County to Pick up Tuition Tab
Most classes involved with Advantage Shelby County will be held at the Ivy Tech campus at the city's Intelliplex development.
Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA new program is offering free college for Shelby County students. Leaders behind Advantage Shelby County believe it is the first program of its kind in the state. Beginning next year, county high school graduates will have their Ivy Tech Community College expenses covered if they pursue degrees in Advanced Automation and Robotics Technology, Business Administration, General Studies or Transfer General Education Core. Shelbyville Mayor Tom DeBaun says Advantage Shelby County could be "transformational" for students, college attainment levels and talent development.
Ivy Tech Central Indiana Chancellor Kathleen Lee says the program can help keep Shelby County students who may have otherwise chosen to leave the area.
The pathways were selected through input from industry, city council and county council representatives. Advantage Shelby County will "largely" receive funding through Indiana Grand Racing and Casino revenue.
The program will be largely funded by the City and County from revenue generated by the Indiana Grand Racing and Casino. Community leaders expect to lock in final documents and procedures for the program over the next few weeks. The program also includes a mentorship component.
Eligibility requirements include:
- county residency
- 2016 graduate of a Shelby County high school, home school program or high school equivalency diploma
- minimum 2.0 GPA
- full-time Ivy Tech enrollment maintaining a 2.0 GPA and meeting satisfactory academic progress
- minimum of 10 hours of community service per semester