After graduating from East Chicago Central High in 2005, I received free tuition to Indiana University Bloomington because I was a 21st Century Scholar. In high school, I enjoyed being a cheerleader, and worked at McDonald’s to start getting my financial footing. But flopping burgers wasn’t my long-term goal. Instead, my life-long dream of becoming a teacher to small children – and that required a college degree. I signed up for 21st Century Scholars, and that required me to keep my grades up and to stay engaged with the educational process. And those requirements set me up for success! The scholarship encouraged me to work hard and become the best student possible. I was always aware that in order to acquire the funds to pursue my education, I would need to achieve high academic marks. Looking back on my experience, I’d tell myself that if I want to have life-long success, it starts now! “Girl, keep those grades up!!”

While I was in college, this tuition scholarship gave me a sense of security for the future of my college career. This security was essential to my college success. The scholarship was also a driving force in creating good study habits both in high school and college.

College was my path to acquire permanent success. I knew that taking a few years to earn a degree would give me a head start in life and provide me opportunities that I may not receive without a degree. 21st Century Scholars was my path to make my degree a reality and to let me live out my dream as a teacher.

I graduated in 2009 with a bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education and am now a teacher back home in Lake County with the School City of Hammond.

Talk to your guidance counselor today to find out how to keep this scholarship today. You will reap the benefits of hard work now for the rest of your life. If you keep it, 21st Century will literally pay for your tuition to attend all 4 years. After you graduate, you will have knowledge and a degree that no one can EVER take away from you. After that it’s only UP!! PLEASE TAKE ADVANTAGE of this program while you can! It will bless your life!