D11 board unanimously approves “D11 Promise,” allowing students to get Associate’s for free
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) - On Nov. 29, the District 11 (D11) school board unanimously approved the "D11 promise."
The program allows District 11 high school students in the class of 2024 to get a full-ride scholarship to Pikes Peak State College for an Associate's Degree or three years, whichever comes first.
It seems to be a step forward in education equitability for the district with historically low test scores and a poverty rate of 14%, according to 2021 numbers from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
The scholarship covers the remainder of the tuition, fees, and book costs after federal aid is applied. Students need only a 2.5 GPA and 90% attendance rate to qualify, with waivers available for requirements. There is also academic coaching and "community building" available for Promise students. Students don't need to pay any of the funds back, meaning that they'll virtually graduate debt-free.
"Wealthier students attend college at much higher rates than low-income students. But opportunities like this help to level the field and make college accessible for every student," Lance Bolton, PhD and president of the Pikes Peak State College said.
The program has been in the works for a few years, according to the district. It was approved by the Mill Levy Override Committee, the District Accountability Committee, and the current school board on Wednesday.
Harrison School District 2, The Colorado Scholarship Opportunity Initiative, the Legacy Institute, the Dakota Foundation, the Bruni Foundation, Pikes Peak State College as well as Mill Levy funds went into the 1.6 million dollar program.
However, this isn't the first program of its kind. Many other school districts in Colorado have executed a similar project with Pikes Peak State College. Harrison School District 2 funded the "Dakota Promise," leading to a 76% increase in enrollment for D2 students at Pikes Peak. The program expanded into D11 in specific high schools, but since the board's decision, the program now applies to the whole district.
For more information about how to apply to the program, click here.
