COVID-19

Following measures from Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb and the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus and COVID-19, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education is adhering to guidance but will continue to maintain operations, including the financial aid support center, which Hoosiers can reach by calling (888) 528-4719 or emailing awards@che.in.gov.

Guidance & FAQs

As Indiana continues to monitor the impact of the novel coronavirus and COVID-19, the Commission has prepared guidance for institutions of higher education to ensure they have preparedness measures in place to handle this evolving situation. The Commission will continue to publish ongoing updates, as new directives are shared by Gov. Holcomb and ISDH.

• Indiana's Response to COVID-19

• COVID-19 Guidance

• Transfer and Applicability of Courses Guidance

• COVID-19 FAQs

• CARES Act Educational Provisions

Indiana Institutions of Higher Education

The Commission will continue to work with the state’s public and private postsecondary institutions to stay up-to-date with changing statuses. A compiled list of the state’s public college web pages pertaining to campus status follows:

• Ball State University: https://www.bsu.edu/coronavirus

• Indiana State University: https://www.indstate.edu/covid-19

• Indiana University: https://coronavirus.iu.edu/

• Ivy Tech Community College: https://www.ivytech.edu/coronavirus

• Purdue University West Lafayette: https://protect.purdue.edu

• Purdue University Fort Wayne: https://www.pfw.edu/coronavirus

• Purdue University Northwest: https://www.pnw.edu/covid-19

• University of Southern Indiana: https://www.usi.edu/covid-19

• Vincennes University: https://www.vinu.edu/covid-19-information-resources

Private Institutions: More information about how the 30 members of Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI) are responding can be found on their websites.

Proprietary Institutions: More information about how Indiana’s proprietary institutions, authorized by the Board for Proprietary Education, are responding can be found on BPE's website.

Rapid Recovery for a Better Future

We’ve got your back so you can move forward. Rapid Recovery for a Better Future is Indiana’s people-focused initiative providing resources and support for Hoosiers affected by the pandemic to secure education, training, as well as skills and career coaching, and increasing access to quality jobs.

In addition to workforce training, Rapid Recovery for a Better Future is also committed to helping Hoosiers take their next step in finding a job, securing emergency aid, childcare support or food assistance. Your Next Step starts here.

21st Century Scholars & Online Instruction

With the new school year beginning, families have questions about school options and the 21^st Century Scholars program. Indiana law requires that students be enrolled in an accredited Indiana middle school or junior high school to enroll in the 21^st Century Scholars Program while in 7^th or 8^th grade. Law also requires that students graduate from an accredited Indiana high school in order to be eligible for the 21^st Century Scholarship after graduation.

If your current school corporation is offering online or virtual classes, your Scholar is still enrolled in that school, so nothing with the scholarship will change.

If you choose to withdraw your Scholar from their current school, some online schools are still eligible for 21^st Century Scholars. Indiana Connections Academy, Indiana Connections Career Academy, Indiana University High School, and Insight School are some eligible online schools. You can check with the Indiana Department of Education on their website https://inview.doe.in.gov/ to see if other online schools are considered an eligible Indiana school.

If you choose to homeschool without enrolling in an accredited Indiana online school, your child could be in jeopardy of losing their scholarship.

News

The Commission is committed to sharing the ongoing efforts of Indiana's system of higher education to address emerging needs in light of the pandemic.

• COVID-19 Media Overview

• Press Release: Indiana Higher Education Commission Provides Resources for Institutions, Students & Parents Amid COVID-19 Closure

• Podcast: “Our College, Your Voices” podcast with Ivy Tech Community College

• IndyStar Op-ed: Higher education plays role in Indiana’s coronavirus recovery plan

• Press Release: State Awards Over $135,000 to Support Graduating High School Seniors

Resources

The Commission is actively gathering resources and guidance for students and families regarding digital access, financial assistance and financial aid.

• Visit LearnMoreIndiana.org/students-families/COVID-19 for ongoing updates and additions.

• Parents of K-12 students are encouraged to utilize resources on LearnMoreIndiana.org, including classroom materials and resources for students and families by age group.

• LearnMoreIndiana.org also includes information about Indiana’s 21st Century Scholars program.

• The Learn More Indiana Blog offers helpful information for students learning in a virtual environment.

Please follow these additional sources for information related to COVID-19.

• Follow Gov. Holcomb on Twitter @GovHolcomb or review all of Gov. Holcomb’s Executive Orders and Stay-At-Home Order FAQ

• Follow the Indiana State Health Department on Twitter @StateHealthIN or call the ISDH 24/7 help line at 877-826-0011

• Follow the US Department of Education on Twitter @usedgov

This webpage was last updated on August 4, 2020.