In this blog, Associate Director of State Policy Dan Hinderliter highlights Indiana’s seamless admission policy created through Indianapolis, Indiana’s participation in the career pathways transformation initiative New Skills ready network. 

Strong policies that allow learners to easily access postsecondary institutions require regular collaboration, strong alignment, and both state and local policies working in tandem. It is often difficult to create structures where all of these conditions co-exist, but Indiana’s unique postsecondary landscape provides a promising model for state and local practice that expands access to postsecondary success across learner levels. 

Through the New Skills ready network, the Indianapolis, Indiana, project team created structures that leverage state and local policy and engage champions at all levels. From the outset of the initiative, leadership chose to focus on seamless transitions between and across learner levels to ensure that all learners have access to postsecondary success. State and local initiatives help support learners through transitions into two- and four-year institutions and to transfer between institutions. 

At the state level, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (the Commission) launched a Pre-Admissions Initiative in Fall 2023 to help learners view available postsecondary options prior to filling out full applications for each postsecondary institution. Upon receipt of a pre-admissions letter, learners are able to explore which postsecondary institutions they are eligible to attend and the additional steps they would need to take to enroll. This program eliminates barriers for learners who are often unaware of the breadth of opportunities available. In Fall 2024, 39 public and private colleges and universities and 390 Indiana high schools participated in the initiative, with over 67,000 high school seniors receiving pre-admissions letters. Potential credential options range from short-term and one-year certificates to two- and four-year degrees, many of which learners may have not previously considered.

Locally, Indiana University-Indianapolis (IU-I) and Ivy Tech Community College-Indianapolis (Ivy Tech), both partners in the Indianapolis New Skills ready network team, leverage existing partnerships to expand access for learners. Multiple major initiatives were initiated or expanded through alignment and collaboration as part of their work in this initiative, including:

• Passport Program: Since 1998, IU-I and Ivy Tech have partnered to provide a Passport Program for learners to transfer from one institution to another, experiencing “coordinated, holistic, and developmentally appropriate support.” Through Passport Program, learners can access degree-focused coursework at both institutions, with the support of a dedicated staff responsible for assisting with transferring credits and financial aid. Over 2,500 learners are served each year through this program.
• Seamless Admissions: In September 2023, IU-I began a process to “seamlessly admit” Indianapolis Public Schools seniors, removing access barriers for local high schoolers. Learners with a 3.0 grade point average or higher are automatically admitted to IU-I after completing a short online form. Because of the partnership between IU-I and IPS, learners do not have to pay an application fee, fill out a lengthy application or send transcripts. The seamless admissions process started with learners in the five IPS-operated high schools; in May 2024, eight other public IPS schools, including charters, joined the program for Fall 2025 admission into IU-I. This program also gives learners to career and advising services, and additional support through the IndyAchieves program. The program is due to continue its expansion to over two dozen high schools in Marion County.

Getting Started 

Across the state of Indiana, postsecondary institutions are invested in supporting learners in their career pathways between and across secondary and postsecondary institutions, and transferring between institutions. These types of programs serve as models for other states and institutions looking to support seamless transition and to ensure that learners have the support they need to be successful in their postsecondary journey. States should consider how they ease barriers for learners through initiatives similar to those in Indiana, while local initiatives should regularly evaluate the relationships they have with all area high schools. 

Additional Resources

Please visit Advance CTE’s Learning that Works Resource Center for more information about Indiana’s New Skills ready network work or seamless transition for postsecondary success.

About the New Skills ready network 

The New Skills ready network bolsters JPMorgan Chase’s efforts to support a robust economic recovery, as part of their $350 million, five-year New Skills at Work initiative to prepare people for the future of work. With a dedication to building accessible career pathways, the New Skills ready network connects six sites —  Boston, Massachusetts; Columbus, Ohio; Dallas, Texas; Denver, Colorado; Indianapolis, Indiana; and Nashville, Tennessee — with local partners with the intentionality necessary to build a strong workforce ecosystem for all learners.