Detroit Regional Chamber > Chamber > Detroit Promise Expands Tuition-Free Program to Four-Year Universities

Detroit Promise Expands Tuition-Free Program to Four-Year Universities

November 29, 2016
Yesterday, on Nov. 28, the Detroit Regional Chamber joined with Gov. Rick Snyder and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan to announce the expansion of the Detroit Promise college scholarship program to include free tuition for eligible students at four-year educational institutions.

Launched in 2013, the program grew out of a collaborative effort between the Chamber, Gov. Snyder and the Michigan Education Excellence Foundation (MEEF). MEEF raises the funds for the scholarship and the Chamber partners with the schools and students to administer the program. In the past three years, nearly 2,000 Detroit high school graduates have had the opportunity to attend community college, tuition-free.

Earlier this year, Mayor Duggan launched the Detroit Promise Zone Authority that would permanently dedicate a portion of tax dollars to fund the two-year scholarships. This partnership, along with the partnerships from participating universities, allowed the program to expand to allow students that live in and attend high school in Detroit the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree from a four-year university. The expansion has been introduced as a pilot program for two cohorts of four-year students that began this fall and will include a second cohort that starts next fall. The four-year scholarships will be paid with funds raised by the MEEF, which has launched a campaign in hopes of raising $25 million over the next seven years.

In the current academic year, more than 700 students are attending two-year or four-year colleges through “last-dollar” scholarships, which cover tuition and other mandatory fees not covered by federal or state grant sources.

“In order for Detroit to compete and win in the 21st century global economy, the city needs world-class talent” said Sandy Baruah, president and CEO of the Detroit Regional Chamber. “We’re pleased to partner with Gov. Snyder, Mayor Duggan, education partners and the funders to fulfill the Detroit Promise, and see post-secondary degrees increase in the city of Detroit.”

For more information on eligibility and instructions on how to register, please visit the Detroit Promise website.