Students graduating from any high school in Gary, Indiana, now have a new chance to pursue a college degree at no cost, thanks to a tuition-free scholarship program created by Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana in collaboration with the Urban League of Northwest Indiana.
Hard Rock Casino and Urban League of Northwest Indiana Announce Collaboration
This impactful initiative is designed to help Gary’s young people reach their educational goals by removing tuition-related financial barriers. Both organizations are investing in the community’s future and empowering the next generation of leaders.
To qualify for the new scholarship, students must be accepted as incoming freshmen at Indiana University Northwest, pursuing either a two-year or four-year degree program. Eligibility is limited to members of the Gary, Indiana, high school class of 2024, including graduates of public, charter, private, faith-based, and home-school programs.
Applicants are required to have earned a Core 40 diploma with a minimum GPA of 2.5 and must have completed 30 to 40 hours of community service or volunteer work. Students must also submit the FAFSA each year and maintain a 2.5 GPA annually while enrolled at IU Northwest to keep the scholarship.
Officials Talk About the New Initiative
Matt Schuffert, president of Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, said the Scholarship Program is designed to show young people that their potential has no limits, and Hard Rock is proud to help make that vision a reality.
Meanwhile, Michael L. Suggs, chief operating officer for the City of Gary, expressed strong support for the scholarship program created for Gary high school students, noting that it highlights the impact of community collaboration and partnership. He said the initiative demonstrates how working together can open doors for young people to succeed and build their careers in Gary. Suggs added that the program sends a powerful message to local youth that their dreams are within reach and their potential is limitless.
Dr. Vanessa Allen McCloud, President & CEO of the Urban League of Northwest Indiana, received an oversized guitar-shaped check for $250,000 from Schuffert to fund the program. She explained that Research shows that financial constraints often prevent many first-generation and low-income students from accessing higher education. Hard Rock‘s generous contribution reflects a commitment to removing those barriers for Gary students striving to achieve their career goals.
Arrick Jackson, chancellor of IU Northwest, said the scholarship represents possibility, aiming to assure every Gary student that college is attainable and that IU Northwest can be a place for them to grow, learn, and lead. He emphasized that the university wants all eligible students to take the first step and apply, noting that their future begins there.
Last, but not least, Vicki Román-Lagunas, IU Northwest’s interim chancellor, explained that Hard Rock Casino’s gift has great transformative power. She added that the students who will receive the scholarship are the region’s future, and that this partnership stands as a prime example of the positive impact that occurs when community partners share a unified vision.