• Phone: (989) 755-0545
  • 1 Tuscola St., Suite 200 Saginaw, Michigan 48607

Criteria / Eligibility

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for a Saginaw Promise Scholarship, students must meet the following criteria:

(Note: References to page numbers, tie back to the Saginaw Promise Development Plan, which can be accessed on the Saginaw Promise “About Us” website page.)

Live within the geographic boundaries of the Saginaw Promise Zone (the Promise Zone consists of the cities of Saginaw, Zilwaukee, Kochville, and that area of Buena Vista that is designated to the Saginaw Public School District).

Meet the Eligibility Criteria (listed below, pages 3 & 4)

Graduate from an Eligible secondary institution (listed below, page 3)

 

At time of adoption, eligible secondary institutions include, but may not be limited to:

Michigan Lutheran Seminary, Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy, Saginaw Covenant Academy, Saginaw United High School

  • Students, their parents and/or their legal guardians, must reside within the boundaries of the School District of the City of Saginaw, which includes the City of Saginaw, the City of Zilwaukee, Kochville Township, and the geographic boundaries of Buena Vista Township that are designated to the Saginaw Public Schools District.
  • Be admitted to and enrolled at an accredited institution, public or private, postsecondary institution within the State of Michigan; limited to institutions eligible to receive Title IV funding. This would include community colleges, four-year colleges and universities and accredited trade and vocational schools.
  • The Saginaw Promise Scholarship is available for two years (or longer as determined by the Promise board) and must be applied for annually, which also includes annual FAFSA completion.
  • Graduate and receive a high school diploma or General Educational Development (“GED”) from an eligible secondary institution within the Saginaw Promise Zone.
  • The amount of a Saginaw Promise Scholarship award will be pro-rated based on the length of attendance in schools within the Promise Zone, using the following sliding scale:
    Grade Level Coverage
    K-12 100%
    1-12 100%
    2-12 100%
    3-12 100%
    4-12 100%
    5-12 100%
    6-12 100%
    7-12 100%
    8-12 100%
    9-12 100%
    10-12 100%
    11-12 50%
    12 Only 50%
    GED 50%
  • Attend schools within the Saginaw Promise Zone with the final year being 12th
  • Must be enrolled in a program leading to a degree or certificate.
  • Maximum scholarship awards are based on full-time postsecondary attendance as defined by the community colleges, four-year colleges and universities and accredited trade and vocational schools attended. Students who enroll less than full-time during the eligible years will receive pro-rated scholarship awards.
  • If a scholar is unable to use the Saginaw Promise scholarship following high school graduation, scholars will have a maximum of six years from high school graduation or completion of GED to use the Saginaw Promise Scholarship. Length of time allowed to use Scholarship: A scholar will have up to six years from high school graduation to complete utilization of the Saginaw Promise Scholarship.

What is the Saginaw Promise Zone?

THE SAGINAW PROMISE ZONE IS COMPRISED OF THE CITIES OF SAGINAW, ZILWAUKEE, KOCHVILLE TOWNSHIP AND THE GEOGRAPHIC OF BUENA VISTA DESIGNATED TO THE SAGINAW PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT