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Adult Diploma Reimbursement Bill Signed Into Law

The bill will fund adult high school diploma programs based on performance – not just enrollment.
Brandon Smith/IPB News
The bill will fund adult high school diploma programs based on performance – not just enrollment.

Gov. Eric Holcomb signed a bill into law this week that will fund adult high school diploma programs based on performance – not just enrollment. The requirements will affect programs across the state.

The new law establishes the Workforce Diploma Reimbursement Fund. It lets programs that award adult high school diplomas apply for a reimbursement of up to $6,750 per graduate. To be reimbursed, the programs must also maintain a graduation rate of at least 50%, among other requirements.

Sen. Jeff Raatz (R-Centerville) authored the bill.

“And the best part about it is that there’s no payment up front. When the students earn credit, that’s when the organization is paid,” Raatz says.

The Governor’s Workforce Cabinet must approve every diploma-awarding organization prior to reimbursement. 

Justin Hicks is a workforce reporter for IPB News based at WVPE in Elkhart. He comes to Indiana by way of New York. He has a master's degree from the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute at New York University and earned a Bachelor of Music Degree from Appalachian State University where he played trumpet. He first learned about Elkhart, Indiana, because of the stamp on his brass instrument indicating where it was produced. Justin was born and raised in Mt. Olive, North Carolina. He currently lives in South Bend with his dog, Charlotte.
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