credit completion requirements - learn more...

CollegeCreditCompletionRequirements

Themostcost-effectivedegreeisanon-timedegree.Thisisespeciallytruefor21stCenturyScholarsbecauseyourfinancialaidislimitedtofouryears.

21stCenturyScholarsmustcompleteatleast30creditseachacademicyearinordertoreceivethefullscholarshipaward.The fullawardcoversupto100%oftuitionandmandatoryfeesat IndianapubliccollegesandaportionoftuitionandmandatoryfeesatIndianaprivateandproprietarycolleges.ScholarswhocompletefewercreditsmaybeeligiblefortheFrankO’BannonGrant(about35%oftheamountyouwouldhavereceivedbyearningthefullaward).Visithttp://www.in.gov/che/4498.htmformoreinformation.Thenumberofcreditscompletedwillbeevaluatedattheendofeachacademicyear,whichtypicallyincludesfall,springandsummertermsattraditional-semestercolleges.The tablebelowshowshowthenumberofcreditscompletedeachyear relates to theawardamountScholars would be eligible to receive at an Indiana four-year public college the following year,dependentuponfinancialneed.

21stCENTURYSCHOLARSHIPAWARD

ApproximateAwardAmountataFour-Year

PublicCollege

CollegeCreditsEarnedatEndofAcademicYear

FullAward 100%oftuitionandmandatoryfees 30+credits

FrankO’BannonGrant $3,700orless 24-29credits

NoAward $0 23orfewercredits

Creditamountsarebasedontraditionalsemestercalendars.Ifyouattendauniversitythatusestrimestersorquarters,talktoyourfinancialaidofficeaboutthecredithourequivalentatyourschool.

TipsforStayingOnTrack

• Take15tofinish.Completing15creditseachsemesteristhesimplestwaytoearn30creditsayearandtostayontracktoearnyourdegreeontime.Justremember:“15tofinish!”

• Complete your courses.Completed credits refer to classes inwhich youearnapassing lettergradeofDorhigher.Classesthatyoufail(F),withdrawfrom(W),orreceiveanincompletein(I)donotcounttowardthecreditcompletionrequirement.

MoreTipsforStayingonTrack

• Get ahead with dual credit and AP. College credits completed in high school (through dualcreditorAdvancedPlacementcourses)counttowardthecreditcompletionrequirement.Checkwithyourcollegeadvisortomakesurethesecreditshavebeenappliedtoyourcredittotal.

• Use the summer! Credits completed during the summer term count toward the completedcredittotalfortheacademicyear.Youcanchoosetodeferaportionofyourscholarshipforuseduringthesummertermtohelpyoupayforsummerclasses.Contactyourcollegefinancialaidofficefordetails.

• Plan remediation carefully. Up to 12 credits of remedial courses taken to brush up on yourmath or English skills can count toward the 30 credits-per-year completion requirement,providedtheremedialcreditsareearnedduringyourfirstyearofcollege.Ifyouarerequiredtotake remedial courses, talk to your academic advisor about other options, such as a “co-requisite”model,whichallowsyoutoearncreditstowardgraduationwhilehoningyourskills.

• Catchuponcreditsifyoufallbehind.Ifyoudon’tearnthefullscholarshipawardinaparticularyearyoucanearnyourwayback intotheScholarsprogrambycompleting30credithoursthefollowing year. For example, if you earn 28 credits your first year, but earn 30 credits yoursecondyear,youwillbeeligibletoreceiveyourfullscholarshipyourthirdyear.

• Ask for help if disaster strikes. If you don’t meet the credit completion minimums you canappeal tohaveyourawardamount reinstated if youhavespecial circumstances like illnessordeathinthefamily.

• Don’t forget the rest. In addition to the annual credit completion requirement, you mustcontinue to honor the 21st Century Scholars Pledge, meet all financial aid (FAFSA) filingrequirementsanddeadlines,maintainIndianaResidency,enrollinatleast12creditsduringthefall and spring semesters (full-time) and fulfill your college’s Satisfactory Academic ProgressstandardstomaintainScholarshipeligibility.

• Talk to campusprofessionals. Work closelywith your collegeadvisor and financial aidofficebeforemakingdecisionsregardingenrollmentanddropping/addingcourses.

Questions?Callusat1-888-528-4719orsendanemailtoScholars@che.in.gov