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Begin by answering these three questions:

1. Have I lived within the Grand Rapids Public Schools service area continuously, since before 11th grade?

2. Have I also been enrolled at an eligible high school located within the boundaries of the City of Grand Rapids since before 11th grade?

3. Will I graduate?

If you answered “yes” to ALL THREE questions, you are eligible. Unfortunately, if you answered “no” to ONE of the questions above, you are likely not eligible.

If you’re eligible, here’s how much you can expect to receive.

Full scholarship:

If you have been enrolled at an eligible high school and have also lived within the Grand Rapids Public Schools service area continuously, since before the 10th grade, you are eligible for 100% of the scholarship.

Partial scholarship:

If you have been enrolled at an eligible high school and have also lived within the Grand Rapids Public Schools service area continuously, since before the 11th grade, you are eligible for 50% of the scholarship.

The Grand Rapids Promise Zone Scholarship is available to EVERY eligible student who lives within the boundaries of the City of Grand Rapids, attends ANY of the 25 public, private, or public charter high schools within the City of Grand Rapids for at least two academic years, and graduates from ANY of the 25 Promise Zone-eligible high schools. This scholarship is NOT limited to Grand Rapids Public Schools students. Further, the scholarship is open to 5th year seniors who graduate high school, and to graduates of alternative high schools.

The Grand Rapids Promise Zone Authority and all of the partners involved have done their best to remove as many barriers to this scholarship as possible. We want students to graduate high school and remain successful throughout college as they pursue their career.

This scholarship covers tuition, books/supplies, and any mandatory fees associated with attending Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) for up to 72 attempted credit hours or one job-training program. This scholarship can be used for the fall, winter, and summer semesters.

Examples of required materials include:

• drawing supplies and other art materials

• tools and calculators

• medical supplies for health majors (e.g. scrubs, stethoscopes, etc.)

• culinary supplies (e.g. apron kits, baker caps)

• materials that are defined on the instructor’s syllabi

Laptops, tablets, or other similar electronic devices would not be considered a requirement since the student can use the open computer labs on campus, the library, and/or check laptops out for a day at a time.

Required textbooks and materials must be purchased through GRCC’s Bookstore.

The Grand Rapids Promise Zone Scholarship is a “last dollar” scholarship. This means that your federal or state need-based aid is used first, and the scholarship will cover any remaining balance. Students are required to complete their FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to determine eligibility for available state and federal need-based aid. Students who are not eligible to submit a FAFSA do not have to complete the form.

Complete the FAFSA at studentaid.gov.

Undocumented and DACA students are exempt from completing a FAFSA form.

Currently, this scholarship is only eligible at Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC). However, you can transfer those credits to many colleges and universities across the state and country as you continue your education!

Many students who are attending another 4-year college or university take courses as a Guest student at GRCC. They are then able to transfer those credits back to their home institution and apply them to their bachelors degree.

To receive a 100% scholarship: You need to live continuously within the boundaries of the City Grand Rapids AND be enrolled continuously in an eligible high school before 10th grade.

To receive a 50% scholarship: You need to live continuously within the boundaries of City of Grand Rapids AND be enrolled continuously in an eligible high school since before 11th grade.

Those who move to the City of Grand Rapids or start at an eligible high school after the start of 11th grade are not eligible for this scholarship.

C.A. Frost Environmental Science Academy

Grace Christian Academy

Grand Rapids City High School

Grand Rapids Learning Center

Grand Rapids Montessori High School

Grand Rapids Public Museum School

Grand Rapids University Prep

Innovation Central High School

Ottawa Hills High School

Southeast Career Pathways

Southwest Community Campus High School

Union High School

Grand Rapids Adventist Academy

Grand Rapids Catholic Central High School

Grand Rapids Christian High School

Grand Rapids Covenant House Academy

Hope Academy of West Michigan

Lake Michigan Academy

NorthPointe Christian High School

NexTech High School

Plymouth Christian High School

Sacred Heart Academy High School

Wellspring Preparatory High School

West Catholic High School

West Michigan Aviation Academy

Student receives award notification!

Eligible students will be identified through your high school and receive an award notification from the Grand Rapids Promise Zone.

Fill out your FAFSA

In order to be eligible for the Grand Rapids Promise Zone Scholarship, students must apply for federal student aid by filling out a FAFSA form.

Apply for FAFSA here: StudentAid.gov

Undocumented and DACA students are exempt from completing a FAFSA form.

Graduate

Students need to graduate from one of the 25 schools listed above.

Apply to GRCC!

This scholarship covers tuition, books/supplies, and any mandatory fees associated with attending GRCC.

No. Students can attend college part-time, but must enroll in at least 6 credit hours during the fall and winter semesters. Students can enroll in fewer than 6 credit hours in the summer semester.

Students have five years from high school graduation to utilize the scholarship. For instance, a student graduating high school in May 2020 would have until the end of the Summer 2025 semester to utilize their scholarship fund. Any courses completed after that point would not be covered by the scholarship. Students do not have to be continually enrolled in college during those five years.

No. We believe if you are prepared enough to graduate from a Grand Rapids high school and are excited to continue your education, you should be given the resources to do so. Therefore, there is no high school GPA or attendance requirement for this scholarship. However, admissions criteria for Grand Rapids Community College will be in effect. For more information about admissions criteria, please visit grcc.edu.

The Promise Zone Scholarship can be used for the following programs at GRCC:

Full Promise Zone Allocation

Computer Support Technician

Machinist/CNC Technician

Automotive Technician

Welding/Fabrication Technician

Introduction to Commercial and Residential Construction

Residential Construction

Medical Assistant

Construction Electrical

Partial Promise Zone Allocation*

Certified Nursing Assistant

Public Works Academy and CDL

Here is the full list of academic programs: catalog.grcc.edu

*Students who enroll in these programs may have some promise zone funding still available after completion of the program.

FAFSA

In order to be eligible for the Grand Rapids Promise Zone Scholarship, students must apply for federal student aid by completing and submitting a FAFSA form at studentaid.gov. FAFSA is the form all students must submit to apply for state and federal student aid. Once you’ve submitted a FAFSA, the government will determine your need based on a variety of factors and award financial aid to the student. The Grand Rapids Promise Zone Scholarship covers the remaining costs for tuition and mandatory fees after state and federal need-based aid is applied. Undocumented and DACA students are exempt from completing a FAFSA form.

Students must maintain their educational excellence by adhering to the Grand Rapids Community College standards of academic progress. More information can be found here: grcc.edu/studentrecords/aboutacademicstanding

You can fill out the form below for more information.

You can also send us an email promisezone@grcc.edu or call 616-234-4321.