Nearly 700 first-year and returning students enrolled this fall at Grand Rapids Community College through the Grand Rapids Promise Zone will have more support and funding after the Board of Directors passed its 2024-25 Budget Amendment and changes to its Development Plan.
The state recently broadened what qualifies for educational expenses funded by Promise Zones, and the Grand Rapids Promise had their plan in place to fund three priorities.
Chairperson Tom DeJonge says now students will receive help connecting to mental health resources, additional on-campus support staff, and a $500 per semester credit on their student ID for on-campus expenses.
“One of the things that helps students feel that they are able to have a full experience is to be able through their Raider cards the opportunity for food, transportation, parking, printing, etcetera.”
The Grand Rapids Promise Zone Scholarship already covers the cost of tuition, fees and textbooks, and with the additional supports…
“It’s the board’s opinion that through these kinds of supports and services for kids we will be best positioned to ensure that kids don’t just enroll but sustain their enrollment up until graduation.”
To receive the full Promise Zone scholarship, the student must live within the City of Grand Rapids, attend and graduate from one of the eligible high schools.
