Indiana · 2026

Fully Funded Scholarships at Indiana Commission for Higher Education, Indiana 2026

Indiana Commission for Higher Education oversees a broad statewide higher-education agenda in Indiana that spans academic affairs, budget and finance, data and research, adult strategy, student success initiatives, policy, and state financial aid resources. Its work reaches students, families, schools, colleges, and universities across the state through programs, guidance, reporting, and online services tied to college access, affordability, and completion. The Commission’s financial-aid portfolio includes named state programs such as the Mitch Daniels Early Graduation Scholarship, a one-time $4,000 award for students who graduate from a publicly supported Indiana high school at least one year early. That program illustrates the agency’s role in setting eligibility standards, defining timelines, and coordinating with other state entities. For this scholarship, the Commission requires Indiana residency and legal settlement in the state for at least the last two semesters before high school graduation, attendance at a publicly supported high school on a full-time equivalency basis for those same final two semesters, completion of at least a Core 40 diploma by the end of grade 11, and enrollment as a full-time, degree-seeking student at an eligible institution by the fall term immediately following graduation. The scholarship may be applied to tuition and fees, with remaining funds remitted to the student, and it cannot be used for remedial coursework. Beyond this single award, the Commission’s structure shows a statewide mission that connects financial aid administration with academic policy, institutional oversight, student success efforts such as 21st Century Scholars and Next Level Jobs, and public-facing resources including ScholarTrack, counselor guidance, and higher-education reports. The organization operates as a central Indiana state government body shaping how residents prepare for, finance, and move through postsecondary education.

FAQ

What does the Indiana Commission for Higher Education oversee?
The Commission oversees statewide higher-education work in Indiana across academic affairs, budget and finance, data and research, adult strategy, student success initiatives, policy, and state financial aid resources.
What is the Mitch Daniels Early Graduation Scholarship?
It is a one-time $4,000 scholarship for students who graduate from a publicly supported high school at least one year early. Funds may be used toward tuition and fees, and any remaining amount is remitted to the student. The award may not be used for remedial coursework.
Who is eligible for the Mitch Daniels Early Graduation Scholarship?
Eligible students must be Indiana residents and U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens, must have had legal settlement in Indiana for at least the last two semesters before high school graduation, must have attended a publicly supported high school full time for those final two semesters, must have earned at least a Core 40 diploma by the end of grade 11, must not have enrolled in any part of a fourth year of high school, and must enroll full time in a degree-seeking program at an eligible institution by the fall term immediately following graduation.
How do students apply for the Mitch Daniels Early Graduation Scholarship?
Students must submit a complete and clean FAFSA and complete the Mitch Daniels Early Graduation Scholarship application in ScholarTrack. For 2026 high school early graduates, the 2026–2027 application deadline is August 31, 2026.