IPS seniors with 3.0 GPA now automatically admitted to Indiana University

Some seniors graduating from Indianapolis Public Schools will be automatically admitted to the Indianapolis campus of Indiana University as part of a new program to help boost college access.

Starting this fall, seniors who maintained a 3.0 GPA or higher will just have to fill out a short form online, rather than apply and pay an application fee, to attend IU Indianapolis — currently known as Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis.

“This partnership fosters a sense of belonging and inclusivity,” IPS Superintendent Aleesia Johnson said during an event at Crispus Attucks High School to announce the program. “It tells our students that their potential is valued and supported by our broader community.”

In the coming months IPS students who meet the requirements will be notified that they qualify for automatic admission for the fall 2024 semester.

The seamless admissions initiative will be led by Indiana University Indianapolis, IPS and local nonprofit EmployIndy. It is funded by J.P. Morgan’s New Skills Ready Network Initiative which aims to improve rates of college enrollment.

“We've done a lot of work to connect our systems and to connect students to make it possible to go to college to make a higher education more relevant, more valuable and literally more accessible.” said PJ Woolston is the vice chancellor for Enrollment Management at IU Indianapolis. “And this is a very concrete way that we are working to do that.”

Of all 2020 Marion County high school graduates, only 49.2 percent enrolled in college. And those numbers have sharply declined in the last ten years. Indiana ranks 43rd nationally in post-secondary attainment, with only 29 percent of adults over age 25 having a Bachelor’s degree.

Contact WFYI Marion County education reporter Sydney Dauphinais at sdauphinais@wfyi.org.