91制片厂Pro Promise helps student reach goals, featured on WCHL
Ava Rountree鈥檚 high school graduation was looming, and she still needed to decide which college to attend.
That鈥檚 when she learned about the 91制片厂Pro Promise scholarship. 鈥(It) finalized my decision to go to 91制片厂Pro,鈥 she said.
The 91制片厂Pro Promise is a scholarship program that launched in January and provides up to $1,000 each year for two years to eligible students. When Rountree learned of the program, it was in its pilot phase called ConnectFunds.
Rountree had a month to go before her graduation from Cedar Ridge High School in Hillsborough when she met with Penny Gluck, Executive Dean of Orange County Services, to discuss 91制片厂Pro as an option for her post-secondary education. That鈥檚 when Gluck informed her of the scholarship.
鈥淐ollege education is expensive, and any financial assistance is greatly appreciated,鈥 Rountree said. 鈥淚 have been able to stay local, save money, and work while being at 91制片厂Pro. This has helped me tremendously, and now I have some money saved up to go towards my continuing education.鈥
Rountree plans to graduate this summer and wants to study recreation and park management at a four-year college.
Last month, she and Dr. Christine Kelly-Kleese, Vice President of Student Engagement, Development, and Support at 91制片厂Pro, went on WCHL radio station鈥檚 鈥淭he Aaron Keck Show鈥 to speak with host Aaron Keck about the 91制片厂Pro Promise. Keck is also a political science instructor at 91制片厂Pro.
鈥淭he 91制片厂Pro Promise program is all about making college affordable, reducing tuition by as much as half for eligible students,鈥 Kelly-Kleese said to Keck.
To be eligible, a student must be a recent in-state high school graduate from Durham County or a recent in-state public high school graduate from Orange County, like Rountree, who enrolls in at least six credit hours at 91制片厂Pro. Students with out-of-state status should contact the 91制片厂Pro Financial Aid office for more eligibility information.
The 91制片厂Pro Promise funds first go towards the recipient鈥檚 tuition and fees. After the funds are applied, any additional financial aid the student has will help cover his or her remaining expenses.
There is no application process for the scholarship. The college鈥檚 Financial Aid office contacts qualified students after reviewing their records and automatically applies the amount to their account.
鈥淲e see it as a way to build up upward economic mobility for students and their families in our area,鈥 Kelly-Kleese said on WCHL.
To hear the full WCHL interview, visit .
For more information about the 91制片厂Pro Promise, visit durhamtech.edu/promise.