universities and technical schools
• decrease drug and alcohol use by encouraging higher education pursuits
• increase individual economic productivity
• improve the overall quality of life for Indiana residents

Services provided by the East Central Region of Twenty-first Century Scholars:

• mentoring through regular scholar meetings held at school
• summer seminar opportunities which include focus on academics, service-learning, leadership, personal development, recreation and cultural activities
• visits to colleges, universities and technical schools throughout Indiana
• assistance with college planning and financing a college education

How does the Twenty-first Century Scholars program work?

• Indiana students who are in the seventh or eighth grades and meet income guidelines, can enroll as a Twenty-first Century Scholar. The student and parent fill in a short application to enroll.
• Once the student has become notified that s/he is eligible to be a scholar, support services are provided to the student by the East Central Region Office.
• In the student's senior year, he or she signs an affirmation which secures tuition from the State of Indiana for up to eight semesters of postsecondary education at participating Indiana colleges, universities or technical schools.