The Indiana Commission for Higher Education is accepting applications for the Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship, which offers up to $40,000 in financial aid for aspiring teachers who commit to teaching in Indiana for at least five years after graduation.
Created in 2016, the program provides up to $10,000 per year in scholarship funds to high-achieving high school seniors and college students pursuing a teaching degree, according to information provided by Indiana Sen. Jeff Raatz. Applicants must be ranked in the top 20% of their high school class, and have a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or score in the top 20% on the SAT or ACT.
This year, the scholarship drew 1,091 applicants, a 15% increase from 2024. The program was expanded in recent years to allow leftover funds to support Transition to Teaching scholarships for career changers entering education.
Applications for the 2026 award cycle close Jan. 31, 2026, with recipients to be notified in April.
More information and the application form are available at LearnMoreIndiana.org/NextTeacher. Constituents with questions can contact Sen. Jeff Raatz’s office at 800-382-9467 or through the “Contact Me” form at IndianaSenateRepublicans.com/Raatz.
A version of this article appeared in the November 19 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.