Ind. Code ch. 21-12-4

Ind. Code ch. 21-12-4
in effect

Ind. Code § 21-12-4-1 Freedom of choice program; establishment

Sec. 1. The freedom of choice grant program is established. The commission shall administer the freedom of choice grant program. [Pre-2007 Higher Education Recodification Citation: 20-12-21-15 part.] As added by P.L.2-2007, SEC.253.

Ind. Code § 21-12-4-2 Eligibility

Note: This version of section effective until 7-1-2027. See also following version of this section, effective 7-1-2027. Sec. 2. A person is eligible for a freedom of choice grant if: (1) the person is qualified for a higher education award under the terms of IC 21-12-3-1, IC 21-12-3-2, and IC 21-12-3-3 or IC 21-12-3-4, even if lack of funds prevents the award or grant; (2) for a freedom of choice grant awarded before September 1, 2014, the person has a financial need that exceeds the award, as determined in accordance with: (A) this chapter, IC 21-18.5-4, IC 21-12-2, and IC 21-12-3; and (B) the rules of the commission; and (3) the person will attend an approved postsecondary educational institution that: (A) either: (i) operates in Indiana, provides an organized two (2) year or longer program of collegiate grade directly creditable toward a baccalaureate degree, is operated by a nonprofit entity, and is accredited by a recognized regional accrediting agency or the board for proprietary education under IC 21-18.5-6; or (ii) is a hospital that operates a nursing diploma program that is accredited by the Indiana state board of nursing; and (B) is operated privately and not administered or controlled by any state agency or entity. [Pre-2007 Higher Education Recodification Citation: 20-12-21-15 part.] As added by P.L.2-2007, SEC.253. Amended by P.L.107-2012, SEC.19; P.L.281-2013, SEC.13.

Ind. Code § 21-12-4-2 Eligibility

Note: This version of section effective 7-1-2027. See also preceding version of this section, effective until 7-1-2027. Sec. 2. A person is eligible for a freedom of choice grant if: (1) the person is qualified for a higher education award under the terms of IC 21-12-3-1, IC 21-12-3-2, and IC 21-12-3-3 or IC 21-12-3-4, even if lack of funds prevents the award or grant; (2) for a freedom of choice grant awarded before September 1, 2014, the person has a financial need that exceeds the award, as determined in accordance with: (A) this chapter, IC 21-18.5-4, IC 21-12-2, and IC 21-12-3; and (B) the rules of the commission; and (3) the person will attend an approved postsecondary educational institution that: (A) either: (i) operates in Indiana, provides an organized two (2) year or longer program of collegiate grade directly creditable toward a baccalaureate degree, is operated by a nonprofit entity, and is accredited by a recognized regional accrediting agency or the commission for higher education under IC 21-18.5-6; or (ii) is a hospital that operates a nursing diploma program that is accredited by the Indiana state board of nursing; and (B) is operated privately and not administered or controlled by any state agency or entity. [Pre-2007 Higher Education Recodification Citation: 20-12-21-15 part.] As added by P.L.2-2007, SEC.253. Amended by P.L.107-2012, SEC.19; P.L.281-2013, SEC.13; P.L.152-2026, SEC.248.

Ind. Code § 21-12-4-3 Renewal of grant; conditions

Sec. 3. Freedom of choice grant renewals are governed by the same conditions as are set forth in IC 21-12-3-9. [Pre-2007 Higher Education Recodification Citation: 20-12-21-16.] As added by P.L.2-2007, SEC.253.

Ind. Code § 21-12-4-3.5 Requirement to meet with intermediary, employer, or labor organization; background check; waiver; annual report

Sec. 3.5. (a) As used in this section, "intermediary" has the meaning set forth in IC 21-18-1-3.5. (b) As used in this section, "labor organization" has the meaning set forth in IC 22-6-6-5. (c) Except as provided in subsection (g), a student who receives a grant under this chapter shall, during the: (1) first undergraduate academic year that the student receives a grant under this chapter; and (2) third undergraduate academic year that the student receives a grant under this chapter; meet with at least one (1) intermediary, employer, or labor organization for not less than thirty (30) minutes to discuss current and future career opportunities and the necessary education levels for various careers. (d) For purposes of subsection (c), a student may meet only with an intermediary, an employer, or a labor organization that is included on the list prepared under IC 21-18-19-1. (e) The meeting required under subsection (c) must occur at a time and place convenient for the student. The approved postsecondary educational institution at which the student is enrolled in courses shall, upon request by the student, provide space for the meeting on property owned, used, or occupied by the educational institution. (f) Before meeting with a student under subsection (c), an employer, individual employed by an intermediary, or individual employed by a labor organization must pass any background checks required by the approved postsecondary educational institution at which the student is enrolled in courses. (g) If the approved postsecondary educational institution at which the student is enrolled in courses determines that no intermediaries, employers, or labor organizations are willing to meet with students under subsection (c), the educational institution may submit to the commission for higher education a written request to waive the meeting requirement. (h) An intermediary, an employer, or a labor organization that meets with a student under subsection (c) shall submit an annual report to the commission for higher education in the manner established by the commission for higher education under IC 21-18-19-1. As added by P.L.202-2023, SEC.73.

Ind. Code § 21-12-4-4 Amount of grant

Sec. 4. (a) This section does not apply to a grant recipient who is participating in training under section 3.6 of this chapter. (b) The freedom of choice grant is the amount published under IC 21-12-1.7 for recipients attending an institution described in section 2 of this chapter. [Pre-2007 Higher Education Recodification Citation: 20-12-21-17.] As added by P.L.2-2007, SEC.253. Amended by P.L.281-2013, SEC.14; P.L.85-2017, SEC.87; P.L.202-2023, SEC.74.

Ind. Code § 21-12-4-5 Freedom of choice grant fund

Sec. 5. (a) The state comptroller shall create a separate and segregated freedom of choice grant fund distinct from the higher education award fund. (b) The expense of administering the fund may be paid from money in the fund. [Pre-2007 Higher Education Recodification Citation: 20-12-21-18 part.] As added by P.L.2-2007, SEC.253. Amended by P.L.165-2016, SEC.9; P.L.9-2024, SEC.423.

Ind. Code § 21-12-4-6 Repealed

[Pre-2007 Higher Education Recodification Citation: 20-12-21-18 part.] As added by P.L.2-2007, SEC.253. Amended by P.L.229-2011, SEC.226. Repealed by P.L.234-2015, SEC.9.

Ind. Code § 21-12-4-7 Freedom of choice grant fund; conditions

Sec. 7. All money disbursed from the freedom of choice grant fund shall be in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. [Pre-2007 Higher Education Recodification Citation: 20-12-21-18 part.] As added by P.L.2-2007, SEC.253.

Ind. Code § 21-12-4-8 Transfer of money in the fund

Sec. 8. Money in the freedom of choice grant fund may be transferred to another fund under this article as directed by the commission under IC 21-12-1.2-2. [Pre-2007 Higher Education Recodification Citation: 20-12-21-18 part.] As added by P.L.2-2007, SEC.253. Amended by P.L.234-2015, SEC.10; P.L.213-2025, SEC.243.

Ind. Code § 21-12-4-9 Repealed

As added by P.L.229-2011, SEC.227. Amended by P.L.281-2013, SEC.15. Repealed by P.L.234-2015, SEC.11.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/21Fetched: 10/17/2026