Last Updated on March 8, 2019 by cassnetwork
KOKOMO, Ind. — Applications are being accepted from seniors at 12 area high schools for a new scholarship aimed at rewarding graduates who are earning the Indiana Governor’s Work Ethic Certificate (GWEC) along with their diploma. One student from each of these 12 schools will be selected to receive a $1,250 scholarship to attend Ivy Tech Community College this fall.
The scholarship, known as the Ivy Tech Sycamore Scholars Program, is made possible through an endowment to support Ivy Tech students set up by the Sycamore Recreation Association from the proceeds of sale of the former Delco Park on East Sycamore Road in the late 1990s.
The competition is open to students in the 12 school corporations within Ivy Tech’s Kokomo Service Area that are participating in the Governor’s Work Ethic Certificate initiative. These include Eastern, Lewis Cass, Logansport, Maconaquah, North Miami, Northwestern, Peru, Rochester, Taylor, Tipton, Tri-Central, and Western.
Scholarship applications must be submitted by April 2 and awards will be announced April 8. To receive one of the scholarships, applicants must be participating in the Work Ethic Certificate program (and successfully complete it) and must intend to enroll (and ultimately enroll) at Ivy Tech locations in Kokomo, Logansport, Peru, or Rochester as a full-time student this fall.
Applications are available at each school. Questions may be directed to Angie Martin, director of Financial Aid at Ivy Tech Kokomo (apolk5@ivytech.edu or 765-252-5484.)
“The Governor’s Work Ethic Certificate program was established to encourage students to learn the basic work skills that Hoosier employers expect in their employees and increase student marketability in pursuing college or a career,” said Dean McCurdy, chancellor of Ivy Tech’s Kokomo Service Area, which includes Cass, Fulton, Howard, Miami, and Tipton counties. “We are happy to be able to recognize students who earn this certificate with scholarships that will cover half the cost of tuition and fees for a full semester of study at Ivy Tech.”
Under the approval of the Governor’s Workforce Cabinet, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development awards the GWEC to “recognize the invaluable currency of ‘employability skills.’” The program is structured to connect employers to their local school district through a College and Career Readiness Advisory Council (comprised of local educators and employers), establishing a fundamental, collaborative partnership for this program and continued alignment between the business community and the education system.
Ten criteria have been established by employers and educators to determine eligibility for the Work Ethic Certificate. These criteria are based upon attendance, community service, overall grade point average, organization, punctuality, respectfulness, and teamwork.
Through the program, employer partners agree to offer guaranteed interviews, increased base pay, industry tours, tuition reimbursement, and other incentives in order to recruit these students. Dozens of employers in the five counties served by Ivy Tech Kokomo are participating in this initiative. A full list of participating employers in Indiana can be found at https://www.in.gov/dwd/3187.htm .
SOURCE: News release from Ivy Tech Community College Kokomo Region