'Bearcat Advantage' scholarship to cover up to 100% of college tuition for BCPS graduates
BATTLE CREEK — A new scholarship will cover up to 100% of college tuition and fees for all eligible graduates of Battle Creek Public Schools, beginning with the graduating class of 2023.
The Bearcat Advantage scholarship, which seeks to eliminate opportunity gaps for graduating students and improve access to higher education, was unveiled by district officials Wednesday. In partnership with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the investment builds off the progress of the school district’s transformation work that began more than six years ago and ensures that the next generation of BCPS students can "continue on the path to career, college and community success" after they graduate.
“At BCPS, we believe in every student’s potential for success and are committed to tearing down obstacles that stand in their way, ” Battle Creek Public Schools Superintendent Kimberly Carter said in a release. “We believe that equity is about opportunity, and this scholarship brings the possibility of higher education to students who otherwise may not have the resources to pursue it. Our vision for success focuses on eliminating opportunity gaps that have existed for many years as a result of systemic inequities, and developing world-class educational experiences for the students we serve.”
The Bearcat Advantage scholarship will:
Cover up to 100% of tuition and mandatory fees at any public or private four-year college or university in Michigan, or at any of the nearly 100 eligible Historically Black Colleges or Universities across the country for eligible graduates of BCPS.
Award scholarship amounts on a sliding scale based on the length of time a student has been continuously enrolled at BCPS.
For example, those who have been a student at BCPS for at least every year of high school will be eligible to receive a 65% scholarship. Those who have been a student at BCPS for all of K-12 will be eligible to receive a 100% scholarship.
Be available to use for a four-year undergraduate degree for up to six years after high school graduation.
There are no income restrictions.
The Bearcat Advantage scholarship was made possible by WKKF, which has served as a longtime partner to BCPS and has been committed to supporting children and families in Battle Creek since its founding. In 2017, WKKF provided the district with a historic five-year, $51 million investment in support of a district transformation with the goal of increasing racial equity by reducing barriers to success for children in the community.
The transformation has spurred new opportunities for students to thrive by rolling out new academic and extracurricular programs, and increased systems of support for BCPS families. As part of the transformation, Battle Creek Central High School was reenvisioned with a Career Academies model to provide all students with the opportunity to explore different career paths through hands-on, experiential curriculum, developing the skills necessary to excel in school, the workforce and beyond.
The Bearcat Advantage scholarship, district officials say, will play an integral role in ensuring the success of each student post graduation.
“The Bearcat Advantage is not just an investment in our students; it’s an investment in our hometown of Battle Creek,” WKKF President and CEO La June Montgomery Tabron said in a release. “With this opportunity, current and future generations of Bearcats will find their own unique path to success and shape our collective future.”
To learn more about the Bearcat Advantage, visit battlecreekpublicschools.org/BearcatAdvantage.
Contact reporter Greyson Steele at gsteele@battlecreekenquirer.com
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: BCPS, WKKF to eliminate opportunity gaps with 'Bearcat Advantage' scholarship
