What is Challenge Scholars?
Grand Rapids Community Foundation believes that education after high school is really important to a student’s lifetime success. To ensure students have the academic, social and financial resources they need to go to college, the Community Foundation has partnered with Grand Rapids Public Schools to create Challenge Scholars.
We are challenging your student to achieve his/her highest potential. For your student this program will provide:
- The support of math and literacy coaches and a college pathway coordinator.
- Access to afterschool and summer learning opportunities.
- After graduating from Union High School, students in the class of 2020 and the classes that follow (4th grade or younger this year) will receive a last dollar scholarship to a Michigan public college or university of their choice. The scholarship can also be used for certified vocational training.
How can I be sure my student is a Challenge Scholar?
Every student at Harrison Park is a Challenge Scholar. Starting this school year, all students will benefit from math and literacy coaches and a college pathway coordinator. The entire school is focusing on the importance of education after high school.
If your child is in the 4th grade or younger this year, he/she will be invited to receive a last dollar college scholarship. To receive the scholarship, he/she must continue attending Harrison Park or Westwood Middle School, maintain good academic standing and graduate on-time from Union High School.
What does “last dollar scholarship” mean?
A last dollar scholarship will help cover the remaining cost for college after financial aid, scholarships and family contributions are received. This scholarship will be renewable for a total of 4 consecutive years.
How much scholarship money will my child receive as a Challenge Scholar?
There is no set amount that each Challenge Scholar will receive. It depends on individual family circumstances, such as the amount of Financial Aid and other scholarships received and the cost of the college he or she is attending.
What if four-year college isn’t for my student?
Challenge Scholars can use their scholarship to receive vocational credentials available at community colleges such as EMT paramedic training, construction trades (such as electrician or HVAC technician), auto repair or culinary arts.
What if my student is in the 5th, 6th, 7th or 8th grade this year?
Your student will benefit from the services of math and literacy coaches and a college pathway coordinator.
Your student will also receive additional college planning services at Union High School through the Challenge Scholars program. Though your student will not receive the Challenge Scholars last dollar college scholarship, he/she will be encouraged to apply for other Community Foundation scholarships.
Why Harrison Park? Why not other schools?
We want to be sure this new and innovative program progresses as planned, so we are focusing on one school at this time. Harrison Park School was selected because it is a preK-8 school and allows us to work with the same group of students and teachers over time. It is a Kent School Services Network School offering health, mental and social services onsite to students and their families. In 2010 it was named a Meijer Good School meaning it met benchmarks for student success and showed promise for further improvements. It starts at Harrison Park, but it doesn’t stop there. Challenge Scholars services will be extended to Westwood Middle in 2013 and later to Union High School.
Who is running this program?
Grand Rapids Community Foundation is partnering with Grand Rapids Public Schools to bring this opportunity to your student. Funding for Challenge Scholars is made possible by the Community Foundation and its generous donors.