Grand Rapids Promise Zone Scholarship
Scholarship Eligibility
- Have you been enrolled at an eligible Grand Rapids high school since the beginning of 11th grade?*
- Will you graduate?
- Do you live in the City of Grand Rapids?
If you answered yes to all three of these questions, you can get the Promise Zone scholarship!
*If you have been enrolled at an eligible high school and have lived in the City of Grand Rapids since the start of 10th grade, you are eligible for 100% of the scholarship.
If you have been enrolled at an eligible high school and lived in the City of Grand Rapids since the start of 11th grade, you are eligible for 50% of the scholarship.
What does eligible for 50% or 100% mean?
The scholarship covers up to 60 credit hours (or 30 credit hours for 50% eligible students) at GRCC, which is the number of credits to earn most associates degrees offered at the college.
The scholarship also covers many GRCC Job Training certificate programs. Some programs are eligible for a full allocation and others are eligible for partial allocation. Please visit grpromisezone.com (link is external) for more information.
What does the scholarship cover?
- Tuition and fees
- Textbooks
- Required course materials (based on instructor syllabi)
Does the scholarship expire?
You have five years from your high school graduation to utilize the scholarship, or until you reach your eligible credit hour limit (60 or 30 credits)—whichever happens first.
Do I have to enroll full-time?
No, students can attend college part-time. However, while enrolled in college, students must register for at least 6 credit hours per semester. Students can enroll for less than 6 credit hours in the summer semester.
Additional questions? Contact the Promise Zone Director at promisezone@grcc.edu or 616-234-4321.
1. Apply to Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) at grcc.edu/apply (link is external).
GRCC is an open-door institution. This means anyone can get access to a high-quality education that will set them up for a great career, or get them ready to transfer to a four-year college or university!
2. Submit your high school transcripts and your SAT scores.*
Transcripts and SAT scores should be submitted to the GRCC Enrollment Center.
Email: enroll@grcc.edu
Fax: 616-234-3200
Mail: GRCC Admissions, 143 Bostwick NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
You may need to complete the GRCC placement test based on your high school transcript and SAT scores. Don't worry! It's not a pass or fail test. GRCC will simply use the results to help you decide which courses to take first.
*If you are pursuing an 18-week job training program, you will be asked to complete the ACT WorkKeys assessment. SAT scores are not required for the job training programs. Visit grcc.edu/jobtraining (link is external) for more information about the enrollment process.
3. Complete the FAFSA: fafsa.gov (link is external)
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required to be eligible for the Promise Zone Scholarship. Don't be concerned if you get selected for FAFSA verification. Turn in the additional documents requested right away, and before the semester starts.
If you have concerns about filing a FAFSA or you are unable to complete a FAFSA, please contact the Promise Zone Director via email at promisezone@grcc.edu or by phone at 616-234-4321.
4. Register for GRCC New Student Orientation: grcc.edu/newstudent (link is external)
During orientation, you will meet with an academic advisor and register for classes.
5. Attend college!
Ave Maria University
Ave Maria is hosting their annual Fall Fest on Saturday, October 10, 2020, to educate juniors and seniors about the generous scholarship opportunities for Ave Mara University. This event is free, but registration is necessary to attend. Please click HERE for registration and more information.
Grace Christian University
Deadline: October 30, 2020
Grace Christian University is offering a $600 scholarship. For more information click HERE.
The following scholarships are offered by organizations, not individual colleges/universities. Make sure to check the organization's website for the most up-to-date information regarding deadlines and application requirements.
Deadline: Monthly Awards
Info/Apply: opportunity.collegeboard.org
The College Board has launched a new scholarship program with $5 million of scholarships each year. The more effort you put in, the more opportunities you have to earn a scholarship. Class of 2021 students, complete five of the six actions on the College Board to be eligible to earn $40,000:
- Build Your College List ($500)
- Practice for the SAT ($1,000)
- Improve Your Score ($2,000)
- Strengthen Your College List ($500)
- Complete the FAFSA ($1,000)
- Apply to Colleges ($1,000)
Scholarships will be awarded through monthly drawings to students who complete each action.
Deadline: October 31, 2020
Info/Apply: coca-colascholarsfoundation.org/apply/
The Coca-Cola Scholars Program scholarship is an achievement-based scholarship awarded to graduating high school seniors. Students are recognized for their capacity to lead and serve, as well as their commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities. With the 32nd class in 2020, the Foundation has provided over 6,300 Coca-Cola Scholars with more than $72 million in educational support. 150 Coca-Cola Scholars are selected each year to receive this $20,000 scholarship.
Deadline: January 31, 2021
Info/Apply: dar.org/national-society/scholarships
Each year the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) awards multiple scholarships to students showing dedication to the pursuit of higher education in diverse areas of study including history, economics, law, political science, medicine, nursing, occupational and physical therapy, elementary and secondary education, chemistry, math, science and English.
Deadline: February 5, 2021
Info/Apply: elks.org/scholars/scholarships/Legacy.cfm
Legacy Awards are $4,000 scholarships available to children and grandchildren of Elks members.
Deadline: November 15, 2020
Info/Apply: elks.org/scholars/scholarships/mvs.cfm
The Elks National Foundation will award 500 four-year scholarships to the highest-rated applicants in the 2021 competition.
Ranging from $1,000 per year to $12,500 per year, Most Valuable Student scholarships are for students pursuing a four-year degree, on a full-time basis (minimum of 12 semester hours), in a U.S. college or university. All scholarships are in the form of certificates of award conditional upon the full-time enrollment of the winner in an accredited U.S. college or university.
Deadline: Varies
Info/Apply: scholars.horatioalger.org/horatio-alger-scholarship-applications/
The Horatio Alger Association has multiple scholarship programs available to students. Please visit their website for more information.
Deadline: October 30, 2020
Info/Apply: jkcf.org/our-scholarships/college-scholarship-program/
The Cooke College Scholarship Program is an undergraduate scholarship program available to high-achieving high school seniors with financial need who seek to attend and graduate from the nation's best four-year colleges and universities.
Deadline: April 30, 2021
Info/Apply: mccormickmurphy.com/#scholarship (link is external)
This scholarship is a one-time award worth $500 to be awarded the fall semester of 2021. Applicants must plan to attend college by fall semester 2021. This scholarship is judged and awarded primarily on merit and need
Deadline: November 10, 2020
Info/Apply: spirit.prudential.com/apply/2021 (link is external)
Are you a middle level or high school student making a difference through volunteering? Apply today for national recognition, a scholarship and an invitation to the program's national recognition events!
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards honors students in grades 5-12 for making meaningful contributions to their communities through volunteer service.