Benton Harbor has made a promise to the young people of the community.
Beginning in the spring of 2011, graduating high school seniors will be eligible for fully funded tuition and all mandatory fees for two years of secondary education.
The tuition awards are what is known as last dollar, meaning students must first apply for Pell Grants and other scholarships, those funds are applied to tuition expenses, and the remaining amount is paid as part of the Benton Harbor Promise.
Graduates of Benton Harbor High School, Dream Academy and Countryside Academy all qualify for The Promise, it was announced at press conference called to detail the establishment of the Benton Harbor Promise.
The tuition awards will be available for up to 10 years after graduation.
Consortium for Community Development President Dr. Marcus Robinson said the goal is to create a college-going culture in the community that has the potential "to end generations of poverty and help assure no one is left out or left behind."
Through the creation of the Benton Harbor Promise Zone, the community will be promoting education reform in all seven municipalities it covers.
"This reform is not just for juniors and seniors, it will bring change from kindergarten through 12," said Cathy Averill, Benton Harbor Promise Zone chairwoman. "It will transform the whole Benton Harbor community."
The program not only will assist graduates with funds for school, but with extra help they may need in navigating college and financial aid applications and more. The College Access Network and Center has been created to offer such support and other services as necessary, since many students will be the first in their families to attend college.
Officials expect to repeat the success of the Kalamazoo Promise -- increasing student enrollment, reducing the number of high school drop outs, improving grade point averages and more parental involvement.
Unlike the Kalamazoo Promise, which is funded in perpetuity by anonymous local donors, the Benton Harbor Promise Zone started out with no funding. The board has been working to raise the funds needed.
So far, $350,000 has been raised, about one-third of what initially will be needed, Averill said. The board has applied to the Frederick S. Upton Foundation for a $75,000 grant. The board also has been talking to the area's two largest employers in hopes of establishing an employee match program. Funding also is being sought from other foundations, corporations and a wide-range of grass roots organizations.
"You don't have to be a philanthropist to make a donation," Robinson said. "Even a contribution of $10 a month will help."
Once the program has been in place for three years, it will be eligible for funding through the
State of Michigan's Promise Zone Authority program. As property tax revenues collected in the zone go up though the appreciation of property values, half of that increase will go to the Promise Zone Authority for scholarship awards. Without the formation of the Promise Zone those funds would go into a state account that supports all of Michigan's school districts.
The Benton Harbor Zone is one of 10 created across the state.
Writer: Kathy Jennings
Source: Media Roundtable on the Benton Harbor Promise
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