April 25, 2025
Five years ago, the Grand Rapids (GR) Promise Zone was launched with a bold mission: remove the financial barriers to college and create real opportunities for Grand Rapids students to pursue higher education. Since then, that promise has turned into a life-changing reality for over one thousand students and families.
Thanks to the GR Promise Zone Scholarship, students who live within the Grand Rapids city limits and attend one of 25 eligible high schools can attend Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) tuition-free. Whether they’re studying to transfer to a four-year university, earn a professional certificate or gain hands-on skills through workforce training, the Promise Zone is helping students launch their next chapter — with less stress and more confidence.
More than just tuition
What makes the GR Promise Zone stand out isn’t just the scholarship, it’s the support.
In the beginning, the team consisted of just one person. Today, it’s grown into one of the largest Promise Zone teams in Michigan, with a staff that includes seven dedicated high school coordinators who work directly with the high schools to guide students through every step of the college journey. From applications and financial aid to course registration and campus life, students are never navigating it alone.
“We’re meeting students where they are,” said Ashlee Mishler, Director of the Promise Zone. “We start building relationships during their sophomore, junior and senior years of high school so that by the time they’re ready to enroll at GRCC, they’ve got someone in their corner.”
Mishler emphasized that while cost is a major barrier for many students, it’s not the only one. “The process itself — understanding how to apply, where to go, what to do next — can be overwhelming. That’s where our team comes in. We help students believe they can go to college, and we walk with them every step of the way."
Big growth, bigger impact
In its first year, a little over 300 students used the Promise Zone scholarship to attend GRCC. Now, as the program marks its fifth anniversary, more than 700 students enrolled for Fall 2025 as a direct result of the program.
“The growth we’ve seen is a reflection of the team’s dedication and the deep connections we’ve built with the community,” Mishler said. “It’s not just about removing the financial burden. It’s about making the entire college process feel possible and personal.”
Many people still don’t realize just how accessible college can be through this program. Mishler’s message is clear: “If you live in the city of Grand Rapids, attend and graduate from one of our partner high schools, you can go to college tuition-free. It really is that simple.”
A strong connection to GRCC
Another thing that makes the GR Promise Zone unique is its close relationship with GRCC. That seamless connection allows for smoother transitions, targeted student support and shared strategies between the college and the Promise Zone team.
The team is also backed by a dedicated board made up of diverse leaders across the Grand Rapids community. Their insight, data-driven focus and lived experiences fuel decisions that help the Promise Zone evolve and grow. This year, based on feedback and need, the team is opening a new tutoring center inside one of the high schools they serve.
“We use real-time data and real conversations to determine where to go next,” Mishler explained. “We’re constantly asking: What can we do to support our students beyond covering tuition? That mindset is helping us build something that truly lasts.”
Celebrating the past, building toward the future
Over the past five years, the GR Promise Zone has opened the doors of higher education for thousands of students who may never have considered the possibility. And for many of those students, the impact has been transformational, not just academically, but personally. The team hears countless stories from students who say they wouldn’t be in college if not for the Promise Zone. “Watching this program grow and seeing the lives it’s impacted, it’s just incredible,” said Mishler. “We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished together. But we’re even more excited about what the next five to ten years will bring.”
For more info on the GR Promise Zone, visit their website at GRPromiseZone.com
This story was reported by Anjula Caldwell