During her annual state of the schools address, the superintendent of schools in Hartford revealed some details about a college scholarship for Hartford Public Schools students who maintain a B average during high school.
On Tuesday, Supt. Christina Kishimoto said the fundraising effort has brought in $4.1 million for Hartford Promise, a program that will provide financial aid for local public high school students who are college-bound.
This is a little more than a third of the $12 million the school department seeks to raise to fund the program through the Class of 2023, according to the Hartford Promise Web site.
Awards up to $5,000 per year, up to $20,000 total, will be awarded to students attending four-year schools.
The first class eligible is the class of 2016 and awards can be renewed for an additional year to support a master’s degree or education in teaching.
“It was important because one of the barriers is an economic barrier to college," Kishimoto said.
The college scholarship is $5,000 a year for students who are maintaining a B average in high school, have a good attendance record, and are residents of Hartford, according to Kishimoto. Students who go to two-year colleges will have a $2,500 scholarship per year.
Some local backers include the Travelers companies, the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving and the former CEO of the Hartford.
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