Michigan high school graduates surprised with 100% free tuition

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. (WWMT) — It was a surprising day for graduating seniors in one Michigan public school district.

Battle Creek Public Schools, or BCPS, announced a historic scholarship named Bearcat Advantage that offers up to 100% tuition and fees for post-secondary education for eligible graduates. The scholarship program is expected to begin with the class of 2023, officials said.

The Bearcat Advantage scholarship, according to district officials, 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

“At BCPS, we believe in every student’s potential for success and are committed to tearing down obstacles that stand in their way, ” said Kimberly Carter, superintendent of BCPS. “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 district received a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation in 2017, which prompted Battle Creek schools to roll out new programs and support for students, according to a news release. The scholarship presents the next phase of the BCPS district transformation, removing barriers to higher education for students who otherwise may not have the resources to pursue it, district officials said.

The news was shared at the annual Decision Day event for students from Battle Creek Central High School and W.K. Preparatory High School.

The announcement came when students announced to their families, teachers and the Battle Creek community what path they want to embark on after graduation.