The Hamilton Southeastern Schools Foundation (HSSF)  in partnership with Fishers High School, HSE High School, and the Fishers Rotary Club, announced today an new online scholarship platform, SmarterSelect.

The platform will allow students to apply for more than three dozen local scholarship opportunities via a single, uniform application.  The ease of access is expected to encourage more students to apply for critical scholarship dollars.  Fishers High School Senior and HSSF Board Member, Mindy Pratt applauds the new program.  “Your senior year in high school is exciting, but can also be overwhelming.  This tool allows me to focus on putting together the best possible application, not on repetitive paperwork.” 

Scholarship opportunities are especially important to Hoosier students like Mindy.  The Center for American Progress recently ranked Indiana as having the sixth highest debt per college graduate in the nation with an average of $24,845 owed.  Many students, both local and nationally, are faced with delaying college entry or dropping out due to the burden of educational debt.

Yet, the benefits from obtaining a college degree are undeniable.  Unemployment rates for high school graduates are about 90% higher than people with bachelor’s degrees and those with a bachelor’s degree earn about $24,000 more annually than their high school counterparts. The perks continue beyond finances with increased reports of job satisfaction and stronger overall health indicators among college graduates.

Fishers Rotary Club President, Gregg Hiland comments on the partnership, “The Rotary Club has a rich history of supporting local students both through our scholarship as well as project based funding.  The SmarterSelect opportunity is a natural extension of our work since it serves students, faculty, and families throughout Fishers.  We believe it is a great investment in the future of this remarkable community.” 

All scholarship opportunities as well as additional information regarding student financial aid can be found online.

About Hamilton Southeastern Schools Foundation
The Foundation concentrates efforts toward enhancing education opportunities, inspiring excellence and engaging the community to foster a legacy of achievement.  The impact of these efforts reaches all 21 local schools and can be seen in the areas of literacy, STEM, the arts, fitness, mental health, special education, social justice and more.  In addition to the programmatic efforts, the Foundation also awards more than 100 annual scholarships to graduating seniors.

 About Fishers Rotary
The Rotary impact starts with their membership which is comprised of different occupations, cultures, and countries that share a passion for service above self.  In addition to making a difference for local schools, the Rotary club focuses efforts on fighting disease, providing clean water, growing local economies and supporting literacy programs.