Four Dubois County Students Among 200 Statewide to Receive Teaching Scholarships

Local Sources –  Four Dubois County students have been named among the 200 statewide recipients of teaching scholarships for the fall.

The Indiana Commission for Higher Education has awarded 200 scholarships to the sixth class of Next Generation Hoosier Educators.

Selected through a competitive process based on academic achievement and additional factors, recipients will receive $7,500 annually (up to $30,000 total) for committing to teach in Indiana for at least five years after graduating college.

From Dubois County, Jasper High School had three student recipients of the scholarship: Grace Weidenbenner, set to attend the University of Southern Indiana, Grant Levy, Oakland City University, and Kaitlyn Henke, Indiana University - Bloomington.

 Northeast Dubois Jr/Sr High School's Nicole Haefling will attend WGU Indiana 

“I want to become a teacher because I have always wanted to make a difference in the lives of kids,” said Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship recipient Ashtyn Shemwell. “Being a teacher will allow me to achieve those dreams and help shape little minds while doing what I truly love.”

A total of 627 students applied for the 2022-23 Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship, a 43 percent increase in submitted applications compared to last year. Applications were received from learners representing 270 high schools in 86 of Indiana’s 92 counties. Additionally, 75 percent of applicants were Indiana high school seniors with the remainder comprised of current college students.

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

“Recipients of the Next Generation Hoosier Educators scholarship will bring dedication, creativity and passion to classrooms across the state,” said Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education Chris Lowery. “Teachers play an important and vital role in preparing students for academic and life success. It’s encouraging to see so many students committed to teaching in Indiana as the number of applicants increases each year.”

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

Students who received the scholarship for the 2022-23 academic year are listed by county here.

Learn more about the Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship here.