Paying for college is a strenuous task, but it could be getting easier for students in the Detroit Public Community Schools District thanks to an expansion of the Detroit College Promise.
The program, which previously provided students two-year scholarships to community colleges, will now include four-year colleges and universities. Gov. Rick Synder, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, and Superintendent Alycia Meriweather were among the top Michigan officials who gathered at Communication & Media Arts High School on Nov. 28 to present the updated program.
Detroit Regional Chamber officials, the media and college representatives who worked on the project gathered at CMA for the announcement. Speakers included college freshmen Malik Stroughther and Portia Anderson, who have received the promise, Dr. Dan Hugley, Ralph Bland, Dr. Patrick McNaly, and Sandy Baruah.
Detroit was among the first cities in America to get full tuition coverage for community colleges through a scholarship program.
"The essence of Detroit is the people of Detroit," Snyder said.
The Promise scholarship prerequisites for community college funding requires at least a 2.5 grade-point average and a score of 18 on the ACT or a SAT equivalent of 950. For four-year colleges and universities, at least an ACT score of 21 or a SAT equivalent of 1070 with a 3.0 grade-point average is needed.
"You have the opportunity," Duggan said.
