South Seattle College encourages Seattle City Council to expand 13th Year Promise Scholarship
South Seattle College encourages Seattle City Council to expand 13th Year Promise Scholarship
13th Year at City Hall_Blanca: 13th Year Scholar Blanca Olivera talks to the council about her experience and the opportunities the scholarship has opened for her. She's backed by a crew of fellow South students, staff and faculty holding “Support Our Youth! Support 13th Year Expansion” signs.
SSC
Wed, 10/26/2016
information from South Seattle College
It was democracy in action at a Seattle City Council public hearing at city hall on Oct. 25 as South Seattle College students, faculty and leadership spoke to the council about the impact of our college's 13th Year Promise Scholarship, and encouraged passage of a proposal to expand the program to three more high schools.
Seattle City Councilmember Bruce Harrell has submitted a budget proposal that would expand the 13th Year Promise Scholarship to Cadditional high schools over 2017 and 2018 with city support.
Currently offered to all Rainier Beach, Chief Sealth and Cleveland high school graduating seniors, the 13th Year Promise Scholarship provides one year of tuition-free college at South along with support services. It has increased access to higher education for area youth, particularly those from underrepresented groups including first-generation college students, low-income students and students of color. The program began in 2008, and to this point has been funded by donations to the college’s foundation.
Speaking on behalf of the proposal to city council was South Seattle College President Gary Oertli, South Foundation Chair (and West Seattle resident) Catherine Arnold, Mathematics Instructor Heidi Lyman and students Ken Bert and Blanca Olivera, who are both attending college through the 13th Year Promise Scholarship.
