DEBT-FREE DEGREE
Promise @ San Jac scholarship paves the way to the future
College can be a taunting endeavor especially when it comes to the financial aspect, but San Jacinto College has solved the problem for its students.
For high school students residing in the San Jac taxing district, The Promise @ San Jac Scholarship allows students to achieve a degree debt free. For an associate degree or certificate, tuition, books, and supplies are covered 100% after financial aid.
The Promise @ San Jac Scholarship, which began in the fall 2020 semester, was first dubbed the Harris County Promise at San Jac, in partnership with Good Reason. When it started, the program was only offered to graduates from Dobie High School, Sam Rayburn High School, and South Houston High School.
According to Dr. Allatia Harris, vice chancellor, Strategic Initiatives, Workforce Development,
Community Relations and
Diversity at San Jacinto College, the institution received a $30 million scholarship from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott in June 2021.
$20 million of those funds were allocated to the Promise @ San Jac Scholarship.
“This year in fall 2022, we were able to expand the offer to all of the 2022 graduates in our taxing district. The Scholarship has been awarded to approximately more than 3,000 students and is expected to continue to help students in the College's taxing district for the foreseeable future,” said Harris.
Promise @ San Jac is a lastdollar scholarship, which means it covers all final costs of the student's credential after financial aid and any other scholarships and grants have been applied. This ensures that students receiving the Promise Scholarship don't have to pay for tuition, books, or class materials. To qualify, the student only must be a graduating high school senior, living in the San Jacinto College's taxing district.
“It's that simple. There are no GPA or financial qualifications. There are requirements to maintain the scholarship, but they are relatively easy for students to sustain. No special documentation is required,” Harris said. If considering applying, awareness of deadlines is a must. “Applicants must follow the scholarship deadlines with the first being Feb. 17 to take the pledge and complete their San Jac application. Afterward, there are a few additional deadlines that must be completed to ensure the scholarship will be awarded,” Harris said.
Applicable high schools will be visited by San Jac to notify students of the scholarship and the steps required to receive it. Additionally, students and parents in the taxing district will receive direct mail pieces with the pertinent information.
Once a student completes the enrollment steps and meets all the requirements, which includes enrolling for a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester, there are stipulations that are required.
“They are expected to maintain a 2.0 or higher GPA, but so long as they remain in full-time status and hold that minimum GPA, they will receive the scholarship through the completion of their degree or workforce certificate (up to three years allowed for completion),” Harris said.
For more information, visit online at sanjac.edu/promise
To qualify, the student only must be a graduating high school senior, living in the San Jacinto College’s taxing district.