GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The 2025 graduates at Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) who’ve received support and funding from the Grand Rapids Promise Zone mark five academic years of the scholarship providing free education for all eligible Grand Rapids students.

Representing the first city-wide partnership between public, public charter, and private schools in Grand Rapids’ history, the Grand Rapids Promise Zone Authority removes financial barriers to higher education for all Grand Rapids students by covering tuition, fees, textbooks, and more. Since it launched in 2020, nearly 2,000 GRCC students have received support by the Grand Rapids Promise Zone Scholarship. The first class of eligible students in fall 2020 had 245 enrolled with support by the Grand Rapids Promise Zone. This past fall, that number grew to more than 700 enrolled students.

The process to create the Grand Rapids Promise Zone Authority began in 2018, when the Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS) Board of Education adopted a resolution declaring its intention to establish a Promise Zone throughout the geographic boundary of GRPS pursuant to Michigan Promise Zone Authority Act (Act 549 of 2008). Late that year, the Michigan Department of Treasury confirmed Grand Rapids’ designation as a Michigan Promise Zone.

In taking the next step toward establishing a Promise Zone Authority, the GRPS Board of Education appointed nine members to the Grand Rapids Promise Zone Authority Board. Two additional members were appointed by the Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives and the Majority Leader of the Michigan Senate. In the fall of 2019, the Grand Rapids Promise Zone Authority Board held its first meeting, during which board members took the constitutional oath of office, elected a chairperson, and established the expiration dates for each member’s term.

“For the students who’ve come to GRCC because of the Promise Zone, they will make a difference,” said Tersea Weatherall Neal, founding board member and past chair of the Grand Rapids Promise Zone Authority. “But it won’t only make a difference in their lives, but a difference in generations to come. Sometimes we just have to hold their hand to get them to the first step, and then they will be able to fly and finish this journey on their own.”

To qualify for the Promise Zone scholarship, students must live in the city of Grand Rapids and graduate from one of the 25 eligible high schools in the city. Whether students plan to transfer to a four-year university or join the workforce, the support and funding from the Grand Rapids Promise Zone can help them achieve a GRCC degree or job training certificate program.

The Grand Rapids Promise Zone Scholarship opens doors to students who may otherwise not be able to attend college or be burdened by the cost. First year student Alexandra Aguilar-Delgado is the first in her family to attend college.

“This scholarship allows me the opportunity to pursue my dreams without the financial burden that often comes with a college degree,” Aguilar-Delgado said. “College is completely free, just because I went to a certain school and lived in a certain area. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for this scholarship program.”

With a holistic view of student success, students need additional support beyond just tuition and fees. That is why the Grand Rapids Promise Zone continues to evolve. For the 2024 – 2025 academic year, a $500 credit per fall and winter semester was added on student ID cards for on-campus expenses such as food, parking/transportation, printing, and more. Another addition included additional staff to support student success on-campus and connect students with both on and off-campus resources.

“I see everything that we do as a service because we are here to serve students, teachers, faculty, staff, and families,” said Tom DeJonge, chair, Grand Rapids Promise Zone Authority. “We are firmly confident that students at Grand Rapids Community College are positioned to not just be in school but to flourish, succeed and graduate into the world of work or a four-year university.”

Promise scholarships like the one in Grand Rapids are currently offered in 13 Promise Zone communities across the state.