Hoosier high schoolers will have the option to finish dual credit credentials for free this summer, through a pandemic-relief funded program being offered for the second year.

According to Ivy Tech, Indiana has 4,300 annual openings for nurses. Nationally, nearly one in five has changed jobs, according to a study from Nursing Solutions, a recruitment firm.

Indy Achieves, a fledgling Indianapolis education initiative, is helping students settle outstanding balances with Ivy Tech Community College.

Starting this fall, nursing students at Ivy Tech can enroll in the Beacon Scholars program, which offers tuition assistance, living stipends and future employment at Beacon facilities.

Ivy Tech has a goal to admit 600 more nursing students each year by 2025.

For years, many Ivy Tech Community College students who wanted to transfer to a four year university have been unable to do so. It was school policy to withhold transcripts to students that owed any money to the college.

Employers across Indianapolis struggle to meet hiring needs, even if they offer higher wages because not enough workers have the credentials needed to land these good jobs.

A lack of quality data collected by Indiana's colleges and universities is likely causing them to underestimate the severity of students' housing and food insecurity. That was one of the findings in a new report released by the state's Commission for Higher Education.

Participants will have access to coaching via online video calls, phone calls, or texts and can receive help for up to four months.

The Bridging The Gap initiative will provide students who complete core components of the program with college credit and some cash.