Indiana proposes more affordable college

INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 9 (UPI) -- A state panel in Indiana says its $50 million plan could make college more affordable and encourage students to graduate within four years.

The Indiana Commission for Higher Education proposes to expand the state's free tuition program, called 21st Century Scholars, to include more middle-income students, the Indianapolis Star reported Tuesday.

As an alternative, the Commission proposes waiving tuition costs at Ivy Tech Community College for all students, regardless of income.

The plan unveiled Monday is similar to a $50 million plan announced last month by Gov. Mitch Daniels to give $6,000 in free tuition to students whose families earn $60,000 or less a year, or give them two years of free tuition at Ivy Tech.

Only one-third of first-time, full-time college students in Indiana graduate in four years, partly because the rest can't afford to finish, said Stan Jones, the state's commissioner for higher education.