Thirteen Northwest Indiana students have received a Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship from the Indiana Commission for Higher Education.

They’re among 300 winners across the state, according to a release.

Through a competitive application process based on academic achievement and additional criteria, the Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship provides recipients with a renewable scholarship of up to $10,000 per year or up to $40,000.

In exchange, students agree to teach for five years at an eligible Indiana school or repay the corresponding, prorated amount of the scholarship.

“The Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship is a key strategy to build Indiana’s future teacher workforce with high-quality talent. The students selected for this opportunity have the passion and determination to make a difference in classrooms across the state,” said Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education Chris Lowery.

To qualify for the scholarship, students must graduate in the top 20 percent of their high school class, earn a score in the 20th percentile on the SAT or ACT, or have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA.

To continue earning the scholarship in college, students must earn a 3.0 GPA and complete at least 30 credit hours per year.

Local scholarship winners and their chosen colleges include:

Lake County: Alexandra Magallanes, Bishop Noll Institute, St. Mary’s College; Miles Verpooten, Crown Point High School, Ball State University; Charles Ganske, Hobart High School, Butler University; James Hairston, Hobart High School, Calumet College of St. Joseph; Emily Bantsolas, Illiana Christian High School, Anderson University; Joshua Wooge, Lake Central High School, Purdue University Northwest; Claire Benton, Lowell High School, Huntington University; Tionna Hall, Merrillville High School, Ball State University.

Porter County: Myah Donovan, Hebron High School, Western Governors University Indiana; Juliana Guerrero, Chesterton High School, Purdue University Northwest; Olivia Miller, Kouts High School, Purdue University; Guinevere Lay, Portage High School, Ball State University; Noelle Gapinski, Valparaiso High School, Ball State University.