Economists and teachers believe educating our youth will be the key to long-lasting prosperity and a catalyst to pull the United States out of its economic depression.
But what about the adult work force that is struggling to raise those children? The key to their success may be the exact same thing — continuing education.
The state of Indiana, through Community Action of Southern Indiana, is providing assistance for adults to obtain education beyond a high school diploma.
The Education Development Account program provides $250,000 for 40 local families — $5,000 per family — to assist in paying for continuing education.
Three agencies statewide have been chosen to test the pilot program, one being Community Action in while the other two agencies are located in Marion and Muncie.
Each agency will receive the same dollar amount — to assist 40 families in its area — donated by the private Lumina foundation. The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority also provided $250,000 to the program.
The only requirement for the adults to qualify is that they are parents or guardians of children in the 21st Century Scholars program.
The offer even extends to those parents of children that are no longer part of the program because of graduation. The parents can still qualify, said Billy Sue Smith, Southern Indiana regional support site coordinator for the 21st Century Scholars program.
The 21st Century Scholars program — beginning in sixth grade through eighth grade — provides students the opportunity for a free, in-state college education.
The scholars are required to maintain a cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale to remain eligible for the program. In addition, the students must not use illegal drugs, alcohol or commit a crime and be a resident of Indiana, according to the State Student Assistance Commission of Indiana Web site.
The program is provided for individuals in middle- to low-income families. The income requirements for 2008-09 allow for the maximum household income for a family of two to be $25,900. For each additional family member, the amount increases $6,660.
Education Development Account is a three-year program. As part of the program, the adult learners are required to participate in financial management training. The program also will include mentoring and tutoring assistance.
“Because it is a pilot program, each agency was a little different in how they were going to initiate the program,” said David Kaufmann, policy manager for the Indiana housing authority.
To disperse the $5,000 per family, Community Action of Southern Indiana is matching the funding saved over three years at a two-to-one ratio, up to $600 per year. The money matched over three years would equal $3,600, with the remaining $1,400 out of the $5,000 budget being given away as incentives.
The total dollar amount that could be raised by the families involved — their savings plus the money matched by Community Action with incentives — would equal $6,800.
For adults that can’t afford to get an advanced degree even with the program’s help, they are not excluded from seeking other forms of financial assistance.
“They can continue to get financial aid or Pell grants,” said Marilyn Warren, self-initiative and self-development coordinator for Community Action. “This [Education Development Account funding] goes over and above that money.”
Continuing education includes anything over a high school diploma. Trade schools, certificate programs and traditional bachelor’s degrees qualify.
The state housing authority is hoping to add another three to five agencies to implement the program, but it is dependent upon the success of raising additional funding, Kaufmann said. To expand, it is looking for an additional $1 million in private or federal funding.
The determination of the program’s success will rest on the improved educational attainment of the parent and the child. In addition, improved financial literacy, money management and credit improvement will be considered in evaluating the Education Development Account.
Community Action already has more than 20 families participating in the program and is looking for more participants to fill out its ranks, Smith said.
It is working with residents of Clark, Floyd and Harrison counties to find people who qualify. Community Action will not limit participants to the three counties, but will hold meetings locally, at which they expect the participants to attend, Warren said.
Meetings have already been held at Indiana University Southeast and Ivy Tech. The program is slated to begin July 1, with an orientation scheduled for July 13.
“They don’t have to be in school at this time, they just have to be in school in six to 12 months,” Warren said.
The goal for the program is to use the 21st Century Scholars program to energize parents of the students to improve their situation.
“What we’re hopeful in understanding and identifying are the aspirations of youth will transcend generations and help to lift the vision of adults in the household,” Kaufmann said. “We hope to see these adults watching their kids to perhaps go to school ... endeavor in a better job [and] build a better situation and better wealth.”
Those interested should call 800-992-2076 or 812-288-6451.
21ST CENTURY SCHOLARS PROGRAM
• The scholars are required to maintain a cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale to remain eligible for the program. In addition, the students must not use illegal drugs, alcohol or commit a crime, and be a resident of Indiana, according to the State Student Assistance Commission of Indiana Web site.
Clark County
June 17, 2009
Community Action of Southern Indiana program aimed at higher ed
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