Nearly 400 Hoosiers were awarded teaching scholarships from the Indiana Commission for Higher Education.

Eight of them were students from Jackson County.

These scholarships were awarded to the seventh class of Next Generation Hoosier Educators, and the number of scholarships expanded significantly this year due to recent legislation authored by Rep. Robert “Bob” Behning, R-Indianapolis, with bipartisan support from the 2023 Indiana General Assembly.

Selected through a competitive process based on academic achievement and additional factors, recipients will receive $10,000 annually (up to $40,000 total) for committing to teach in Indiana for at least five years after graduating college.

A total of 598 students applied for the 2023-24 Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship. Applications were received from students representing 263 high schools in 88 of Indiana’s 92 counties.

Additionally, 75% of applicants were Indiana high school seniors with the remainder comprised of current college students.

The eight Jackson County students who received scholarships are:

Camryn Thompson from Brownstown Central High School attending University of Southern Indiana

Clare Fitzwater from Brownstown Central High School attending Indiana University Southeast

Alex Schlatterer from Seymour High School attending Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus

Grace Schrader from Seymour High School attending Ball State University

Rylee Ebler from Seymour High School attending Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus

Skyler Shouse from Seymour High School attending Hanover College

Wendi Lopez-Solis from Seymour High School attending Indiana University

Addison Bumbleburg from Trinity Lutheran High School attending DePauw University

To qualify for the scholarship, students had to either graduate in the top 20% of their high school class, earn a score in the 20th percentile on the SAT or ACT or have a least a 3.5 cumulative GPA.

“We are encouraged by the overwhelming support from our legislative partners to grow Indiana’s teaching pipeline by further leveraging the Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship,” said Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education Chris Lowery. “Recipients of this scholarship are driven, passionate and committed to making a positive impact in Hoosier classrooms and communities.”

To continue earning the scholarship in college, students must earn a 3.0 cumulative GPA and complete at least 30 credit hours per year.