IU Columbus plans Constitution Day event
Indiana University Columbus will share voter information as part of its annual Constitution Day event on Sept. 17, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The public is welcome to join the activities in the Landing of the Columbus Learning Center, 4555 Central Ave.
This year, participants can check their voter registration and ballot, find their voting location, make buttons, enjoy snacks, and have their questions answered. In addition, the Bartholomew County Clerk Voter Registration Office will bring a voting booth to campus to show those who have never voted what they can expect on election day.
“The goal of our event is to celebrate the right to vote, encourage engaged citizenship, and have AirPark campus faculty, staff and students — as well as members of the local community — commit to vote,” explained Pamela Morris, event coordinator and IU Columbus associate professor of communication studies.
Constitution Day is an American federal observance recognizing the adoption of the United States Constitution and those who have become U.S. citizens. It’s been celebrated annually at the Columbus campus for nearly 20 years.
This year, Sept. 17 is also National Voter Registration Day.
Scholarships reach full enrollment
Indiana’s Education Scholarship Accounts — meant to help students who require special education services — have reached full enrollment for the first time since the program went live in 2022, according to the Office of the Indiana State Treasurer.
The announcement came less than two weeks after the office indicated that participation had risen 200% even before the start of the new school year. The program application deadline was originally set for Sept. 1.
“We are thrilled to announce that every dollar allocated to the Indiana ESA Program has been distributed, ensuring that families have the resources they need to provide their children with the best possible education,” Indiana State Treasurer Daniel Elliott said in a statement. “This program is a testament to Indiana’s dedication to supporting diverse educational opportunities and fostering an environment where every child can thrive.”
Eligible Hoosier families will pull from the $10 million appropriated for ESAs in the 2024-25 academic year.
Participating in the program will be 862 students and — for the first time — 156 siblings, according to the treasurer’s office.
A law approved earlier this year extended eligibility for ESAs to the siblings of students who have disabilities, even if those siblings do not have disabilities themselves. Previously, ESAs were only available for students who require special education services.
With more than 600 providers, the program is expected to serve students in 67 of Indiana’s 92 counties. About 80% of students who participated last year reapplied again, state officials said.
During the 2023-2024 school year, 957 unique ESA applications were created. Of those, 557 applications were approved and 540 ultimately participated.
To be eligible for an ESA, school-aged Hoosiers must have an active service plan, Individualized Education Plan or Choice Special Education Plan (CSEP). They must also have an income below 400% of the Federal Free or Reduced School Meals limit, according to the Indiana Department of Education.
Accounts set up by the state treasurer’s office provide each qualifying student with thousands of dollars for private school tuition and various other educational services from providers outside of their school district.
Other expenses can include transportation, examinations and assessments, occupational therapy, paraprofessional or education aides, training programs and more.
The ESA program was created by the General Assembly in 2021 despite pushback from public education advocates who argued that the program lacks oversight and takes money away from traditional public schools.
Sweepstakes offers $10,000 prize
September is National College Savings Month, and to celebrate, one individual will be selected to win a $10,000 account deposit in the Indiana529 Education Sweepstakes.
To enter the Sweepstakes, individuals 18 years of age or older must complete the entry form available at MyIndiana529.com/sweepstakes by 11:59 p.m. on September 30, 2024.
The winner will be randomly selected from all eligible entries to receive a $10,000 Indiana529 account deposit.
“Whether it’s tech, trade, registered apprenticeships or traditional college, a child’s dreams are worth saving for,” said Indiana Treasurer Daniel Elliott. “We’re proud to offer one Indiana family $10,000 in an Indiana529 plan to jumpstart those savings.”
Indiana529 provides account owners and gift contributors flexibility when it comes to saving for education after high school. Funds can be used at any eligible school or registered apprenticeship program, both in- and out-of-state. Accounts grow tax-deferred and distributions are tax-free as long as the money is withdrawn to pay for qualified education expenses such as tuition, books, computers, equipment, and fees.
Indiana taxpayers also may be eligible for an annual state income tax credit of 20% of contributions to their Indiana529 accounts, worth up to $1,500 each year.
For more information about Indiana529 savings plans, visit www.MyIndiana529.com.
