Applying for a scholarship has just become easier with a new online platform designed for high school seniors preparing for college.  The new service was announced by the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools Foundation, HSE High School and the Fishers Rotary Club.

Below is the full text of the news release from the HSE Schools Foundation.

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The Hamilton Southeastern Schools Foundation (HSSF)  in partnership with Fishers High School, HSE High School, and the Fishers Rotary Club, announced today a 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 at www.hsefoundation.org