Scholarship
Made for You
The Kalamazoo Promise is a scholarship for each Kalamazoo Public School’s resident graduate that provides up to 100% tuition for post-secondary education.
11 Things You Need to Know
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The Kalamazoo Promise is for ALL resident students of the Kalamazoo Public Schools. Students that attend charter schools do not earn credit toward Kalamazoo Promise scholarships during the time that they are in these non-KPS schools.
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You must reside within the boundaries of KPS.
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You must have at least all of the high school years (9-12) in KPS (enrollment and residency must be continuous) and graduate from KPS (Central / Loy Norrix / Phoenix / KILP).
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The Kalamazoo Promise will not end.
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The Kalamazoo Promise is a scholarship for any post-secondary education certificate, associate or bachelor program of study at the schools listed below, up to 145 credit hours total eligibility.
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Vocational education is covered through certification or degree programs at state supported community colleges, The Michigan Career and Technical Institute (MCTI) and apprenticeships with Kalamazoo Electrical (KJATC) and Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights (MRCC).
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You have ten years from the time you graduate from high school to use your Promise and can start and stop at any time.
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The Kalamazoo Promise covers tuition and mandatory fees.
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Students sign up for The Kalamazoo Promise at the beginning of their senior year with their Promise Pathway Coach. Meetings are held for all seniors each fall. There are two simple forms to fill out for the Kalamazoo Promise.
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There is an appeal process for students during their senior year, especially for hardship cases (e.g., custody, death in the family, and foster care placement).
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Part-time status is acceptable for the following: all students at Kalamazoo Valley Community College, all students enrolled during summer semester, and on a case-by-case basis for all other students.
Eligibility for The Kalamazoo Promise
1. All students who graduate from Kalamazoo Public Schools (KPS), 2006 and beyond, are residing in the district, and have been KPS students for at least all of high school (enrollment and residency must be continuous).
2. Admitted to and enrolled at any of the post-secondary institutions listed here:
a. Be enrolled as a full-time student, typically 12 credit hours a semester. Exceptions to this requirement are made for all students at Kalamazoo Valley Community College, all students enrolled during summer semesters, and on a case-by-case basis for all other students.
Complete, with a passing grade, a minimum of the credit hours paid by The Kalamazoo Promise as defined in Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) of The Promise. We understand that sometimes life gets in the way of a student’s best efforts. This document is designed to help students understand their options if this happens.
Earn a 2.0 (C) grade point average (GPA) each semester while using The Promise
Maintain a 2.0 (C) cumulative grade point average (GPA)
Extent of Benefits
The tuition benefit will be based on the length of continuous attendance and residency in the Kalamazoo Public School system.
| Length of Attendance | Benefit | Length of Attendance | Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| K-12 | 100% | 7-12 | 75% |
| 1-12 | 95% | 8-12 | 70% |
| 2-12 | 95% | 9-12 | 65% |
| 3-12 | 95% | 10-12 | None |
| 4-12 | 90% | 11-12 | None |
| 5-12 | 85% | 12-12 | None |
| 6-12 | 80% |
Terms of Scholarship
This scholarship program provides up to 145 credits of tuition (in state) and mandatory fees for post-secondary education (per the scale above). Mandatory fees are defined using the same definition as the Michigan Educational Trust and are determined by each educational institution.
Students must be full-time, taking 12 credit hours per semester minimum, except as noted under Eligibility.
This scholarship may only be used at one school a semester, all sessions starting May through August are considered one semester.
Students must maintain minimal Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards that are used to determine continuing eligibility for Promise funding and we also understand that sometimes life gets in the way of a student’s best efforts. Please see The Kalamazoo Promise Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Standards outlined here including what to do if you have a difficult semester.
Eligibility for The Kalamazoo Promise will be exhausted when ANY ONE of the following occurs:
145 credits have been awarded
10 years from the date of high school graduation (exceptions to this requirement are granted for military service).
A Bachelor degree is completed
Promise Eligible Institutions: A Path for Every Student
There are many apprenticeships and skilled trade programs, community colleges (which also offer many skilled trade certificates and credentials), public universities and several private colleges in Michigan that are Promise eligible. Explore the list below!
Apprenticeships & Skilled Trade Programs
Community Colleges (Including many skilled trade certificates and credentials)
Colleges & Universities
- Western Michigan University
- Michigan State University
- Northern Michigan University
- Central Michigan University
- Grand Valley State University
- University of Michigan
- Eastern Michigan University
- Ferris State University
- Kendall College of Art & Design of Ferris State University
- Lake Superior State University
- Michigan Technical University
- Oakland University
- Saginaw Valley State University
- Wayne State University
Michigan Colleges Alliance
Attending an MCA Institution?
Learn more about how your Promise works with the Michigan Colleges Alliance.
Get There
The Kalamazoo Promise is more than a scholarship. It’s an opportunity, a dream—a Promise.
Check out a few basic things you’ll probably need to make the Promise work for you:
