“PEORIA PROMISE IS…
• Economic development in your community:”from their website

“She will significantly increase awareness about Peoria Promise in the community and increase the much needed community investment and support we need to grow and be successful” from Mayor What’s-he-do?

What is Ardis talking about? Community investment… from where? By whom? Support? What kind of support other than investment? And who is the “We” that needs to grow?

Anyone want to invest in Peoria Promise?

Left by kcdad on October 12th, 2008

Kcdad - I don’t always see things as you do but I am with you on this one.  NO! I am not interested in investing in Peoria Promise.

Left by Frustrated on October 12th, 2008

why not?

Left by peoriafan on October 12th, 2008

… zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…

Left by prego man on October 12th, 2008

…That depends on who is controlling [my] investment.  The same group responsible for putting Peoria in the red?  The same [museum] group looking to highjack a few million from local taxpayers?  I don’t think so.

Left by New Voice on October 13th, 2008

I’m all for giving local student a leg up. So why didn’t the city give a high sign to local students and let them design the new city logo with a scholarship? The students couldn’t have made any worse or unimaginative designs than did the company hired.

Left by Del on October 13th, 2008

This is the Peoria Promise of sending District 150 kids to schools they are not qualified to attend…. ICC is overflowing with students that can neither read nor write a coherent statement, they can not express their thoughts in words that are coherent in a speech or simple declaratory statement. They do not have study skills or the intellectual curiosity to carry out a 2 year academic program. If they do not drop out, they will spend up to two years just taking the foundational courses that are prerequisites to take the core courses required.

Left by kcdad on October 13th, 2008

I still don’t get it… why someone with a marketing degree?

Left by kcdad on October 13th, 2008

Are you sure that all District 150 kids can be lumped into your very inclusive statement?  I think that a significant number of academically proficient students from all over the city do go to ICC for two years before going to 4-year colleges.  Besides there are some stipulations, aren’t there.  However, I guess students just have to have gone to 150 schools for all 12 years–the plan would be better if attendance records and/or grades were, in some way, added to the qualifications for participation.

Left by Sharon Crews on October 13th, 2008

The funding of this program is all private donations.

Left by peoriafan on October 13th, 2008

PEORIA PROMISE IS…
• Economic development in your community: Our economy is directly influenced by the level of education and skills of the work force. Similar programs in communities like ours have seen: - Better-educated local workforce and corresponding income level increases - Reduced dropout rate and increased high school graduation rate - Increased college attendance and completion rate with narrowing of attendance gap by income and race. - 10% enrollment gain following decades of declining enrollment - 70% of funded students stay in the community - Housing market improvement: Homes sold rose almost 7%, compared to about 5% regional decline. Community median home price rose almost 4%. - Increased tax revenues through population growth.
• A foundation for the future: A scholarship program for tuition and mandatory fees paid during attendance at Illinois Central College (ICC).
• The community giving back to the community: Funded entirely by individual citizens and businesses of Peoria.
• For everyone: Any student who lives in Peoria and graduates from a public high school is eligible; no minimum high school grade point average (GPA) is required to apply.
• Just beginning: Watch for more information in school newsletters, local media, and the Peoria Promise web site.
Peoria Promise
Peoria Promise is a 2-year scholarship to ICC for every Peoria city public school graduate. But Peoria Promise is much more than scholarship program, it is a catalyst to making Peoria an even greater community.
Who is eligible?
Residents of the City of Peoria who graduate from a public high school (Richwoods, Woodruff, Manual, Central, Dunlap, Limestone, Peoria Heights, Peoria Alternative or other specialized public schools) are eligible beginning with the class of 2008. Non- City of Peoria residents (i.e., West Peoria) who live within District 150 boundaries and attend and graduate from a District 150 high school also qualify for Peoria Promise. Peoria Promise will begin in Fall 2008.

What kind of grades are required to take advantage of Peoria Promise?
There is no minimum high school GPA to qualify for the opportunity Peoria Promise offers. However, you must maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA while at ICC.

What does Peoria Promise pay for?
Peoria Promise pays tuition and mandatory fees. Students may qualify to receive federal financial aid for college-related expenses and must apply for assistance at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov Additional financial assistance is available through ICC. More information regarding financial assistance options is available at the ICC financial aid office located on the East Peoria campus or at http://www.icc.edu/scholarships. Maximum funding will be approved for up to two years or at the completion of a degree or certificate, whichever comes first.

How are funds disbursed?
Funds are paid directly to the educational institution.

Do all students receive the same benefit?
The scholarship benefit will be pro-rated based on length of attendance using the following scale:

Total length of attendance is the total years of enrollment in an eligible school along with city residency that can be verified through school records.

How do students apply?
Students become eligible for Peoria Promise by:
1) Completing ICC’s online application process at http://www.icc.edu; and
2) Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. This must be done by June 1st to receive funding beginning in the fall semester (classes begin in mid August) or by September 15 to receive funding beginning in the spring semester (classes begin in mid January).

YOUR SUPPORT IS NEEDED!

Volunteer
Peoria Promise is a volunteer organization. Your participation in this community initiative will ensure that funds and mentors are available to our community’s youth. There are many different opportunities ranging from marketing to fundraising to clerical support. Please contact Peoria Promise for more information or to volunteer.
Donate
Peoria Promise is funded by the community for the community. Your dollars will make a difference.

Left by peoriafan on October 13th, 2008

“Your” dollars always  make the difference

Left by kcdad on October 14th, 2008

[...] Tara Gerstner ‘01 has been named executive director of the Peoria Promise Foundation, which provides scholarships to Peoria students. [...]

Left by IWU Clips » Blog Archive » The Peoria Chronicle on October 16th, 2008