Galesburg Partners With Community Foundation to Provide Sandburg Scholarships to District 205 Graduates
GALESBURG—Galesburg High School graduates who plan to attend Carl Sandburg College can have as much as 100 percent of their tuition waived thanks to a new program established by the City of Galesburg by working with Carl Sandburg College and the Galesburg Community Foundation.
Galesburg Promise will pay up to 16 credits of tuition per semester at Sandburg and up to a maximum total of 64 credits that will result in a degree or certificate from the College. The program offers an incentive for students in Galesburg Community Unit School District 205 to graduate from GHS and an opportunity for a post-secondary education to increase the pool of college graduates who can be gainfully employed in Galesburg and the surrounding area. The deadline to apply for Galesburg Promise for the 2014-2015 academic year is March 1.
“This is truly a win-win-win situation for Carl Sandburg College, District 205 and the City of Galesburg,” Carl Sandburg College President Dr. Lori Sundberg said. “It provides a great incentive for students to not only finish their high school education but to continue their education locally at Sandburg and, in turn, enter the workforce in this area. Education is a critical factor in maintaining regional vitality and spurring economic development. We believe Galesburg Promise will go a long way toward making that happen.”
Students’ financial benefit will be dependent on their length of attendance in District 205, based on the following scale:
13 grades (K-12)........ 100%
12 grades................... 95%
11 grades................... 90%
10 grades................... 85%
9 grades..................... 80%
8 grades..................... 75%
7 grades..................... 70%
6 grades..................... 65%
5 grades..................... 60%
4 grades..................... 55%
3 grades..................... 50%
Fewer than 3 grades..... 0%
Galesburg Promise is available to anyone who applies for the program within two years of graduation from Galesburg High School. Students also must apply for federal and state financial aid, and any financial aid and/or other scholarships will be applied before Galesburg Promise funds cover the remaining percentage of tuition.
“This collaboration between Carl Sandburg College, the City of Galesburg and the Galesburg Community Foundation has presented our students with a life-changing opportunity, and District 205 is extremely thankful,” District 205 Superintendent Bart Arthur said. “We are hopeful that many of our students will take advantage of this scholarship, obtain a degree from Sandburg and then move on to a four-year university. This scholarship program reflects our mission of helping students achieve their dreams.”
Galesburg Promise recipients may apply annually for a total of three years of funding toward a degree or certificate for a maximum of 64 hours, whichever comes first. Recipients must complete the Galesburg Promise application and Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year they are part of the program. Awards are given on a first-come, first-served basis upon the receipt of the Galesburg Promise application and FAFSA filing.
The program will be funded by the Galesburg Community Foundation as well as through a 2 percent increase in the city’s hotel tax. The Galesburg Business and Technology Center made a $400,000 donation to the Galesburg Community Foundation as seed money for the project.
“The need for a better-prepared workforce in our community is critical to existing businesses in finding the employees they need,” Galesburg Mayor John Pritchard said. “A more skilled workforce will help attract new businesses to the community. By 2018, 63 percent of jobs in the U.S. are expected to require post-secondary education. The Galesburg Promise is a good investment in our community’s young people to help us better compete in the future.”
For more information about Galesburg Promise or to apply, visit www.sandburg.edu/galesburgpromise or contact the Carl Sandburg College Welcome Center at 309.345.3500 or welcomecenter@sandburg.edu.