Nov. 22, 2024
Students graduating from Newaygo County high schools or registered homeschool programs will be eligible for scholarships of up to $5,000 a year to attend Ferris State University through the Newaygo County Area Promise Zone, a partnership leaders say will put a life-changing college education within reach for many students.
Ferris State President Bill Pink and Newaygo County Area Promize Zone Chairperson Blake Prewitt signed an agreement on Friday to put the plan into effect immediately, making the Newaygo Promise Scholarship available for students attending Ferris State in fall 2025, seeking either an associate or bachelor’s degrees.
“Communities grow and thrive when residents have access to a quality education,” Ferris State President Bill Pink said. “I am so thrilled to form this partnership with the Newaygo Promise Zone Authority, as it will provide students with even more opportunities and improve access to our transformational programs at Ferris State. This will positively impact students directly, but also families and the greater Newaygo County community.”
The Newaygo County Promise Scholarship will cover a maximum of $5,000 a year for up to four years of attendance. Students will be required to attend Ferris State full time, carrying a class load of least 12 credit hours each semester.
The Newaygo County Area Promise Zone was started in 2016 and was initially available for students to attend Muskegon Community College. The Ferris State agreement is the Promise Zone’s first partnership with a four-year college. It includes students residing in the districts of Big Jackson, Fremont, Grant, Hesperia, Newaygo, and White Cloud.
“We are thrilled to announce the addition of Ferris State University as an eligible college for the Promise Zone Scholarship,” Prewitt said. “Ferris State has been a valued partner to Newaygo County school districts, and we look forward to the incredible opportunities this will create for our students to succeed and thrive.”
To be eligible, students will need to have a final cumulative unweighted grade point average of 2.50 upon graduating from a public high school or registered homeschool program from within Newaygo County.
The scholarship awards will be 100 percent funded for all eligible students who have attended a Newaygo County Area school for grades 7-12 and have successfully graduated. Students can receive a prorated amount if they have attended for fewer years.
Students must meet the legal eligibility requirements for federal financial aid and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid annually.
Ferris State financial aid specialists will work with Promise students to help them apply for Pell Grants and other types of financial aid.
Jeanine Ward-Roof, Ferris state’s vice president for Student Affairs., said the university is excited to provide students in Newaygo County significant financial support toward a degree.
“Ferris is a place where we know students can achieve their dreams and the resources afforded by the Newaygo County Area Promise will make a degree and a path toward a fulfilling career more accessible,” she said.
“Additionally, the Newaygo County Promise Zone scholarship program includes success coaches who will partner with resource areas at Ferris to add an additional layer of support, helping students find success while pursuing their degree!”
Once at Ferris State, students must maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA, be enrolled on a full-time basis for the completion of at least 24 credit hours each academic year and meet satisfactory academic progress requirements.
Promise Zone authorities are created using private donations to fund scholarships but are able to use locally generated state funds after operating for and awarding scholarships for two years.
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