Attention Graduating Seniors!

Newaygo County Area Promise Zone Scholarship Application Now Open
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The Newaygo County Area Promise Zone provides high school graduates with a tuition-free path to an associate degree from Muskegon Community College or an approved apprenticeship.  The Promise Zone believes that every student, regardless of financial means, should have the opportunity to earn post-secondary credentials. 
 
By helping to remove the financial barrier that so many students face, the Promise Zone is helping to remove a cultural stigma that college is too expensive. Many students are starting to believe that higher education is within their reach and are taking steps to plan for their future.

Blake Prewitt, the Newaygo County Area Promise Zone Chair shares, “There is nothing more important than the education of children for their future success. In our society, education is required after high school, but your access to post-secondary education depends on your social-economic status. The Promise Zone levels this playing field so all students can achieve a post-secondary education, and therefore give our community more highly skilled employees.”

Since beginning in 2017, the Promise Zone has awarded over $1.9 million in tuition payments in support of over 263 Newaygo County Promise Scholars who have enrolled in their post-secondary journey.

The online application is now available for first year applicants at www.promise.zone.  Applications are due no later than March 1, 2022.

To qualify a student must:

• Graduate from a Newaygo County high school or a registered Newaygo County homeschool and reside in the NC RESA service area.
  • Scholarship amount is awarded based on years attended, 100% is awarded if a student attends grades 7th-12th in a qualifying school or a registered homeschool.
• Achieve a minimum final and unweighted high school GPA of 3.0 (or a minimum GPA of 2.0 to qualify for an apprenticeship program).
• Begin using the scholarship within one year of high school graduation and complete the program within three years from beginning the scholarship.
• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and apply for other scholarships.  The Promise Scholarship is a last dollar scholarship.

The Promise Scholarship covers tuition and mandatory fees up to 62 attempted college credits at Muskegon Community College.  Books are not covered by the scholarship.  Students must be enrolled at full-time status and attend a mandatory orientation to qualify.  

An online scholarship renewal is required each year of eligibility for returning scholars. The online renewal application becomes available in June each year.

For more information about the Newaygo County Area Promise Zone visit www.promise.zone, email [email protected] or call 231.924.8888.