The 21st Century Scholars is a statewide financial aid program that provides up to four years of undergraduate tuition and fees for eligible low-income students at Indiana colleges and universities.

On time completion rates for black and Hispanic students have increased across public colleges by five percent in five years as well, but gaps remain.

A new initiative plans to enroll 500 new high school students in a state-sponsored college scholarship program for low-income students.

Through the program, students can get as much as four years' tuition at an Indiana public university or a comparable amount to go to a private school.

Indiana's 21st Century Scholar program offers income-eligible Hoosier students up to four years of full tuition at certain Indiana colleges. In 2014-2015 school year, the number of 21st Century Scholars taking and completing 30 credit hours per year increased by 23 percent at four-year colleges and 24 percent at two-year colleges.