Ferris State University joins Newaygo County Area Promise Zone

Ferris State University has partnered with the Newaygo County Area Promise Zone. The partnership will allow for high school students graduating from a Newaygo County high school or are homeschooled in Newaygo County to receive a scholarship of up to $5,000 per year to attend Ferris State University. The scholarship will be available beginning in the Fall 2025 semester and will apply to students seeking both associate and bachelor degrees from Ferris State University.

According to an article on Ferris State University’s website, Blake Prewitt, who is the Newaygo County Area Promize Zone Chairperson, was quoted as saying of the new partnership, “We are thrilled to announce the addition of Ferris State University as an eligible college for the Promise Zone Scholarship. Ferris State has been a valued partner to Newaygo County school districts, and we look forward to the incredible opportunities this will create for our students to succeed and thrive."

The Newaygo County Area Promise Zone was first established in 2016 and at that time, its only college partner was Muskegon Community College. Ferris State University is the first four-year college included in the Newaygo County Area Promise Zone.

In order to be eligible for the Newaygo County Area Promise Zone, students must graduate from a high school in the following school districts within Newaygo County: Big Jackson, Fremont, Grant, Hesperia, Newaygo, and White Cloud. Additionally, these students must have a final grade point average of 2.5 when graduating from high school, must complete the FAFSA, and must meet any legal requirements to be awarded financial aid. To receive the full amount of the scholarship, students must have attended an eligible school from seventh through 12th grades, though if they attended for a shorter amount of time but still graduate from an eligible high school, their award amount will be prorated accordingly.

Students who accept the scholarship must attend Ferris State University full time and take at least 12 credit hours per semester. They must also maintain a 2.0 GPA while at the university and must maintain satisfying academic progress. The scholarship will cover up to $5,000 per year and is renewable for up to four years.

Ferris State University’s president Bill Pink said, “Communities grow and thrive when residents have access to a quality education. I am so thrilled to form this partnership with the Newaygo Promise Zone Authority, as it will provide students with even more opportunities and improve access to our transformational programs at Ferris State. This will positively impact students directly, but also families and the greater Newaygo County community.”

For more information about Ferris State University, visit the school’s website.