*Twenty years after launching, The Kalamazoo Promise eliminates the sliding scale that kept some scholars from full tuition coverage, guaranteeing 100 percent of community college tuition and mandatory fees for eligible students.*

KALAMAZOO, Mich. — In a Wednesday morning announcement at 11:30 a.m., The Kalamazoo Promise made a significant change to its scholarship program. Eligible students attending community college will now receive 100 percent of their tuition instead of the previously instituted sliding scale that ranged from 65 percent to 100 percent.

The program, established in 2005, has awarded over 9,000 students education benefits and given more than $250 million in scholarships since its inception. The change comes as The Kalamazoo Promise celebrates 20 years of service to students.

Bob Jorth, Chief Operating Officer of The Kalamazoo Promise, explained the reasoning behind the change.

"We are always looking for ways to remove barriers and open more doors for our scholars," Jorth said. "This change reflects what we have learned over the past 20 years and strengthens our commitment to meeting students where they are. Community colleges play a critical role in our ecosystem, and this ensures more of our scholars can fully access the opportunities available to them."

According to Jorth, if this model had been in place in 2025, 425 additional students would have received increased Promise scholarship support.

WHAT THE CHANGE MEANS

Beginning Wednesday, Kalamazoo Promise community college students, whether incoming or already enrolled, are now eligible for 100 percent of their tuition covered. The sliding scale eligibility is still based on how long a student attended a Kalamazoo Public Schools institution, but that is not changing.

KPS Superintendent Dr. Darrin Slade commented on the expansion.

"...what really separates Kalamazoo Public Schools from any other district in the country is the fact that we have access, and I call it a golden ticket....that opens the door to the world," Slade said. "I just want to thank everybody involved with it. We're going to do our part and make sure that our students are prepared to accept this resource and do well and finish college."

The program covers tuition and mandatory fees on a sliding scale at over 60 eligible Michigan institutions, from colleges and universities to trade schools and vocational programs. Since 2005, the program has offered Kalamazoo Public Schools students up to 100 percent of tuition and mandatory fees paid for at any in-state public community college or university.