Indianapolis Allocates Additional Funds To Boost Post Secondary, Adult Education Programs

Programs to help people finish college or receive adult education in Indianapolis will get a boost from nearly $1.5 million in federal CARES act funding.

The City-County Council approved the funds this month. Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett said more than $300,000 will go towards Indy Achieves college completion grants for IUPUI and Ivy Tech students.

"Enabling them to land a job that would otherwise be out of reach because of financial barriers," Hogsett said. 

EmployIndy Chief Operations Officer Marie Mackintosh says $1.1 million will go to seven local organizations that focus on adult education.

"To pursue their high school diploma, their high school equivalency or post secondary certifications, so they can get to that brighter future," Mackintosh said. 

An initial CARES act investment earlier this summer allowed Employ Indy to expand enrollment by 20 percent, for people impacted by COVID-19. 

Hogsett said education has long been out of reach for many low income residents.

"Post secondary education will be just as big a part of gainful employment, post pandemic as it was pre-pandemic," Hogsett said. 

In 2018, more than 80,000 Indianapolis residents did not have a high school diploma.