Stockton mayor unveils $20M program to help students pursue college

STOCKTON — Mayor Michael Tubbs has announced a potentially transformative new initiative, backed by a $20 million donation, that aims eventually to provide financial assistance to all Stockton students who want to continue their education after high school.

Tubbs made his announcement Tuesday morning before more than 500 students at the Bob Hope Theatre. He said the initiative, dubbed “Stockton Scholars,” has the potential to “reshape the trajectory of our city for decades to come.”

Leaders in education, business and government joined Tubbs onstage as he announced a program that will provide funds to Stockton Unified students to help them pay tuition and fees at a fouryear university, a community college or a trade school.

At the same time, Tubbs challenged the community to raise the money to make “Stockton Scholars” a $100 million program to help cover the cost of college for students citywide.

“Today, we announced what might be the most exciting initiative that the city has ever done,” said Tubbs. “We’re on cloud nine.”

The initial donation to the program was made by the Los Angeles-based California Community Foundation. Stockton Scholars is inspired by similar successful programs in Pittsburgh, Oakland and Kalamazoo, Michigan.

How does Stockton Scholars work?

Beginning with the graduating class of 2019, it applies to every qualified student in SUSD who graduates with a 2.0 grade-point average and decides to attend trade school, community college or a fouryear university.

SUSD students who go straight to a four-year college will receive $4,000 in aid ($1,000 per year). Students who go straight to a community college or a regionally accredited trade school will receive $1,000 in aid ($500 per year).

Officials said the scholarship program will effectively make California State University tuition free for the vast majority of SUSD students.

Tubbs also said the $20 million contribution will last SUSD students for a decade.

What are the requirements?

Applications will open in fall 2018 and funds will be given out the following spring. The first class of students who can apply will be those graduating with the Class of 2019. The program does not apply to seniors from the Class of 2018.

Additionally, students will be required to have lived in Stockton for at least the past four years; to have completed a federal student aid application; and to have applied to at least two other scholarship or grant programs.

I’m a Lodi Unified student but I go to school in Stockton, do I count?

Right now, only SUSD students can apply. However, there are plans to expand Stockton Scholars in the future to include students who live in Stockton and attend high schools in the Lincoln, Lodi and Manteca districts when more funding is available.

A game changer for city

Georgetown’s Center of Education and Workforce predicts that 65 percent of all jobs in the U.S. will require post-secondary education and training beyond high school by 2020. Only 17.5 percent of Stockton residents older than 25 have a bachelor’s degree, far below the national average of 31 percent.

It is clear, said Tubbs, that Stockton will have to drastically increase the number of people with a college education to avoid being left behind.

Stockton Unified trustee Lange Luntao said the program is a possible solution for young people who seek higher education but feel like it is out of reach.

“Whether it’s because of difficult finances, unclear pathways to college or lack of family support, many young people feel like there is no hope for them as they pursue their dreams,” Luntao said.

“Our goal with the Stockton Scholars program is to triple the number of students completing apprentice programs, career programs, or learning skills that will be useful for the rest of your lives.”

Regarding the $100 million goal, Tubbs referenced the Stockton courthouse — the tallest and newest building in the city that came with a $300 million price tag.

Said Tubbs: “Surely, we can raise just one-third that amount to drive our youth toward a better future.”