GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Promise Zone Authority, Ferris State University and Grand Valley State University announced a new partnership that will provide funding for Promise Zone students who graduate with an associate degree from Grand Rapids Community College to complete a bachelor’s degree from either university.
Beginning in January 2026, Promise Zone students become eligible for up to $7,000 per academic year at either Ferris State or Grand Valley after earning an associate degree from Grand Rapids Community College. This funding can be applied toward the cost of tuition, fees, and on-campus housing as they pursue a bachelor’s degree.
In addition, each four-year institution will provide up to an additional $7,000 per academic year if there is a gap in tuition and fees.
“We firmly believe that students at Grand Rapids Community College are positioned to not just be in school, but to flourish, succeed and graduate into the world of work or a four-year university,” said Tom DeJonge, chair, Grand Rapids Promise Zone Authority. “We could not be more thrilled about this partnership with Ferris and Grand Valley as it opens the doors to more opportunities while reducing the financial stress that often comes with seeking degrees in higher education. This creates a clear path for students to shape their future at these highly respected institutions of higher learning.”
Before any Promise Zone funds are applied at the four-year partner institution, students must first use all available state and federal need-based grants by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), excluding student loans and work-study funding, as well as any merit-based aid from the four-year partner. Any Promise Zone funding applied to the remaining cost of tuition, fees, or on-campus housing expenses will be paid directly to the four-year partner institution and will not be refundable to the student.
"Ferris State University has been a longtime partner with Grand Rapids Community College, so this partnership with GRCC and the Grand Rapids Promise Zone is a natural next step in a long relationship,” Ferris State President Bill Pink said. “We believe in the transformative power of education to open doors, elevate communities, and change lives. The Grand Rapids Promise Scholarship creates an incredible opportunity for students who have earned their associate degree at GRCC to take the next step toward a bachelor’s degree. We know that a Ferris State degree provides a great opportunity for our graduates to experience a living wage career path, as acknowledged by the Carnegie Foundation’s ‘Opportunity University’ designation, and we look forward to our Promise Zone graduates participating in that experience."
This partnership underscores the shared commitment among Ferris State and GVSU to support student success after community college. By aligning with the Grand Rapids Promise Zone, both Ferris State and GVSU are helping create a more accessible and affordable pathway to a four-year degree, ensuring students have continued support as they pursue their educational and career goals.
"Today's agreement is part of GVSU's commitment to breaking down barriers to allow students to pursue their dreams," said Philomena V. Mantella, president of Grand Valley State University. "By investing in Promise Zone students, we impact not only the learners but also our community as a whole."
Students are eligible for funding toward a bachelor’s degree at the four-year partner institution, as long as they use their scholarship within five years of high school graduation, upon earning an associate degree from GRCC. To access their funding, scholarship recipients must complete an intent to enroll form each semester and may be required to provide additional documents.
Additionally, students must maintain satisfactory academic progress and academic good standing, as defined by the partner institution, to remain eligible.
“The Grand Rapids Promise Zone has already opened doors for nearly 2,000 students to earn an associate degree at GRCC,” said Dr. Steven Triezenberg, interim president of Grand Rapids Community College. “With this new partnership, those doors open even wider – making a bachelor’s degree more affordable and achievable. For our students, it means more opportunities and greater confidence to reach their goals. And their success in achieving those goals is a win for our community as a whole.”
Representing the first city-wide partnership between public, public charter, and private schools in Grand Rapids’ history, the Grand Rapids Promise Zone Authority removes financial barriers to higher education for all Grand Rapids students by covering tuition, fees, textbooks, and more. The scholarship includes a $500 credit per fall and winter semester at GRCC for on-campus expenses such as food, parking/transportation, printing, and more. It also provides additional staff to support student success on-campus and connect students with both on and off-campus resources.
To qualify for the Promise Zone scholarship, students must live in the city of Grand Rapids and graduate from one of the 25 eligible high schools in the city with continuous residency and high school attendance since the start of 11th grade. Whether students plan to transfer to a four-year university or join the workforce, the support and funding from the Grand Rapids Promise Zone can help them achieve a GRCC degree, certificate or job training certificate program.
Since it launched in 2020, nearly 2,000 GRCC students have received support by the Grand Rapids Promise Zone Scholarship. The first class of eligible students in fall 2020 had 245 enrolled with support by the Grand Rapids Promise Zone. This fall, nearly 800 Promise Zone students are enrolled in classes.
The process to create the Grand Rapids Promise Zone Authority began in 2018, when the Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS) Board of Education adopted a resolution declaring its intention to establish a Promise Zone throughout the geographic boundary of GRPS pursuant to Michigan Promise Zone Authority Act (Act 549 of 2008). Late that year, the Michigan Department of Treasury confirmed Grand Rapids’ designation as a Michigan Promise Zone.
In taking the next step toward establishing a Promise Zone Authority, the GRPS Board of Education appointed nine members to the Grand Rapids Promise Zone Authority Board. Two additional members were appointed by the Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives and the Majority Leader of the Michigan Senate. In the fall of 2019, the Grand Rapids Promise Zone Authority Board held its first meeting, during which board members took the constitutional oath of office, elected a chairperson, and established the expiration dates for each member’s term.
Promise scholarships like the one in Grand Rapids are currently offered in 13 Promise Zone communities across the state.
