Ivy Tech South Bend-Elkhart Receives $15,000 from the Ellucian Foundation to Support Students in Need

South Bend, Ind. – Ivy Tech Community College South Bend-Elkhart was selected as a 2025 Progress, Accomplishment, Thriving, Hope (PATH) Scholarship recipient through the Ellucian Foundation. The PATH Scholarship Program provides grants to higher education institutions worldwide to directly benefit students facing economic hardships and subsequent educational disruptions. 

Ivy Tech Community College South Bend-Elkhart received $15,000 which will be distributed to 15 students to help cover items such as housing costs, childcare, utility bills, transportation cost, tuition expenses and food. Eash student received an amount of $1,000.00. For many recipients, these funds made the difference between continuing their education or pausing their studies. By alleviating immediate financial stress, the PATH Scholarship empowered students to stay focused on their academic goals, supporting retention, persistence, and ultimately, success in their programs.

“Student success is at the heart of everything we do at Ivy Tech. While many of our students are highly motivated, unexpected financial barriers can threaten their ability to stay enrolled. We are grateful to the Ellucian Foundation for investing in our students through this scholarship support, allowing us to respond when help is needed most and keep students on track to complete their education and achieve their career goals,” said Mari Linn Wise, Vice Chancellor of Development & Community Relations, Ivy Tech Community College.

“Students across the globe are working hard to stay enrolled, but too many continue to face financial barriers that put their progress at risk,” said Laura Ipsen, President and CEO, Ellucian. “Our 2025 Student Voice Report — which includes insights from ‘stop-outs,’ or learners who left college before completing a degree — found that 23% cannot afford upfront costs to return, and 15% are already too burdened by student debt. The Ellucian Foundation’s PATH Scholarship Program is helping institutions reduce these barriers so more students can continue their academic journey with confidence.” 

The PATH Scholarship is provided by the Ellucian Foundation, established in 2020 by Ellucian, the leading technology solutions provider for higher education. To date, the PATH Scholarship program has provided more than $3.7 million in grants to 200+ institutions, supporting 3,700+ students. 

“Institutions know better than anyone the real barriers their students face — and how even modest financial support can change the trajectory of a learner’s academic journey,” said Jen Welding, Executive Director of the Ellucian Foundation. “The PATH program is built on that principle. By putting flexible funding directly into the hands of colleges and universities, we enable them to rapidly assist students whose education might otherwise be interrupted.” 

For more details, visit: https://stayonpath.org/  

About Ivy Tech Community College 

Ivy Tech Community College serves communities across Indiana, providing world-class education and driving economic transformation. It is the state’s largest public postsecondary institution and the nation’s largest singly accredited statewide community college system. It serves as the state’s engine of workforce development, offering high-value degree programs and training that are aligned with the needs of its communities, along with courses and programs that transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association. 

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