“Out of all my friends’ group, I’m the only one that make it to college.”
Noe Mendez-Perez is finishing his associate degree at Grand Rapids Community College, one of the nearly 2000 students supported by the Grand Rapids Promise Zone Scholarship.
Now he’s one of the first to take advantage of a new initiative to earn a bachelor’s degree.
“To be honest, where I grew up – the area – I did not see myself going to college at all.”
The Grand Rapids Promise Zone uses private donations and public funds to remove financial barriers to higher education for eligible students graduating from one of 25 Grand Rapids-area high schools. Scholarships cover tuition, fees, and books for Grand Rapids Community College job training programs.
Now, GR Promise Zone is partnering with Grand Valley State University and Ferris State University, meaning once Promise Zone graduates get their associate degree from GRCC, they can continue their education to earn a bachelor’s degree from one of those partners.
GVSU President Dr.Philomena Mantella.
“That’s what a promise zone is. We make a promise to young people that they can fulfill their dreams, their mission, their purpose in life and education is the fuel and the transformational power that will enable them to do that.”
Funding covers up to $7,000 per academic year for tuition, fees and on-campus housing, with another $7,000 available to meet any gaps.
The new program begins in January.
For a weekly dose of news right to your inbox, sign up for the WGVU newsletter.
