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Gary Today
By the People, for the People
Gary Students Can Now Earn Free College Degrees
High schoolers in Indiana can get associate's or bachelor's degrees at no cost.
Published on Feb. 28, 2026
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A new program in Gary, Indiana, allows high school students to earn college degrees for free. The GEO 21st Century Academy has formalized agreements with three local colleges - Ivy Tech Community College Lake County, Indiana University Northwest, and Purdue University Northwest - to provide students the opportunity to earn associate's or bachelor's degrees at no cost while still in high school. Officials say 17 students are currently finishing their associate's degrees this year, and the scholarship offer will now be more widely available.
Why it matters
This innovative program in Gary provides high school students a unique path to higher education, allowing them to get a head start on college and earn degrees at no financial cost. It aims to improve college access and affordability, which are major challenges facing many students and families.
The details
The GEO 21st Century Academy has partnered with three local colleges in northwest Indiana - Ivy Tech Community College Lake County, Indiana University Northwest, and Purdue University Northwest - to offer high school students the opportunity to earn associate's or bachelor's degrees at no cost. Officials say 17 students are currently finishing their associate's degrees this year, and the scholarship program will now be expanded to more students.
- The partnership agreements were formalized on Friday, February 28, 2026.
The players
GEO 21st Century Academy
A high school program in Gary, Indiana, that has partnered with local colleges to allow students to earn college degrees for free.
Ivy Tech Community College Lake County
A community college in northwest Indiana that is part of the partnership to provide free college degrees to high school students.
Indiana University Northwest
A public university in northwest Indiana that is part of the partnership to provide free college degrees to high school students.
Purdue University Northwest
A public university in northwest Indiana that is part of the partnership to provide free college degrees to high school students.
What’s next
Officials say the scholarship program will now be expanded to more students beyond the initial 17 who are currently finishing their associate's degrees.
The takeaway
This free college degree program in Gary, Indiana, aims to improve college access and affordability for high school students, providing them an accelerated path to earning associate's or bachelor's degrees at no cost.
