Kaitlyn Cupp is a Grace College freshman who recently was awarded a $10,000 Next Generation Hoosier Educator Scholarship. Photo provided.

News Release

WINONA LAKE — Grace College freshman Kaitlyn Cupp, of Shipshewana, was recently awarded the Next Generation Hoosier Educator Scholarship. The Indiana Commission for Higher Education issued the renewable $10,000 scholarship, which will be applied during the 2024-25 academic year.

“This scholarship means so much to me,” said Cupp. “It will provide a huge financial relief as I pay my way through school.”

Cupp first heard about the scholarship as a high schooler at Westview Junior-Senior High School, but because she began college as a psychology major, the scholarship did not apply to her. She soon discovered that psychology was not the best fit, and Cupp changed her major to elementary education with a concentration in social studies. Then she promptly applied for the Indiana Commission for Higher Education scholarship.

“Kaitlyn is an outstanding student, and we are thrilled she has decided to enter the world of education,” said Laurie Owen, a distinguished professor of education at Grace. “She will be such a blessing to all of her future students.”

According to Cupp, her time in the School of Education has been a top-notch experience.

“The professors are amazing,” said Cupp. “I have felt so encouraged by every one of them, especially when questioning whether or not I wanted to switch majors to education. Second, all of my classmates are so kind and fun to work with. I have enjoyed taking classes with the same small group of education majors since our first class together.”

Looking forward, Cupp is sure she made the right decision to pursue elementary education, and she is confident that her future will impact the next generation.

“I’ve always had a passion for working with children and having a positive impact on their lives,” said Cupp. “Becoming a teacher is one of the best ways to do this by being a role model and loving students like Jesus.”

Recipients of the Next Generation Hoosier Educator Scholarship must complete 30 credit hours per academic year and maintain at least a 3.0 grade-point average. They also must commit to teaching at an eligible Indiana school for five years upon college graduation.

To learn more about the Indiana Commission for Higher Education’s Next Generation Hoosier Educator Scholarship, visit in.gov/che/state-financial-aid/state-financial-aid-by-program/next-generation-hoosier-educators-scholarship.

To learn more about Grace College’s School of Education, visit grace.edu/academics/undergraduate/academic-schools-departments/school-of-education.