Frequently Asked Questions
Last revised 25 August 2008
General questions about The Detroit College Promise:
What is the Kalamazoo Promise?
The Kalamazoo Promise provides scholarships to Michigan public colleges and universities for all students who graduate from Kalamazoo Public Schools, reside in the district, and have been Kalamazoo Public School students for at least four years. There are no income or academic restrictions. The scholarships range from 65% to 100% of tuition and mandatory fees, based on the number of years of continuous public school attendance and residency (65% for 4 years to 100% for 13 years, nothing if less than 4 years). The Kalamazoo Promise was entirely funded by anonymous donors.
What is the Detroit College Promise?
The Detroit College Promise is a scholarship program modeled on the Kalamazoo Promise, but with one important difference - we are raising the scholarship funds ourselves.
How will my donation be used?
100% of all donations will be used for scholarships, because all of our organizational expenses (salaries, rent, office expenses, fundraising expenses, etc.) are being paid by PathologyOutlines.com, Inc. (see below) or by fundraising events, at least for the time being. The scholarship amounts for each student will be sent directly to the college or university. No money will be paid to students, parents or the Detroit Public Schools. Any excess funds (i.e. if the student has excess scholarship money or drops classes) will be returned to The Detroit College Promise.
Why not wait for the State to implement Promise Zones?
The State of Michigan has pending legislation that would establish Promise Zones, to set up scholarships with some similarities to the Kalamazoo Promise (see Senate Bill 0861 (2007), analysis of legislation). However, no legislation has passed to date. We have met with Representative Tim Melton, the sponsor of this legislation, and will follow it to seek ways in which we can work together.
Specific questions about the Detroit College Promise scholarships:
How is attendance calculated if the student leaves the Detroit Public School (DPS) system and then returns?
From the date of most recent enrollment as a full time student. Students who take only some classes at DPS and receive education elsewhere (charter schools, private schools, home schooling) are not eligible.
Why is the benefit graduated on a sliding scale?
The Detroit College Promise is designed to provide maximum benefit to long-term attendees. We want to encourage families to make early decisions to enroll their students in the Detroit Public Schools, and to maintain that enrollment through graduation.
Why offer this program to the graduates of the Detroit Public Schools?
● We believe that education promotes economic and
individual well being.
● The Detroit College Promise will encourage students to enroll in the
Detroit Public Schools, which over time will improve DPS.
● It provides a meaningful and tangible opportunity of college education
for all students.
● It will create new opportunities for DPS students and their current and
future families. We believe, and studies have shown, that there is a strong
correlation between a community’s overall academic achievement and its quality
of life.
Will students who live in a neighboring district and apply to Detroit Public Schools under a Schools of Choice Agreement be eligible for this award?
No.
Will students who attend Detroit Public Schools and transfer out of the system (to a private school, charter school, other school district or home schooling) prior to graduation be eligible?
No.
What is the application process?
Students must apply during their senior year of high school. Applications are available by clicking here or from The Detroit College Promise office. Your high school guidance office may also make them available.
Do I need to fill out the FAFSA application?
No. A FAFSA form is not required for our program, or even
to be accepted into college. However, it is required for virtually all other
scholarship and financial aid opportunities. If you need help filling out the
form, contact the financial aid office of the college or university you plan to
attend. Monies already obtained and promised through scholarships including
The Detroit College Promise are not listed on the FAFSA form. It is our
understanding that The Detroit College Promise will not disqualify you from
other scholarship opportunities. For more information, please visit www.fafsa.ed.gov.
How will this award work with other financial opportunities?
This scholarship program provides up to four years of tuition and mandatory fees for college or university. Funds can only be used for these purposes.
What are the eligible universities and/or colleges?
Every state supported public university or community college
in the State of Michigan.
Universities:
Central Michigan University
Eastern Michigan University
Ferris State University /
Kendall School of Art & Design
Grand Valley State University
Lake Superior State University
Michigan State University
Michigan Technological University
Northern Michigan University
Oakland University
Saginaw Valley State University
University of Michigan
University of Michigan Dearborn
University of Michigan Flint
Wayne State University
Western Michigan University
Community Colleges:
Alpena Community College
Grand Rapids Community College
Great Lakes Maritime Academy
Henry Ford Community College
Kalamazoo Valley Community College
Mid-Michigan Community College
Monroe County Community College
North Central Michigan College
St. Clair County Community College
Wayne County Community College
Are vocational schools eligible?
All certification or degree programs in the trades at state supported community colleges are eligible. Private apprentice programs are not eligible.
Can the scholarship be transferred to a private college or out-of-state vocational training program?
No.
Are there additional requirements that must be met after the initial award?
Yes. Applicants must demonstrate, after each semester of
college, that:
● they are enrolled as a student in good standing,
● they have successfully completed 12 credit hours in the prior semester,
● they have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher.
What happens if the student fails to meet the requirements?
If a student does not take 12 credit hours in the prior semester, is not in good standing, or has a cumulative GPA less than 2.0, the scholarship will end until these requirements are met. The scholarship can be reinstated if the student takes additional classes, NOT paid for by The Detroit College Promise, which causes the student to now meet these requirements. The scholarship is available for ten years following the student’s graduation from Detroit Public Schools, unless interrupted by military service.
If the award is not needed due to other academic scholarships, can the award be applied to room and board or other fees?
No.
What are the mandatory fees that The Detroit College Promise pays for?
We use the definition of mandatory fees of the Michigan
Educational Trust (MET):
“Mandatory fees are those required to be paid by all students attending a
particular university/college. Application fees, contact hour fees and fees
which are course specific (such as lab fees for science and computer classes,
etc.), or fees assessed based on the number of credit hours enrolled are not
covered.”
Are application fees covered?
No. However, some institutions will waive the application fee if requested because of financial hardship. There may be organizations in the Detroit community who will assist students with these fees. Once known, we will list them here.
When will scholarship funds be available?
We hope to start this program for the high school graduating class of 2009. However, this is contingent upon raising sufficient funds by November 2008.
Does the Detroit College Promise pay for deposits that colleges require to secure enrollment?
No. Most college and universities want students to make deposits to ensure that they are serious about attending their institution.
How long do students have to use The Detroit College Promise?
This scholarship program provides up to four years of tuition and mandatory fees for college. The student must be a full-time student, taking at least 12 credit hours per semester. Summer school classes are NOT covered at this time. Four years is defined as the receipt of a bachelor’s degree or 130 credit hours towards a degree, whichever occurs first. The scholarship is available for ten years following the student’s graduation from Detroit Public Schools. Exceptions to this requirement are granted for military service.
Is study abroad covered?
Study abroad is covered only if the program is administered by the Michigan college or university the student is attending. The only costs that are covered are the normal tuition costs for the credits taken abroad.
How long will The Detroit College Promise be available?
We are structuring The Detroit College Promise so it will continue in perpetuity. However, at this time we do not have the funds needed for this to happen.
How is The Detroit College Promise funded?
Our generous donors are listed on the Donor page.
Who started The Detroit College Promise?
The Detroit College Promise was founded by its Executive Director, Dr. Nat Pernick, a third generation Detroiter who himself is a product of the public school and public university system (click here for CV).
What is PathologyOutlines.com?
PathologyOutlines.com, Inc., established in August 2001, is a for-profit business with a non-profit ideology. It provides free, regularly updated, online textbooks of pathology, laboratory medicine and dermatology to professionals worldwide. The websites (www.PathologyOutlines.com and www.DermatologyOutlines.com) are entirely supported by advertising.
What is the relationship between PathologyOutlines.com, Inc. and The Detroit College Promise?
PathologyOutlines.com is underwriting the initial expenses of The Detroit College Promise. This means it is providing staff and office space, and paying all other office expenses, at least for the time being. This allows The Detroit College Promise to function without worrying about funding its startup costs. PathologyOutlines.com is also pledging $25,000 towards the scholarship fund.
End of Frequently Asked Questions