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<p><a href=“http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/16/magazine/kalamazoo-mich-the-city-that-pays-for-college.html?_r=1&ref=us[/url]”>http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/16/magazine/kalamazoo-mich-the-city-that-pays-for-college.html?_r=1&ref=us</a></p>
<p>The Pittsburgh Promise has a few restrictions but it also was set up to keep kids in the public school system. To receive the full amount ($10,000/year) for this year’s graduates, the student must attend a public or charter school for all 13 years, beginning in kindergarten. The amount is reduced for students starting in first, sixth, or ninth. Any student starting after ninth is not eligible. Pittsburgh does have grade and attendance standards that began with 2.0 and 80%(I think) and increased to 2.5 after 3 years. The first year, the student had to attend a school in Allegheny County or a system sponsored school. Now, any PA accredited school is eligible. To continue each year, the student must make academic progress. There are some other provisions to help struggling students that were set up through the local community college.</p>
<p>From the article, it looks like “tuition at Michigan’s public colleges, universities and community colleges” (so full in-state tuition, not full ride). The city has a private college (Kalamazoo), a state university (Western Michigan), and a community college (Kalamazoo Valley) available for those who need or want to commute to one.</p>
<p>I like this idea. I think that states guaranteeing college tuition to those that graduate with a good GPA (not perfect, but good) may help increase graduation rates among low income. IF the program is handled correctly, and the students are provided with the public school support to make the grades. </p>
<p>I am sure there are negatives, and paying for it will be one of them. But it is something to help.</p>
<p>ucb, MSU is also within commuting distance. Also, the Kalamazoo Promise cannot be applied to Kzoo as it’s a private college.</p>
<p>vlines, this isn’t a state program. It’s being funded by anonymous private donors. Also, the program is blind to grades and family income. Any student who graduates from HS in Kalamazoo is eligible. The donors believe that it’s a long-term investment in the Kalamazoo area.</p>
<p>Here in Ohio, graduates of Oberlin h.s. have a similar offer if they are accepted to Oberlin.</p>
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<p>Slight correction: Any student who graduates from any of the three Kalamazoo public high schools, and who has attended all 4 years, is eligible.</p>
<p>As noted above, the program is limited to Michigan public colleges and community colleges, and covers tuition and some fees, but not room, board, or books. It is really not “free college” but is is of course a good deal.</p>
<p>New Haven, CT has a Promise program. I didn’t read the whole Kalamazoo article, but in New Haven you have to meet a volunteer, service requirement. Promise pays full-tuition at a public university, and $2,500 per year at a private school–but only in Connecticut. Yale is funding the program to the tune of $4 million annually.</p>