What is the Kalamazoo Promise?
The Kalamazoo Promise is a widely publicized scholarship program which began in November 2005. It 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 undergraduate 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. It has had a dramatic impact on Kalamazoo, causing an increase in public school enrollment after years of decline, and creating a minor economic boom.
