Photo: Chaiel Schaffel/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — It must have felt like a miracle for several high school students at Brockton High School.
Livingstone College, a tiny HBCU in North Carolina, is again offering some in the Class of 2025 the opportunity to dodge student debt with scholarships in the fall. The college said students with an A- average or higher will get a full ride, with tuition, board, and all fees paid off, instantly — no interviews or tests necessary.
President Anthony Davis and other representatives from the school traveled from North Carolina to Massachusetts to convince the students to enroll.
“Let’s find students who are high academic achievers and guess what, they pay no money out of pocket,” said President Davis. Davis was connected with Brockton through Michael Curry, a local on the NAACP’s board of directors.
Brockton faculty and staff understand the impact of the opportunities, especially with the cost of higher education rising. Acknowledging that finances can be a barrier for certain people to go to college, Brockton Principal Kevin McCaskill said this is a big opportunity for smart kids without the money to get a bachelor’s degree.
“It’s a game changer. It’s life changing. You get the opportunity to go to a four-year school and get a quality education,” said Principal McCaskill.
The college also has something to gain from Brockton’s best and brightest. It’s a small school, with a 28% graduation rate and only a couple-dozen majors. President Davis said the school is rapidly improving its offerings. The freshman class size has doubled over previous years, and the graduation rate has climbed.
Noting that community college seemed to be the only viable option before the Livingstone pitch, some seniors are now looking at their futures with renewed hope.
“There are many people who are going to community college, and I just wanted to challenge myself,” said Biane Viana.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Chaiel Schaffel (@CSchaffelWBZ) reports.
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