"WHAT A GIFT!"
(WWMT) School administrators say Kalamazoo will be the only school district in the nation that will pay for all of its graduates to go to college.
Superintendent Janice Brown announced the Kalamazoo Promise program Thursday night. An anonymous group of donors will pay tuition and fees for any Michigan institution of higher learning. The program has no set end date and will be in place for at least the next 13 graduating classes.
The program begins in 2006.
"There is no catch,” said Brown. “The catch is: go to Kalamazoo public schools, graduate and get a scholarship. It's as simple as that."
Students who begin attending Kalamazoo public schools prior to tenth grade are eligible for the scholarship. The amount depends on how long the student has been enrolled. If the student has attended to Kalamazoo Public Schools from kindergarten through 12th grade, they will receive enough money to cover 100% of their college tuition.
The news was enthusiastically received by students like Ashley Hill, a junior at Kalamazoo Central High School. “It's a really good thing, we needed this. A lot of us going to college weren't going to because of funds.”
Said K-Central senior Isaac Boyd, “I was very worried. Me and my mom were struggling until we heard about that. It was magnificent.”
For Simone Snyder the announcement meant she does not have to worry about saving money for her 1st grader’s college education. “When they flashed to Dr. Brown, all I could think is, My son is going to go to college!”
Governor Jennifer Granholm says the Promise poises West Michigan for a highly educated population that will strengthen the area’s economy. “What a gift!” she said.
To remain eligible once in college, students must maintain at least a 2.0 Grade Point Average; must be in good standing; and must successfully complete 12 credit hours each semester.
The scholarship lasts four years from the high school graduating date unless it's interrupted by military service.
The Kalamazoo district has about 11,000 students in all grades.
Length of Attendance Benefit
K-12 ....................100%
1-12 .....................95%
2-12 .....................95%
3-12 .....................95%
4-12 .....................90%
5-12 .....................85%
6-12 .....................80%
7-12 .....................75%
8-12 .....................70%
9-12 .....................65%
10-12 ...................None
11-12 ...................None
12-12 ...................None
Anyway, folks, Kalamazoo's a neat place to be. But it could use more Irish trad musicians. The carrot has been dangled.
Cara
If Cara is an example of how people are in Kalamazoo, I'm sure it's a very nice place to live.
