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INDIANAPOLIS — There is a significant deadline for a local program that really gives students a leg up in paying for college.
Seventh and Eighth graders may qualify for free college tuition.
In case you missed those public service announcements, RTV6 is here to remind you. You have until June 30th to fill out an application to be a 21st Century Scholar. Your family must meet income eligibility requirements, but if you don't apply, you can't receive those benefits.
"We want more students to take advantage of that. One thing we do know, college is gonna get more expensive," Esther Gamble, the manager of student progress at Indy Achieves, said. "We want to be able to help those first-generation college students that are going on to a two- or four-year college here in the state of Indiana to be able to help with that tuition."
Fourteen-year-old Ryann McMillan's mother, Devon Wilson, made sure she was signed up.
"Yes, this opportunity does alleviate some of the fears associated with the rising cost of college. Absolutely," Wilson said.
Wilson's daughter will be attending Riverside High School in the fall and has her sights set on an excellent high school education followed by Indiana University after that.
"I want to be a musician," McMillan said. "The money will be huge weight lifted off my shoulders, and I can mainly focus on my musical degree."
While in school, McMillan will have to maintain a 2.5-grade point average on a four-point scale. She says she'll be able to handle that.
Gamble says she was in the first class of 21st Century Scholars and she graduated from Indiana University in 1995.
21st Century Scholars also pledge not to use illegal drugs or alcohol or commit to crimes or criminal acts while in school.
