Indiana high-school students will no longer be able to take free summer classes at Ivy Tech Community College, after state budget cuts forced the school to end the popular program and lay off employees.

In a May 30 letter to employees, Ivy Tech President Sue Ellspermann explained that the Indiana General Assembly reduced higher-education funding by 5%. The State Budget Agency may withhold another 5%, leaving the college facing a potential $54 million loss over the next two years.

To cope, Ivy Tech announced 202 layoffs, about 3% of its workforce, including 38 faculty members, 162 staff, and two administrative faculty across campuses in Indianapolis, Bloomington, Columbus, Kokomo, Evansville, and South Bend.

The free summer program, the only one of its kind in Indiana, let high-school students earn college credit at no cost. More than 6,400 students participated last summer, and Ivy Tech expected demand to grow by over 2,000 this year. The college estimates it lost $12 million in tuition revenue during the three years the program ran, with each student saving roughly $1,000 in tuition and fees.

Rep. Earl Harris Jr., D-East Chicago, criticized the cuts, saying they will make college even less affordable. “Free summer college classes help high-school students—especially low-income students—acquire college credits that save money when they work on their degree,” Harris said in an email. “These cuts threaten the quality of education for future college students.”

Ellspermann said the college will “navigate this period with compassion, integrity, and a continued focus on our educational mission,” but acknowledged the decision is a difficult one for students and staff alike.

With the program gone for 2025, students hoping to get a head start on college coursework will now have fewer—and more expensive—options.

https://www.thestatehousefile.com/politics/state-budget-cuts-mean-no-more-free-summer-ivy-tech-classes-for-thousands-of-high/article_b5c9a15b-6ec9-47e9-8505-a9c2605dc03f.html