Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Champion Families

What is Indiana Learns?

Indiana Learns is a statewide grant program that provides qualifying families with up to $1,000 to spend on approved Mathematics and English/language arts high-dosage tutoring during out-of-school timeframes for their students.

What is a Champion Family?

A Champion Family has one or more students that are eligible for the Indiana Learns grant program.

Is my student eligible?

To qualify for the Indiana Learns program, a student must meet ALL of the following criteria:

Student resides in Indiana.
Student is currently enrolled in and attending an Indiana School
Student qualifies for federal free or reduced lunch.
Student scored below proficiency in both Mathematics and English/language arts on ILEARN as a third or fourth grade student in the spring of 2022.

NOTE: Students achieving approaching proficiency will not qualify.

What if my student is not eligible?

Check in regularly with your student’s teacher regarding their progress.
Ask about online programs your school may offer for free.
Visit your local library and ask about resources they may offer.
Read with your student every day.
Explore Schoolhouse.world, a free online resource for students.

How does the program work?

All students who qualify for Indiana Learns will be able to use funds with approved providers. Once a family has registered, they can manage their grant and find approved learning partners through an online platform.

How long does my student have to use the award?

Program funds are available until June 30, 2024.

When can I sign up?

Families will be able to register at IndianaLearns.org to manage their account via the online platform beginning October 15, 2022.

Where can I share my general program feedback or questions?

Families and Learning Partners are encouraged to provide feedback regarding the Indiana Learns program by emailing info@indianalearns.org.

Can more than one student in the family participate?

Yes! Any student who meets the eligibility requirements can participate, and parents will have access to individualized online portals to manage each student’s grant while funds are available.

Where do I sign up?

Families can visit the platform to check eligibility. You will need the student’s Student Test Number (STN) and date of birth to verify eligibility. If a student is eligible, the family will immediately be able to view available funds in the Indiana Learns portal.

Where can I find my student’s student test number (STN)?

Parents can locate their student’s STN on their ILEARN score report or by reaching out to their school’s registrar or office staff.

Where does the grant come from?

The money for student grants comes from the Indiana Department of Education’s (IDOE) allocation of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds. This is federal aid given in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier this year, Governor Eric J. Holcomb signed House Enrolled Act 1251 to create a microgrant program for families to provide additional learning support for students facing academic challenges following the pandemic.

Where does the money go?

The grant can be accessed through the online portal. Families can view, but not directly manage, available funds. Learning Partners will be paid directly from this portal. At no point will families receive money directly from Indiana Learns or any approved provider.

What can the grant be used for?

Students may use awarded grant funding to receive virtual or in-person tutoring opportunities from an approved Learning Partner in Mathematics or English/language arts. Examples of qualifying expenses can include private tutoring, small group tutoring, or academic camps held during school breaks.

How much money will be in my child’s grant?

All eligible students will receive a one-time grant of $500. Students may be eligible for up to $1,000 in schools that provide an additional $250 matching grant.

What if I don’t use all of the grant money?

Program funds are available until June 30, 2024.

Funds are no longer usable after June 30, 2024.

Who will see my student’s data?

Indiana Learns adopted a strict data use policy and is aligned to FERPA expectations.

How will families access the platform?

The Indiana Learns platform is available through our website and can be viewed on any electronic device with internet access.

View the platform

Will families have support in the application process? If so, what will this look like?

There is no application for families to fill out. Families only need to check eligibility. If a student is eligible and there are funds available, that student will have access their portal and schedule services. Families who need support in the process will have access to a help desk with video, article, and ticketing functions available to support the use of the platform.

How will families be notified that they are eligible for this grant?

Indiana Learns utilizes many strategies to inform families about the program. Our team encourages Champion Schools to notify their eligible families about Indiana Learns and encourage them to take advantage of the funds available to them. The Indiana Learns team is happy to support Champion Schools in sharing this information and will partner with schools in a variety of ways, including school visits upon request.

What if my student meets some of the criteria, but not all of it?

To qualify for the Indiana Learns program, a student must meet ALL of the below criteria:

Student resides in Indiana,
Student is currently enrolled in and attending an Indiana school,
Student qualifies for Federal Free or Reduced Lunch, and
Student scored below proficiency in both Mathematics and English/Language Arts on ILEARN as a 3rd or 4th grader in 2022.
- NOTE: Students achieving approaching proficiency will not qualify.

If your student does not meet all of the criteria, they will not be eligible for Indiana Learns, but we encourage you to explore the following alternatives:

Check in regularly with your student’s teacher about their progress.
Ask about online programs your school may offer for free.
Visit your local library and ask about resources they may offer.
Read with your student every day.
Explore Schoolhouse.world, a free online resource for students

Learning Partners

How do I become an approved Learning Partner?

Interested providers may complete a profile through the Indiana Learns website as their formal application to become a Learning Partner. Candidates will be evaluated by the Indiana Learns review committee based on a scoring rubric. This committee will convene on a rolling basis to review Learning Partner submissions. Click here to start your application!

I’m a current or retired teacher in Indiana. Can I be a tutor for Indiana Learns?

Yes, and all tutors must be licensed teachers, retired teachers, or students enrolled in a teacher preparation program. During the initial rollout of this program, Indiana Learns is partnering with organizations to provide tutoring services. If you are a current or retired teacher, you can partner with a qualifying tutoring organization to provide student support through Indiana Learns.

Who do the Learning Partners bill for services rendered?

Learning Partners will bill Indiana Learns directly for provided services. Indiana Learns programming and reimbursement management will be overseen by The Mind Trust, an Indianapolis-based educational nonprofit. More information on The Mind Trust can be found here.

Will IDOE provide any assessment materials to the Learning Partners?

Parents will share their student’s ILEARN results with tutors as part of the experience. Learning Partners will use the information to benchmark and measure impact based on assessment blueprints and Indiana Academic Standards to support individual areas of intended growth for students.

Have any of the Learning Partners been determined?

Initial Indiana Learns Learning Partners are currently under review. Interested parties will complete profiles (applications) on a rolling basis to be reviewed by the committee. Only candidates that meet identified criteria will be established as Learning Partners.

Will tutors be required to complete an application process?

Yes. All organizations interested in becoming an approved Learning Partner of Indiana Learns must complete an application. Complete your profile on our website. This will serve as your application. Indiana Learns will score applications based on a rubric. Applications that meet initial learning partner criteria will be submitted for review by a subcommittee. Review will occur on a rolling basis.

Can entities reapply if they are not initially approved to be a Learning Partner?

Yes. If the initial application is not approved, tutors and organizations can work with an Indiana Learns team member to resolve outstanding issues that prevented approval of the initial application.

Does each individual from an organization need to apply, or is one application for the whole organization sufficient?

Only one application should be submitted from an organization. Interested individuals should explore opportunities for involvement with approved Learning Partners in their community.

What is the criteria for the tutoring providers?

To become an approved Learning Partner, organizations must:

Provide services outside of regular school hours
Serve students meeting the eligibility requirements:
- Utilize credentialed educators: Licensed teachers, retired teachers, or prospective teachers currently enrolled in a teacher preparation program
- Benchmark students’ academic level and provide weekly progress reports to parents and school
- Maintain 1:3 maximum tutor-student ratio
- Maintain per student cost of less $100 per hour/per student
- Provide a minimum of 60 minutes of support each week
- Provide services on a reimbursement basis

Only services covering math and reading will be approved for scheduling through Indiana Learns.

Champion Schools

What is a Champion School?

Champion Schools are those with families that are actively using Indiana Learns to strengthen their students’ proficiency in Mathematics and English/Language Arts. In addition to individual student support, Champion Schools may offer on-site Mathematics and English/Language Arts engagement opportunities—outside of school hours—to qualifying students. Champion Schools can work with eligible student families to promote the use of funds to support the delivery of qualified expenses. Champion Schools will also help share information about Indiana Learns with their eligible families.

Can teachers on our staff qualify?

Licensed and retired teachers and individuals who are currently enrolled in a teacher training program qualify to serve as tutors in this program. Educators that meet this criteria must initially work with an approved Learning Partner to provide tutoring services through this program. As the program progresses, Indiana Learns seeks to connect qualified tutors with established organizations to provide support, offer resources, and conduct background checks.

Will the state be responsible for criminal background checks on individuals who will be doing the tutoring?

Approved Learning Partners will conduct criminal history checks for all tutors.

What role should school corporations play in motivating families to take advantage of this opportunity?

Corporations and schools are invited to encourage participation of eligible families, but there is no formal expectation of involvement. Indiana Learns encourages schools to provide families with information regarding the program and benefits to eligible students.

Can a school leverage the funds to support existing out-of-school learning opportunities?

Yes, as an approved organizational learning partner, a school can leverage the funds to support existing out-of-school learning opportunities.

How can schools find out if a student is using the grant?

Learning Partners will also provide progress reports to the school. The Indiana Learns team can also pull reports for schools seeking this information.

What other support will Indiana Learns offer schools?

In addition to providing informational materials, Indiana Learns team members are available to provide on-site support to families and school personnel upon request.

Champion Plus Schools

What is a Champion Plus School?

Champion Plus Schools have all the characteristics of Champion Schools and additionally choose to match funds of $250 for eligible students. Indiana Learns will match funding for Champion Plus Schools with an additional $250 for eligible students; this totals $1,000 per eligible student to be used with approved Learning Partners.

Is the match a requirement for students to receive the grant?

No. While the match is encouraged, as it extends the amount of support to the student, it is not required.

How can I commit to matching funds for students in my school?

Corporations interested in providing a match should reach out to Senior Director of Indiana Learns Seana Murphy via email at smurphy@indianalearns.org.