IPS seniors with 3.0 GPA or higher can now be automatically admitted to IU Indianapolis

Caroline Beck, Indianapolis Star
·2 min read
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Indianapolis Public Schools high school seniors who have a 3.0 GPA or higher can be automatically admitted to Indiana University Indianapolis starting this school year.

The new initiative aims to boost college-going rates by taking away barriers to applying for college such as application fees, said IPS Superintendent Aleesia Johnson.

“This is an important step to give more students the opportunity to pursue higher education,” said Johnson in a news release. “By eliminating deadlines, application fees or the need for a transcript, we hope this new initiative will give more students the chance to go to school right here in Indianapolis.”

This new initiative applies to high school students at IPS’s four flagship high schools: Arsenal Tech, Crispus Attucks, Shortridge, and George Washington.

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Students who have the qualifying grades will now only have to fill out a short online form to be admitted to IU Indianapolis. The first of these students could start at the college in the fall of 2024.

Beginning this school year, any qualifying IPS student will receive an email and postcard letting them know about the “opt-in” admissions process. IU admissions counselors will visit the participating high schools this fall to help students with the process.

This new initiative is being funded by the New Skills Ready Network initiative by JPMorgan Chase & Co., which provided $7 million to Indianapolis to help give underserved students access to higher education and real-world work experiences.

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This initiative is the latest move from state leaders to help boost Indiana’s college-going rate, which has been in a steady decline for several years.

Indiana high school seniors are also now expected to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, by April 15 thanks to a new law passed earlier this year.

Contact IndyStar reporter Caroline Beck at 317-618-5807 or CBeck@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter: @CarolineB_Indy.

Caroline’s reporting is made possible by Report for America and Glick Philanthropies. As part of its work in Marion County, Glick Philanthropies partners with organizations focused on closing access and achievement gaps in education.

Report for America is a program of The GroundTruth Project, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening local newsrooms. Report for America provides funding for up to half of the reporter’s salary during their time with us, and IndyStar is fundraising the remainder.

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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IU Indianapolis IPS partnership allows for automatic college admission