The Questa Scholars Program assists high school graduates from participating northeast Indiana counties in their quest for their first associate or bachelor’s degree by providing affordable college loans that offer the prospect of 50% debt forgiveness if certain academic and residency requirements are met after graduation.

 

The goals of the Questa Scholars Program are to:

 

1. Increase college attainment rates in northeast Indiana;

2. Increase regional retention of college graduates in northeast Indiana; and

3. Help students who desire to live and work in northeast Indiana after college to graduate with less debt and greater financial freedom.

 

The Questa Scholars Program is designed for students who demonstrate high academic promise and who have a desire or intent to remain in, or return to, northeast Indiana to live and work after college.

 

Participating counties for 2011 include:  Allen, DeKalb, Huntington, Kosciusko and Whitley. 

 

Eligibility Requirements

 

Eligibility for the Questa Scholars Program requires applicants to:

 

1. Be a recent graduate from an Allen, DeKalb, Huntington, Kosciusko or Whitley County public or private high school or home school program OR be a resident of one of these counties who recently received a GED.

   
   

   Recent graduates or GED recipients are defined as students who will graduate in May or June of the current calendar year (or receive a GED) or who graduated high school the prior May or June (last calendar year). First year college freshmen who graduated from an Allen, DeKalb, Huntington, Kosciusko or Whitley County high school, home school or GED program last year may apply.

 

2. Possess a minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA upon receiving his or her high school diploma. First year college freshmen who apply must possess a minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA after his or her first year of college.

   
   

   A 2.75 cumulative GPA is a minimum requirement for consideration. Because the application and selection process is highly competitive, most recipients will need to have a cumulative GPA much higher than this to earn selection.

 

3. Apply for and demonstrate financial need as determined by the FAFSA application for federal student aid.

   
   

   The Student Aid Report (SAR) that is generated by the FAFSA application is used by Questa to determine financial need. Questa Scholar loans are intended to fund students from middle income families – those who evidence a funding gap between what a student and his or her family can afford to contribute and the actual cost of a college education. A family and/or student contribution is expected.

 

4. Be accepted by a college or university that has received its regional accreditation from the U.S. Department of Education. Students attending proprietary (for profit) schools are not eligible.

   
   

5. Complete and submit all Questa Scholar application materials by 4:00 p.m. on June 10.  This is a firm deadline. Incomplete applications will not be considered after 4:00 p.m. on June 10.