From news release
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Rockford Promise will fund eight full four-year tuition scholarships to Rockford University starting in fall.
It’s the largest cohort of Rockford Promise scholars to attend Rockford University since the organizations began collaborating in 2016.
“We look forward to welcoming our newest cohort of Rockford Promise students to Rockford University this fall,” Eric Fulcomer, president of Rockford University, said in a news release. “The relationship Rockford University has developed with Rockford Promise is important and demonstrates our commitment to our community. We take pride in seeing our Rockford Promise scholars thrive at Rockford University.”
Related: ‘Your city cares about you’: Rockford Promise has record number of free tuition scholars
Three of the incoming students are from Auburn High School, two each are from Guilford and Jefferson high schools and one is from East High School. They have an average grade-point average of 3.55 and an average SAT score of 1,118, according to Rockford Promise.
Since the beginning of 2016-2017 school year, 28 Rockford Public Schools graduates have enrolled at Rockford University or transferred from Rock Valley College through the Rockford Promise program. Three of those students have graduated, four more are graduating later this month and 19 are on track to graduate in coming years, according to Rockford Promise.
The 28 students have a combined GPA of 3.41 at the university.
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Rockford Promise provides full-tuition scholarships to any student who earned a 3.0 grade point average while attending all four years of high school at Rockford Public Schools. Those scholarships can apply toward Rockford University, Northern Illinois University or Rock Valley College.
Earlier this year, Rockford Promise announced 175 students accepted full-tuition scholarships to NIU. That was also a record number.
Mentors needed
With the growing number of scholars, Rockford Promise said it needs volunteer mentors to support the students.
“Mentors are key multipliers for Rockford Promise,” said Kaylene Groh, interim executive director for Rockford Promise. “Mentors extend the academic support, listening ear and career guidance every student needs to succeed beyond their own efforts, and propels them into a stronger future.”
For more information about Rockford Promise, visit rockfordpromise.org. To sign up to become a mentor and support the 2022-2023 cohort of scholars, go to rockfordpromise.org/become-a-mentor.