Case Study
Partner Profile

21st Century Scholars: Holistic coaching supported Indiana scholarship recipients to stay on track to completion

The Opportunity

The Indiana Commission of Higher Education (ICHE) aimed to reduce inequities in retention and graduation rates by providing paid college tuition through the 21st Century Scholarship Program, geared toward aspiring degree seekers whose families met income eligibility requirements. However, when the program fell short of expectations, it became evident that a comprehensive approach to support — beyond financial incentives — was needed to reduce the systemic barriers that learners face along their educational journey.

21st Century Scholars: Holistic coaching supported Indiana scholarship recipients to stay on track to completion

The Opportunity

The Indiana Commission of Higher Education (ICHE) aimed to reduce inequities in retention and graduation rates by providing paid college tuition through the 21st Century Scholarship Program, geared toward aspiring degree seekers whose families met income eligibility requirements. However, when the program fell short of expectations, it became evident that a comprehensive approach to support — beyond financial incentives — was needed to reduce the systemic barriers that learners face along their educational journey.

21st Century Scholars: Holistic coaching supported Indiana scholarship recipients to stay on track to completionarrow

The Solution

The ICHE collaborated with InsideTrack to provide success coaching to all freshmen 21st Century Scholars at five campuses across three school systems. The coaching program was tailored to lean into each learner’s momentum toward graduation by identifying the next steps on their journey and connecting to their motivation. When faced with challenges, coaches supported learners to capitalize on their skills and strengths while ensuring they had access to their college’s resources.

The Solution

The ICHE collaborated with InsideTrack to provide success coaching to all freshmen 21st Century Scholars at five campuses across three school systems. The coaching program was tailored to lean into each learner’s momentum toward graduation by identifying the next steps on their journey and connecting to their motivation. When faced with challenges, coaches supported learners to capitalize on their skills and strengths while ensuring they had access to their college’s resources.

Proven Results

+
34
%
increase in retention rate at Ivy Tech
+
77
%
increase in two-year completion rate at Ivy Tech
0

The Impact

The collaboration between the ICHE and InsideTrack fueled retention gains across all five partner institutions. For example, Ivy Tech saw a 34 percent increase in the retention rate for 21st Century Scholars — from a historic average of 36.9 percent to a new high of 49.5 percent. There was also a 77 percent increase in the two-year completion rate for these students, rising from 13 percent to 23 percent.

For these 21st Century Scholars, the stronger likelihood of credential completion means greater economic opportunity and social mobility — opening doors to meaningful employment. Coaching supports students to find and leverage their own strengths to create a brighter future for themselves and their families.  

The Impact

The collaboration between the ICHE and InsideTrack fueled retention gains across all five partner institutions. For example, Ivy Tech saw a 34 percent increase in the retention rate for 21st Century Scholars — from a historic average of 36.9 percent to a new high of 49.5 percent. There was also a 77 percent increase in the two-year completion rate for these students, rising from 13 percent to 23 percent.

For these 21st Century Scholars, the stronger likelihood of credential completion means greater economic opportunity and social mobility — opening doors to meaningful employment. Coaching supports students to find and leverage their own strengths to create a brighter future for themselves and their families.  

InsideTrack coaches have all been very well trained to build close working relationships with students, help them establish their educational goals and then support them through any challenges that arise in the achievement of those goals.

Joshua Powers

Associate Vice President for Student Success at Indiana State University

Learn more about how the collaboration between the Indiana Commission of Higher Education and InsideTrack enhanced degree attainment for 21st Century Scholarship recipients.

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