21st Century Scholars bill receives more bipartisan love in House

INDIANAPOLIS—A bill to enroll every eligible student in a complete scholarship program saw success upon its third reading in the Indiana House. 

Authored by Rep. Earl Harris Jr., D-East Chicago, House Bill 1449would automatically enroll students in the 21st Century Scholars program, which awards students with a full scholarship to any Indiana state university.

In the House Education Committee, the bill received full support. In Ways and Means, it passed 24-0. In front of the full House, representatives were just as excited about it. 

Harris said he often gets questions from parents of children who are juniors in high school, asking for advice on how to afford college. By that time, they’ve missed the deadline. 

Rep. Robert Behning, R-Indianapolis, a co-author of the bill, said that Indiana’s program performs better than similar programs in other states. 

“Twenty-First Century Scholars at our two-year institutions are twice as likely to graduate on time as compared to those in the Tennessee Promise [scholarship program],” Behning said.

Behning said the bill also expands options for foster children, and there is an opt-out option for parents who do not wish to participate. 

Democratic representatives also spoke in support of the bill. 

Rep. Renee Pack, D-Indianapolis, said she saw the need for the bill in her local school district. 

“I am so excited about this bill,” Pack said. “When we returned to in-person school in my school district, what we found out is that we had a significant number of students, seniors, who were not on track to graduate.” 

To combat this, the district created a team to supervise and track the students in need of additional support. With this supervision, Pack found out that many students simply never signed up for the 21st Century Scholars program.

“There were many students who could qualify for the 21st Century Scholarship assistance but for whatever reason, when they were in eighth grade, their parent did not have them signed up,” Pack said. “So, they’re missing out on a huge, huge opportunity and what this legislation does is it says yes to those students who qualify that want to go to school, that want to be college educated, that want great futures for themselves.”

Rep. Pat Boy, D-Michigan City, also shared her excitement, calling it a “wonderful bill” and a great opportunity for students. 

Despite voting to pass the bill, Rep. Jim Lucas, R-Seymour, said he has issues with the graduation rates of the scholarship’s recipients. He said he thinks it is concerning that taxpayers are paying for the scholarship when some don’t graduate and give the state what Lucas feels is a “return” on taxpayer investments. 

“We need to start thinking about personal responsibility on people that we’re trying to help because we’re giving free money to these people and we have to chase them down to give it to them,” Lucas said. “And the results are not that good.” 

Rep. Chuck Moseley, D-Portage, kept his reply short, simply saying, “It’s not free money, it’s taxpayers’ money.” 

Rep. Cherrish Pryor, D-Indianapolis, clarified that 37% of the students in the program graduate on time, and 58% of students graduate within six years. She said these numbers are higher than those of the average student population. 

In a media availability after the House meeting, Minority Leader Phil GiaQuinta, D-Fort Wayne, shared that he “really appreciated” the work Harris has made on the bill, stating that he sees it as a major need in the state. 

“We need to shore up our college students and make sure that they stay here,” GiaQuinta said. “I think this bill … will help tremendously.” 

HB 1449 passed the House Chamber unanimously.

A bill to create a workforce training program to help the unemployed also saw unanimous support in the House. 

If passed completely, House Bill 1160, authored by Rep. Edward Clere, R-New Albany, would require the office of Family and Social Services to establish a training program to help those who are unemployed or underemployed, and also those with intellectual disabilities. 

The bill passed its third reading with a vote of 92-0.