21st Century Scholars Enrollment:
Best Practices Toolkit

21st Century Scholars is the most generous Indiana aid program to help make that possible. However, only 51% of eligible students in Marion County were enrolled last year. Curious how your school performs on enrollment? Check out the enrollment rates.

As we strive to provide opportunities for all students, we want to share best practices for all Marion County schools. We asked the folks at various schools who had the most success enrolling eligible students (90% or more) for their keys to success, and here they are for you to use:

 

Learning Hub

Marion County school counselors and facilitators can access helpful Indy Achieves instructional videos within EmployIndy’s Learning Hub. Click below for registration information and instructions.


1. Create your list

  • Register on ScholarTrack if you haven’t done so already (and bookmark the site for easy access). Use ScholarTrack to see the status of all of the students from your school.

  • Pull your list off of ScholarTrack and/or your school information system (Powerschool, Skyward, etc.) to check which eligible students still need to enroll.

  • We recommend you focus on 8th grade students who are free or reduced lunch eligible and not yet enrolled in 21CS.

  • Add Esther Woodson from Indy Achieves to your ScholarTrack account for assistance. Email ewoodson@employindy.org with this request.

  • Refine your list monthly by checking new enrollments on ScholarTrack.


2. Get students signed up!

Successful schools are using the digital enrollment form while e-learning is occurring.

Here are some ideas for enrolling your students:

  • TEXT MESSAGES: Message the parents to encourage digital 21st Century Scholar enrollment through Indy Achieves.
    Optional Script (ENG): “Sign your child up for a full tuition college scholarship with 21st Century Scholars by June 30th. Go to bit.ly/21cs2020eng or bit.ly/21cs2020spa. Thanks! <Counselor Name>
    Optional Script (SPA): “Inscriba a su hijo para una beca universitaria completa con 21st Century Scholars. Fecha límite del 30 de junio. Ir a bit.ly/21cs2020spa o bit.ly/21cs2020eng. ¡Gracias! <Counselor Name>

  • SOCIAL MEDIA: Utilize school social media accounts or newsletters to communicate directly to parents. Here are some sample social media posts. See some example posts and images to include in English and Spanish.

  • OFFICIAL LETTER: Send home a letter explaining the importance of the 21CS Program on your school letterhead and include the application worksheet.

  • CO-BRAND: Tie enrollment into existing programming. If a permission slip is required for another school activity, include the application worksheet as well.

  • PHONE CALLS: Call parents/guardians directly at home to see if they need assistance completing their student’s 21st Century Scholar Application.

  • ROBO-CALLS: Set up a robo-call with your principal to announce when application worksheets are being sent home with students.
    Optional script: “While we cannot see you, we have a vision for your future!  All 7th/8th grade families, please text  “college” or “universidad” to 317-597-8068 to begin your application for the 21st Century Scholars Program, a full tuition college scholarship, before the June 30th deadline. Again text “college” or “universidad” to 317-597-8068, to start your application for 21st Century Scholars. You can also go to IndyAchieves.org/21cs to begin your application. Don’t miss out on this opportunity, text 317-597-8068 for your child’s future before June 30th. Standard text message rates apply.”