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:
“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.