News
13th Year Scholarship Becomes Seattle Promise
Seeding a Simple Concept that Works
Nov. 1, 2024
College Spark Washington
"If you graduate from high school in Seattle and you want to come to college, we're going to help you do that," says Senior Executive Director of Seattle Promise Melody McMillan."
The Path to UW and Beyond
June 28, 2024
Danielle Marie Holland
University of Washington Undergraduate Academic Affairs
“With the assistance of my professors at Seattle Central College and the Path to UW program, my transition was smoother than I anticipated. I am grateful for the generous support I’ve received,” said first-generation college student, Chloe Sarmiento.
Seattle Promise scholarship attracts two-thirds of city’s high school graduating seniors
May 14, 2024
Contact: Barb Childs
206-934-4087
barbara.childs@seattlecolleges.edu
Currently in its sixth year, Seattle Promise consistently surpasses application and enrollment projections. Nearly two-thirds of eligible Seattle public high school graduating seniors applied to the Seattle Promise program in fall, 2023. This represents the largest cohort, with 1,460 students, of whom approximately 68 percent identify as BIPOC. Applications from Seattle public and charter high school graduates increased by roughly 10 percent from 2022 to 2023.
Fall 2023’s demographics indicate one-third of enrolled students were first-generation college students. Higher enrollment rates were observed among students of color (28 percent), ranging from 23 percent for students of mixed race to 31 percent for Latinx students.
Retention rates have also indicated progress: 2022’s cohort stands at 60 percent, which is 10 percent higher than the prior cohort (50 percent) which experienced the full impact of the pandemic and fewer equity enhancements. Equity enhancements include scholarship funds for books, supplies, transportation, and childcare.
Notably, the three-year completion rate for cohort 2020, the first to receive equity enhancements, is 32 percent. Equity scholarships clearly enable more students to remain in school and graduate. By introducing equity enhancements such as extending to a third academic year and providing greater flexibility in reducing course loads for the cohort of 2020 during the height of the pandemic, an additional 66 students successfully graduated by their third year. Nearly 40 percent of Promise scholars enrolled in Fall 2023 received equity scholarships; of these recipients, 85 percent identify as BIPOC.
Foundational partnerships with Seattle School District and Department of Education & Early Learning as well as partnerships with local four-year institutions and community organizations continue to assist with generating awareness, interest and ultimately, applications.
Foundational partnerships with Seattle School District and Department of Education & Early Learning as well as partnerships with local four-year institutions and community organizations continue to assist with generating awareness, interest and ultimately, applications.
2023 Articles
Celebrate and Promote Seattle Promise: Editorial
Dec. 14, 2023 · The Seattle Times
By Carlton Winfrey
In 2018, Seattle voters enabled the Seattle Promise program launch by approving an education levy to fund the program. The program has delivered on its promise, and then some.
Seattle Promise continues showing strong results
With Nearly A 100 Percent College Application Rate, Garfield Is Setting A New Standard For Outcomes And Expectations
Feb. 8, 2023 · The Seattle Medium
By Aaron Allen
Equity Enhanced Pandemic Response Shows Promise for Scholars
Jan. 13, 2023 · Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning
By Sage Leibenson
“Seattle Promise has been overwhelmingly successful in its first four years, surpassing enrollment projections and increasing college persistence despite the unforeseen challenges of a global pandemic. The equity enhancements are targeting low-income and BIPOC students who need these investments to recover, re-enter the program, complete their degrees, and find successful careers.”
2022 Articles
Connecting Promise Programs to Community College Transfer
April 8, 2022 · Inside Higher Education
By Tania LaViolet
"One emerging model may provide a road map for other institutions. It’s the Path to UW—a transfer partnership between the Seattle Colleges Seattle Promise program and the University of Washington Seattle campus. We think it will inspire civic leaders and higher education leaders."
Fill out your FAFSA - free money for college awaits
March 28, 2022 · Seattle Times
By Jenn Smith
"Sarah Bishop, Seattle Promise’s assistant director, said students and families are more likely to complete the paperwork when they have many opportunities to get support throughout the college and financial aid application process."
College Promise Coalition - Our Work in Action
Jan. 11, 2022 · College Promise Coalition
Shelzy shares about the supports she's received through Seattle Promise that have enabled her to succeed at the University of Washington on the path to her college degree.
Continuing education can unlock family-wage careers
Jan. 23, 2022 ·
By Jeff Vincent
"This is a life-changing opportunity for thousands of our young adults who choose to seek a good job after high school graduation. By inspiring and assisting more of our high school graduates to take advantage of continuing education, we will improve their prospects for a productive adulthood. The entire community will benefit."
2021 Articles
Mayor, Amazon, Seattle Colleges announce investments in new B.S. programs in computer science
Dec. 13, 2021
"During a news conference announcing the new computer science initiative and grants, North Seattle computer science student Riko Niyomwungere said he didn’t have the best grades while at Ingraham High School. But he had counselors and teachers who rallied to help him pursue college through the city’s Seattle Promise, a program that lets Seattle high school graduates attend two years of community college for free. At North Seattle College, he said, he’s found passions for robotics and automation and interests in working in databases and cybersecurity."
New Partnership Makes College More Attainable For Graduates of Seattle Public Schools
Dec. 7 · Seattle Medium
By Aaron Allen
“Combining Seattle Promise and WSOS will ensure Seattle students have the support they need to pursue the high-demand jobs in our region,” said Kimber Connors, WSOS Executive Director.
Washington's Opportunity Scholarship program celebrates 6,196 grads, and counting
Dec. 4 · Seattle Times
By Jenn Smith
"Three years ago, Albany Garcia moved to the United States from Venezuela, enrolled in Seattle’s Ingraham High School, and graduated in eight months. She first became a Seattle Promise scholar, able to go to community college tuition-free. 'It was the best news I ever received,' she said... To help sustain her career goals, she was encouraged by Camara Harris-Weaver — then a Seattle Promise retention specialist for North Seattle College, now a WSOS career and technical scholarship adviser — to apply for a Washington State Opportunity Scholarship. Garcia got it."
Success stories: Supporting more WA students to succeed in education after high school
Dec. 3 · Seattle Times Education Lab
Sponsored content by Partnership for Learning
Seattle's free community college program grows in size and impact
Nov. 22, 2021 · The Urbanist
By Natalie Bicknell Argerious
How Seattle plans to scale up its free community college program and help more students
Nov. 12, 2021 · Seattle Times Education Lab
By Dahlia Bazzaz
'I have a future': how Biden's free community college plan could transform education
July 19, 2021 · The Guardian | US Education
By Hallie Golden
Seattle Colleges launch $50-million racial equity campaign
June 2021
Crosscut Sponsored Content
“I thought, if all these people are willing to care for me to get this far, why not at least try college?” says Niyomwungere, a Zimbabwe-born, Seattle-raised 19-year-old now studying at North Seattle College. “The last thing I want is to someday be on my deathbed and wonder what would have happened if I had only taken the chance.”
Seattle's free community college program could serve as national model
May 4, 2021 · NPR WBUR | Here and Now
Here & Now's Tonya Mosley speaks with Seattle Colleges Chancellor Shouan Pan about the impact of Seattle Promise, a program that provides city high school students with two years of free community college education in the city.
Seattle's tuition-free community college program sees record application numbers despite pandemic
Seattle's tuition-free community college program sees record application numbers despite pandemic
April 2, 2021 · Seattle Times Education Lab
By Elise Takahama
Seattle Promise and Seattle Colleges' HBCU partnerships
January 29, 2021 · Converge Media Morning Update
- Live Morning Update (see 48:54)
- Full Interview available on YouTube and Instagram
Seattle Central College Associate Dean of STEM & Business, Dr. Chelsia Berry and Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning, Director Director Dwane Chappelle share the upcoming Seattle Promise application deadline and Seattle Colleges' transfer agreements with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU).
Seattle Promise gains ground in higher education
Dec. 16, 2020 | The Seattle Times editorial board
Seattle's tuition-free community college program comes to the rescue during the pandemic
Nov. 22, 2020 · The Seattle Times
By Joy Removits
Free college: Can Washington keep that promise during a recession?
April 30, 2020 · The Seattle Times
By Katherine Long
Seattle Promise program expands to all Seattle public high schools
Dec. 22, 2019 · The Seattle Times
By Hannah Furfaro
Seattle high-school graduates will get 2 free years of community college. Here's how it will work.
Nov. 29 · The Seattle Times
By Katherine Long
Durkan makes pitch for free community college plan ahead of vote on $637.8 million levy
Sept. 21, 2018 · The Seattle Times
By Katherine Long
More than half of Seattle Public Schools graduating seniors apply for Seattle Promise
February 20, 2020
Contact: Barb Childs
206-934-4087
barbara.childs@seattlecolleges.edu
SEATTLE —The day after Valentine’s Day was even sweeter for more than half of Seattle Public High Schools graduates who applied for two years (or up to 90 credits) of tuition-free college in fall 2020 through Seattle Promise.
Seattle Promise provides tuition, funding for school-related expenses for those with need, and individual guidance and advising from high school through a student’s first two years of college regardless of GPA, income, ability or country of birth. The program covers any remaining tuition balance at one of the Seattle Colleges (North, Central or South) after other public funding, grants or scholarships a student may be eligible to receive have been applied. Seattle voters passed the Families, Education, Preschool and Promise levy to support the program in November 2018.
“We want all students to know and believe college is a real possibility,” said Seattle Colleges’ Chancellor Shouan Pan. “Our wraparound services give all Seattle Promise students, especially first generation and underserved youth, an equitable pathway for college education and success in the world of work.”
Seattle Colleges received nearly 1,800 applications for the college scholarship and success program by the Feb. 15 midnight deadline, marking the first major milestone in the program’s expansion from six Seattle public high schools to all 17 schools.
“We created Seattle Promise because we believe in our young people and we believe in our students,” said Seattle Mayor Jenny A. Durkan. “We know that access to free, high-quality education makes a tangible and positive improvement in our young people’s lives. That’s why I’m so proud that nearly 1,800 students have expressed interest in Seattle Promise for the 2020-2021 academic year.”
“As we celebrate the growth in applications, we now look to helping students and families complete their financial aid applications.” said Melody McMillan, Seattle Promise program director. “Seattle Promise specialists are at each high school to assist students and families as they complete federal and state college financial aid applications. Our goal is to see all students progress through the application stage to our first event welcome event in May. Once students get here for Readiness Academy, they really begin to embrace college is possible for themselves,” said McMillan
“We are building a partnership with our students, families, our education systems and city. I want all of our graduates to see themselves in meaningful and fulfilling careers, earning living-wages in a city they love,” said Seattle Public Schools superintendent Denise Juneau. “Seattle Promise is one of the programs that is going to help us get them there.”
Missed the Deadline? Other Funding Options Available at Seattle Colleges
Applications for the Seattle Promise class of fall 2020 are now closed; however, other scholarship and funding options to attend Seattle Colleges are available. Apply to the college of your choice — North Seattle College, Seattle Central College or South Seattle College — and visit the financial aid office for more information.
Applications for the class of 2021 open Oct. 1, 2020. Join the Seattle Promise mailing list to receive updates about next year’s Seattle Promise program.
More information at seattlecolleges.edu/promise.
Seattle Promise, launched in 2018, is a partnership with the City of Seattle’s Department of Education and Early Learning and Seattle Public Schools. The program, primarily funded by the city of Seattle’s Family, Education Preschool and Promise (FEPP) Levy with additional private support through the Seattle Colleges Foundation, is focused on providing college access, success, and completion with a mission to build a local thriving college-going culture that creates a workforce ready for our region’s careers.
Seattle Colleges is Washington state’s largest college district, with more than 46,000 students enrolled each year. It is composed of Seattle Central College, North Seattle College, South Seattle College, and six specialty centers. Seattle Colleges offers more than 135 workforce education and training programs that lead to bachelor’s degrees in high-growth industries, associate degrees in various disciplines, certificates in professional-technical programs, and transfer degrees to universities throughout the United States.
Seattle Promise expands to all Seattle Public High Schools' students; apply now
Nov. 21, 2019
Contact:
Barb Childs
Executive Director of Communications & Recruitment
206.934.4087
Barbara.Childs@seattlecolleges.edu
SEATTLE – Graduates of Seattle public high schools now have access to two years (or up to 90 credits) of tuition-free college at Seattle Colleges thanks to the newly expanded Seattle Promise program.
This year's class of 399 Seattle Promise students, a 43 percent increase from last year, is projected to grow exponentially as the program expands from six Seattle public high schools to all 17 schools.
In November 2017, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan issued an Executive Order to create the Seattle Promise College Tuition Program, which builds off Seattle Colleges' successful 13th Year Promise Scholarship. In November 2018, Seattle voters overwhelmingly passed the Mayor's Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise levy, which expanded Seattle Promise to include graduates from all Seattle public high schools.
"We want all students to know and believe college is a possibility," said Seattle Colleges' chancellor Shouan Pan. "Through wraparound services, Seattle Promise gives all students, especially first generation and underserved youth, a real and equitable pathway for college education and success in the world of work."
"On my first full day in office, we created the Seattle Promise College Tuition Program to provide our students two free years at any of our Seattle Colleges,” said Mayor Jenny Durkan. “Access to post-secondary education is so critical to ensuring we close the opportunity gap in our region, put more young people on a path to good-paying jobs, and create a more affordable future for our children. I’m grateful to Chancellor Pan and Superintendent Juneau for their commitment to making the Seattle Promise a reality."
Seattle Promise provides tuition, funding for school-related expenses for those with need, and individual guidance and advising from high school through a student’s first two years of college regardless of GPA, income or country of birth.
"This combination is what sets the program apart," said Melody McMillian, Seattle Promise program director. "Students are met where they have need, supported by peers who are also going through the program, and guided individually by an advisor all along the way. The design is deliberately holistic and is improving student success."
Seattle Promise is a partnership with the City of Seattle’s Department of Education and Early Learning and Seattle Public Schools. The program, primarily funded by the city of Seattle’s Family, Education Preschool and Promise (FEPP) Levy with additional private support through the Seattle Colleges Foundation, is focused on providing college access, success, and completion with a mission to build a local thriving college-going culture that creates a workforce ready for our region’s careers.
Applications for the Seattle Promise class of fall 2020 are now open until Feb. 15, 2020. Seattle Public School students are encouraged to start the application process in the fall of their senior year.
"I want all of our graduates to see themselves in meaningful and fulfilling careers, earning living-wages in a city they love,” said Seattle Public Schools superintendent Denise Juneau. “Seattle Promise is one of the programs that is going to help us get them there."
Seattle Colleges is Washington state’s largest college district, with more than 46,000 students enrolled each year. It is composed of Seattle Central College, North Seattle College, South Seattle College, and six specialty centers. Seattle Colleges offers more than 135 workforce education and training programs that lead to bachelor’s degrees in high-growth industries, associate degrees in various disciplines, certificates in professional-technical programs, and transfer degrees to universities throughout the United States.
In 2018, Seattle Colleges partnered with the city of Seattle and Seattle Public Schools to launch Seattle Promise with the aim of increasing the number of public high school graduates earning certificates, credentials, and degrees.