INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) students accepted to Indiana University (IU) Indianapolis may also apply for financial assistance through the university’s Lacy and Patricia Johnson Scholars Scholarship.
As a result of a $2.8 million gift from Indiana University alumni Lacy M. Johnson and his wife Patricia, this scholarship will provide five IPS graduates each up to $5,000 annually.
“Attending college is a critical step for our students to unlock their full potential and make a lasting impact on our community,” said Dr. Aleesia Johnson, IPS superintendent. “We are pleased to partner with IU Indianapolis to expand access to higher education through our joint Seamless Admissions program. And we are extremely grateful to both Lacy and Patricia Johnson — proud IPS alumni and supporters — for their generosity and dedication to our students by providing this valuable scholarship. This level of collaboration is transformative.”
The scholarship from Lacy and Patricia Johnson reflects their commitment to supporting the next generation of leaders and public servants. Many IPS students would be first-generation college attendees.
“We are grateful for Lacy and Patricia’s generous donation,” said IU Indianapolis Chancellor Latha Ramchand. “This scholarship fund exemplifies a profound commitment to educational access in multiple ways — not only will it empower students from Indianapolis Public Schools to join our university, but it will also help them relate to role models like the Johnsons who inspire us all.”
“We remain committed to providing opportunities for IPS students to pursue their higher education goals and are pleased to partner with IU Indianapolis on this scholarship program,” said Lacy and Patricia Johnson, graduates of Arlington High School.
Lacy is a partner at Taft, which has a long-standing relationship with IPS through its support of Ralph Waldo Emerson School 58. Since 2011, Taft has contributed nearly $2 million to School 58 to fund an after-school program and provides compassionate care assistance to students and families.
The Johnsons have also provided scholarships for minority students in STEM and business programs, highlighting their commitment to equity in education across IU’s campuses.
All IPS students looking to attend IU Indianapolis are encouraged to apply for scholarships through the IU Scholarships portal.
IPS and IU Indianapolis have a longstanding partnership that includes the seamless admissions program, which offers IPS seniors who qualify automatic admission to the university. Qualifying students only need to fill out a short online form, instead of navigating the traditional college application process.
Around 350 seniors from IPS’s Class of 2025 have qualified for seamless admission to IU Indianapolis next fall. The program is currently available to seniors at Arsenal Technical, Crispus Attucks, George Washington, and Shortridge high schools. It expands to include all high schools in the IPS Innovation Network in fall 2025. This program marks a significant step in making higher education more accessible for IPS students, removing barriers and streamlining the path to college.