INDIANAPOLIS — The Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation announced Wednesday it awarded $7.5 million in grants to five Marion County public school corporations.
The foundation said this is to help address the "challenges" students and their families face as they navigate the college process.
These grants are part of "College Matters: Reversing the Trend," which is the second stage of the foundation’s $14 million College Matters initiative to encourage more Marion County students to enroll in college.
The following Marion County public school corporations are receiving grants:
- Franklin Township Community School Corporation – $1.5 million
- Indianapolis Public Schools – $1.5 million
- MSD of Warren Township – $1.47 million
- MSD of Wayne Township – $1.5 million
- Victory College Prep – $1.5 million
The foundation said all of these school corporations received $20,000 grants earlier this year to create four-year plans to increase college enrollment. With the new funding awarded, the school corporations will start implementing their plans during this school year and through the next two school years. In addition, the school corporations will use part of the funding to develop long-term sustainability plans.
“Without access to the proper resources and support, applying for college and obtaining financial aid can seem daunting and even unattainable for students,” said Claire Fiddian-Green, Fairbanks Foundation president and CEO. “Our goal for College Matters is to remove barriers so more students can apply to and enroll in college, ultimately empowering them to achieve their academic and career aspirations.”
The foundation said only 48% of Marion County's 2022 high school graduates enrolled in college.
“We’re proud to support local schools seeking to bolster efforts to encourage and assist their students in applying for and attending college,” said Kami Nielsen, senior program officer for the Fairbanks Foundation. “Education beyond high school contributes to better quality of life outcomes, increased civic engagement, and improved financial sustainability. By focusing efforts on students who are less likely to enroll in college, we hope to reduce existing racial and socioeconomic disparities and increase educational attainment.”
