We are proud to present this first-ever annual report on the CICF Collaborative’s scholarship activity for 2023, including from the cornerstone entities in the collaborative: CICF, the Indianapolis Foundation, Hamilton County Community Foundation, and Women’s Fund of Central Indiana.
This report includes critical data such as total scholarship money awarded, impacted student populations, schools attended, and more. But this report goes beyond data. We are offering what we hope are valuable perspectives on the ever-changing world of post-secondary education and its associated costs, especially as it impacts young people and families in Central Indiana. That includes:
- An argument for added post-secondary pathways, including two-year associate’s degrees and Vocational, Trade and Technical programs (known as VO-TECH, also called CTE, or Career & Technical Education).
- A real-dollar examination of the way costs have evolved for students
- Testimonials from scholarship winners and members of our community
- Expert advice on how to make the most of your fundholder experience
But first, it is no secret: Post-secondary enrollment in our state has fallen. Earlier in 2024, data released by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (ICHE) showed a multiyear decline of post-secondary enrollment, peaking in 2009 at 67% and now stalled at 53% for the years 2020, 2021 and 2022. That compares to a national holding pattern of about 62% for the same three years.
In 2022, the ICHE commissioned Vox Global to conduct a survey of opinion on higher education in our state to unpack reasons for the decline. Respondents included students, parents, teachers and the general Hoosier population.
Vast majorities agreed on three main points:
- 84% felt that “college is too expensive”.
- And while 82% reported feeling favorable towards higher education overall, they are divided about the need for a 4-year degree versus a 2-year degree.
- Not surprisingly, nearly three-quarters reported feeling “overwhelmed” when sorting through all their options for education and financial assistance.
With the help of donors like you and in-house scholarship experts, our philanthropic collaborative is uniquely suited to address all three points:
- Over the past year, you contributed nearly $2 million in scholarship awards through your generous giving—a high water mark for fundholders with the Collaborative (see report for details). That total was awarded to 178 individual recipients.
- We have elevated two-year associate’s degrees and technical/career programs to students and families who need a post-secondary pathway beyond a traditional four-year degree.
- And with a single online application portal— translated into three languages and offering access to a total scholarship portfolio of more than 120 separate awards—we are becoming a one-stop shop for post-secondary financial assistance in Central Indiana and beyond.
Thanks to your generous support, we were able to fund 10% of all applicants, empowering them with the resources they need to pursue their dreams. For every student we helped, though, many other qualified applicants remain.
While some may find funding elsewhere, some will face a difficult choice: take on debt through private loans or, for some, set aside their dreams of a post-secondary education. With your help, we can change that. Your gift can open doors, ease burdens, and create more opportunity for those who need it most.
Ambition, character, and hard work should be all a student needs to continue their education after high school. When we make that possible, it benefits our Central Indiana young people while promoting a better Hoosier state. Thanks to your generosity, this record-breaking year of scholarship support has already changed lives. With your help, we are ready to do even more. Join us in fueling students’ ambition, breaking barriers, and investing in the next generation of Hoosier scholars.
