First Students Graduate from Local Institutions Compliments of Flint Promise

Three students from the first cohort of Flint Promise Scholarship Program have recently graduated from the University of Michigan-Flint and Mott Community College. They completed their schooling and received diplomas in May.

The Flint Promise Scholarship program is a last dollar scholarship that allows students who graduate from high school and live in the city of Flint to attend a local university or college without a large financial burden. The program also provides wrap-around services such as success coaches who are available to help students with resources they may need to be successful. The program’s higher education partners include Kettering University, Mott Community College and University of Michigan-Flint.

“The Flint Promise Scholarship program is amazing,” says Briana Scott, who graduated from the University of Michigan-Flint in May with a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology. “I thought I would have to pay for college with loans or by working my way through school, but the scholarship eliminated all financial barriers.”

Scott adds that since completing her undergraduate degree, she is focused on studying for the Medical College Admission Test and is looking forward to entering medical school.

“We are so proud of our Promise Scholars and all they are accomplishing,” said Sonja Feist-Price, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at the University of Michigan-Flint. “The Flint Promise Scholarship Program is making a crucial difference, helping these academically-motivated students to reach their fullest potential and to achieve their goals. This strategic partnership is delivering outstanding results and changing lives.”

Jashimbra People who graduated from Mott Community College with an Associates in Applied Science in culinary arts, says that resources such as her success coach made her college journey a great experience.

“Everyone has struggles at one point in time, but with Flint Promise our success coaches were there to help,” says People. “I would take issues that I had to Mr. Washington, and he would see to it that those issues were resolved. For example, when I had trouble with my class schedule, he put me directly in contact with someone who could fix it.”

People also explains after graduation, her success coach bridged connections to individuals in the community that worked in the culinary field to help her find employment.

“All too often we hear stories about financial insecurity interrupting a student’s education,” said Mott Community College President, Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea. “The Flint Promise fills in the gaps that needs-based financial aid does not cover, enabling students to attend college full time, without worrying about how to pay for their tuition and fees.

“Completing a college credential ensures that our students can build a better life for themselves and their families,” Walker-Griffea adds.

“Now that I have graduated, I plan to continue working while applying for a master’s degree program in data analytics,” says Nija Brown, who graduated from the University of Michigan-Flint with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. “In five to 10 years, I hope to be working a good job and being a productive community member.”

Currently, over 260 students in the city of Flint are benefitting from the scholarship program.

“These graduates are early confirmation that the Flint Promise program works,” says James Avery, program director of Flint & Genesee Education & Talent. “We are now positioned to track the employability or continuation of schooling with our scholars.”

Applications are currently open for the fall 2021 semester. Students entering participating colleges and universities are encouraged to apply if they meet the scholarship’s eligibility requirements, including:

• Graduating from a high school located within the City of Flint, or receiving a GED in the City of Flint, in or after 2018
• Residing within the City of Flint at the time of graduation
• Graduating with a 1.8 GPA or higher
• Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA)
• Applying to a participating college or university
• Being age 24 or younger*

*Scholars are expected to complete their schooling at or before age 24.

Flint Promise is housed at the Community Foundation of Greater Flint and administered by Flint & Genesee Education & Talent, a division of the Flint & Genesee Group. It is one of the programs the division offers that helps build a solid foundation of personal, academic and career-oriented skills to prepare the current and future workforce in Flint & Genesee.

For more information or to apply, visit theflintpromise.org