Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals and School Board Chairwoman Betty Burney joined educational and community leaders from throughout Northeast Florida to announce The Jacksonville Commitment, a scholarship program that makes a college education possible for DCPS students from low-income families.
Beginning in the fall of 2008, The Jacksonville Commitment will provide the financial support necessary for public high school students with limited family income to obtain a college education at one of four area colleges: The University of North Florida (UNF), Florida Community College at Jacksonville (FCCJ), Edward Waters College (EWC) or Jacksonville University (JU).
"The Jacksonville Commitment has the potential to dramatically change our community," said UNF President and former Mayor John A. Delaney. "No longer will young people from low-income families have to choose between going to college and supporting themselves."
UNF, JU and EWC are guaranteeing the entire cost of a four-year degree, including tuition, books, and room and board, while FCCJ is guaranteeing the cost of a two-year degree with the student then transferring to one of the other three colleges to complete a bachelor’s degree.
School Board Chairwoman Burney, citing Dr. Benjamin Elijah Mays, former president of Morehouse College and mentor to civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., stressed the importance of giving students the opportunity to reach their dreams by making higher education attainable.
"It isn't a calamity to die with dreams unfulfilled, but it is a calamity not to dream," Burney quoted. "We are committed to providing students with a high quality public education and giving them the opportunity to fulfill their dreams of achieving a better life."
Approximately 9,000 students currently in grades nine through 12 in Duval County public high schools could financially qualify for the program. Those students are ones who currently qualify for the federal free and reduced lunch program at area schools.
Students determined to be financially eligible for The Jacksonville Commitment still must meet the admission's standards of the institution they wish to attend. These students, who will be known as Commitment Scholars, will have to earn their degrees.
Former Sheriff Nat Glover, now serving as the city's ambassador to higher education, sees this program as an anti-crime measure.
"Something must be done to encourage our students to stay in school and out of trouble," Glover said. "The Jacksonville Commitment will fight crime and poverty by giving students the opportunity to earn a college degree."
The city of Jacksonville is providing the initial funding for the scholarship program and Mayor John Peyton was in attendance to pledge $1 million for the next fiscal year.
"This is the best possible investment for a strong Jacksonville," said Peyton. "An educated workforce ensures a robust economy."
The four local colleges are raising private support to compliment the city's funding as the program grows.
Also in attendance for the introduction of The Jacksonville Commitment were Steve Wallace, the president of FCCJ; Lois Becker, senior vice president of academic affairs at JU; and representatives from EWC.
For more information about this new scholarship program, visit www.jacksonvillecommitment.org.
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