In the fall of 2005, Kalamazoo Public Schools introduced the Kalamazoo Promise. A group of citizens interested in economic strength and quality of life in the City of Kalamazoo made a tremendous contribution on behalf students attending Kalamazoo Public Schools - to provide each Kalamazoo Public School graduate with the opportunity to attend post-secondary education with up to a 100% tuition scholarship. All students who graduate from Kalamazoo Public Schools, are residing in the district and have been students four years or more will be given funding for college tuition and mandatory fees. The funds will be available to use at any public university or community college in the State of Michigan.

Eligibility for the program is relatively simple:

1. All students who graduate from Kalamazoo Public Schools (KPS), are residing in the district and have been KPS students four years or more are eligible; enrollment and residency must be continuous.

2. Students must be admitted to and enrolled at a public State of Michigan university or community college. Students then need to:

a. Make regular progress toward a degree or certification.

b. Maintain a 2.0 grade point average (GPA)at the post-secondary institution. (If the GPA dips below 2.0, a student may be reinstated if they are able to bring their GPA back to at least a 2.0.)

c. Complete a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester.

Note: Individual summer school classes will be covered as long as the class applies toward the degree or certification program in which the student is enrolled and is taken at their designated school of choice. A special permission form must be completed AND approved in order to take summer classes at another institution.

For additional information on the program, the extent of benefits available,eligible schoolsand information on how the program has benefitted the KPS population to date, please see click here.