Fulton Students Ink Deal To Get $10,000 If They Graduate

On Wednesday, eight Fulton County middle school students signed commitments to graduate high school and accept a $10,000 college scholarship funded by the REACH Georgia program.

The event featured Gov. Nathan Deal, Fulton County Schools Superintendent Robert Avossa, Fulton school board members, principals, counselors, graduation coaches and other district leaders.

Launched in 2012, the REACH (Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen) Georgia program is a needs-based scholarship designed to promote academic success and expand access to higher education.

More than 100 students across Georgia in 23 school systems are signing contracts today for the 2014-2015 school year, including these eight Fulton students:

• Mirian Rivera, Elkins Pointe Middle School (Roswell)
• Claudia Munoz, Haynes Bridge Middle School (Alpharetta)
• Sabrina Villa, Holcomb Bridge Middle School (Roswell)
• Prayer Idowu, McNair Middle School (Atlanta)
• Janelle Tenorio, Ridgeview Charter School (Sandy Springs)
• Rayven Alsobrook, Sandtown Middle School (Atlanta)
• Daniel Narvaez, Sandy Springs Middle School (Sandy Springs)
• Sara Rahimpour, Taylor Road Middle School (Johns Creek)

“By accepting the challenge to become a REACH Scholar, these students are taking the first step toward an exciting and rewarding future – a college education,” said Superintendent Avossa. “This was a proud, emotional day for all of us. This scholarship means that our young students, many who will be the first in their family to attend college, will have the financial ability to pursue a higher education and follow their dreams.”

As a part of the program, the students signed contracts to maintain a certain grade point average, remain crime, drug and behavior issue free, and meet with a volunteer mentor until they graduate from high school. Their parents or guardians also signed contracts to support their student through their education. When these scholars graduate from high school, they will receive up to a $10,000 scholarship – $2,500 each year for up to four years – to be used at a HOPE eligible college. Many colleges are matching this scholarship and some are double matching the scholarship, providing scholars addition resources for their college education.

“This program is a strategic investment in our students and our state, opening doors for youth in Georgia who may not have the opportunity to seek postsecondary education due to financial constraints,” said Governor Deal. “The scholars who signed contracts today have demonstrated dedication to their educational achievement, and I encourage them to continue working hard so they can find success in college and become part of Georgia’s top-ranked workforce.”

REACH Georgia is a key component of the governor’s Complete College Georgia initiative, which calls for and identifies strategies for the state’s public and private colleges to add an additional 250,000 college graduates by 2020 and ensure these students graduate with relevant postsecondary degrees in a timely manner.

“The University System of Georgia, the Technical College System of Georgia and our colleagues in Georgia’s independent colleges are already working tirelessly to meet the college completion goals set by Gov. Deal,” said University System of Georgia Chancellor Hank Huckaby. “Together we are committed to educating and training both the workforce and citizenship needs of future generations.”

(Photo: Gov. Nathan Deal and Fulton Schools Superintendent Dr. Robert Avossa are joined by the eight Fulton students who signed commitments to receive $10,000 in scholarship funds if they graduate high school. Credit: Fulton County School System)