Promise Zone FAQs

This scholarship covers up to 60 credit hours (30 credit hours for those 50% eligible), including the costs of tuition, books, required course materials, and any required fees associated with attending GRCC.

This scholarship can be used for any semester.

Examples of required materials include:

• tools and calculators
• medical supplies for health majors (e.g. scrubs, stethoscopes, etc.)
• culinary supplies (e.g. apron kits, baker caps)
• materials that are defined on the instructor’s syllabi
• textbooks and materials from the GRCC Bookstore

Laptops, tablets, or other similar electronic devices are not considered a requirement since the student can use the open computer labs on campus, the library, and/or check laptops out for a day at a time. 

The Grand Rapids Promise Zone scholarship is a “last dollar” scholarship. This means that your federal or state need-based aid is used first, and the scholarship will cover any remaining balance. Students are required to complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine eligibility for available state and federal need-based aid. Students who are not eligible to submit a FAFSA do not have to complete the form. 

Undocumented and DACA students are exempt from completing a FAFSA form.

• Grand Rapids Public School District
  • C.A. Frost Environmental Science Academy
  • Grand Rapids City High School
  • Grand Rapids Learning Center
  • Grand Rapids Montessori High School
  • Grand Rapids Public Museum School
  • Grand Rapids University Prep
  • Innovation Central High School
  • Ottawa Hills High School
  • Southeast Career Pathways
  • Southwest Community Campus High School 
  • Union High School
• Grace Christian Academy
• Grand Rapids Adventist Academy
• Grand Rapids Catholic Central High School
• Grand Rapids Christian High School
• Grand Rapids Covenant House Academy
• Hope Academy of West Michigan
• Lake Michigan Academy
• NorthPointe Christian High School
• NexTech High School
• Plymouth Christian High School
• Sacred Heart Academy High School
• Wellspring Preparatory High School
• West Catholic High School
• West Michigan Aviation Academy

You'll receive an award notification in the mail!

After you receive your award notification:

1. Fill out the FAFSA
   • In order to be eligible for the Grand Rapids Promise Zone Scholarship, you must apply for federal student aid by filling out a FAFSA form.
   • If you'd like help filling out the form, students can schedule an appointment with a GRCC financial aid specialist or walk in during Enrollment Center business hours to receive assistance.
   • Undocumented and DACA students are exempt from completing a FAFSA form.
2. Graduate
   • Students need to graduate from one of the 25 schools listed above.
3. Apply to GRCC!
   • This scholarship covers tuition, books, required course materials and any mandatory fees associated with attending GRCC.

No, but all Promise Zone Scholarship recipients will need to enroll in at least six credit hours per semester. Students can register for fewer than six in the summer semester and still be eligible.

Students have five years to take advantage of the scholarship funds. Any courses completed after that five-year timespan are not covered by the scholarship.

Students are not required to be continually enrolled in college each year.

No. We believe all students should be given the opportunity to continue their education. However, GRCC's attendance and Satisfactory Academic Progress policies are in effect after a student enrolls.

Promise Zones cover tuition costs after Pell and other need-based grants are applied. They're funded by private donations and property tax revenue, through a mechanism called "tax capture."