The Knox support site of the 21st Century Scholars is closing its doors effective June 30. The Knox site supports students in Starke, Pulaski, Jasper and Fulton counties.
The 21st Century Scholars Program was initiated to ensure that every student who wanted to go to college could afford to do so. Income-eligible seventh and eighth grade students who enrolled in the program and fulfilled a pledge of good citizenship could receive tuition up to four years at any participating public college or university in the state.
The Regional Coordinator at the Knox site, Kelly Manning, said that even though the support site is closing, the scholarship will still be available.
“The promise of the scholarship is still there for the students, just not the support from the support sites,” said Manning.
There is still time to apply for a scholarship, but the deadline is quickly approaching! June 30 is the last day applications will be accepted online at www.scholars.in.gov.
Manning says the Knox site gave the students several different kinds of support.
“We offer an array of support services from helping with college applications, financial aid assistance as far as filling out the FAFSA, scholarship applications, helping students find the right career for themselves and picking the right college,” explained Manning. “We also encourage them and help them through their high school years with tutoring, mentoring and helping them be the best student.”
With the loss of local support sites, the 21st Century Scholars Office will now hire eight 21st Century Scholar Regional Outreach Coordinators who will be in charge of promoting college readiness and academic success for students. One coordinator will be responsible for all students enrolled in the program in Lake, Porter, LaPorte, St. Joseph, Marshall, Starke, Fulton, Pulaski, Jasper and Newton Counties.
Manning said it will be hard to close the door to the office that has supported many local students.
“It’s been a pleasure to serve the counties of Starke, Pulaski, Jasper and Fulton and the thousands of students that have been touched by our office here. We’ve had many great staff over the years. It hasn’t been a job for me, it’s been a mission,” Manning said.
