CREA Foundation and Indiana University Indianapolis Expand Impact with Second University Cohort
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CREA Foundation, Inc. and Indiana University Indianapolis (IU Indianapolis) proudly announce the selection of the 2026 CREA Scholars cohort, providing financial assistance and support services to students pursuing higher education.
As CREA Foundation’s first university partner to complete a full CREA Scholars Program cycle - with its inaugural cohort graduating in May 2026 – IU Indianapolis continues its commitment to expanding educational opportunities for students facing financial barriers.
"We are incredibly proud of the success of our inaugural cohort of CREA Scholars and excited to welcome the next group of scholars,” said Eric D. Williams, Ph.D., Senior Executive Director of Educational Success Programs (ESP) at IU Indianapolis. “CREA Foundation's generosity provides more than financial support - it creates opportunities for students to focus on their education, build meaningful connections, and pursue their academic and career goals with confidence. We are grateful for this partnership and look forward to watching these scholars grow, achieve, and make a lasting impact on our campus and beyond."
This year’s selection process placed additional emphasis on supporting students from CREA, LLC’s portfolio of affordable housing communities developed through the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program. Two of this year’s scholars currently reside in CREA-partnered housing communities, joining eight additional students who demonstrated significant financial need.
The incoming IU Indianapolis freshmen are each awarded approximately $5,000 beginning in the 2026–27 academic year. The scholarships are renewable annually and are designed to help students remain focused on achieving their academic and professional goals while earning a post-secondary degree.
“We are grateful to Indiana University Indianapolis for its continued commitment to students from affordable housing communities and those with a clear need for additional support,” said Roger Shank, Executive Director of CREA Foundation. “Over the past five years, it has become clear that the CREA Scholars Program is often the deciding factor in whether a student is able to attend college. It is a privilege to play a role in helping make those educational goals a reality.”
In addition to its partnership with IU Indianapolis, CREA Foundation supports CREA Scholars programs at California State University, Northridge, and the University of Connecticut, with plans to expand its impact through additional university partnerships in the future.
A welcome reception will be held in September, providing scholarship recipients and their families an opportunity to meet fellow scholars, university faculty and advisors, and CREA Foundation representatives as they begin their academic journey.