Kent State University will provide free tuition for four years as well as one year of free room and board to eligible students who are part of the LeBron James Family Foundation’s (LJFF) I PROMISE Network.
This new program was created through a partnership between Kent State and the LJFF that has included providing summer enrichment college preparation programs at the university for I PROMISE students.
“We are so pleased to take our partnership with the LeBron James Family Foundation to this next level and welcome these students fully into the Kent State family,” Kent State President Todd Diacon said. “Kent State looks forward to the time when our campus is teeming with I PROMISE students.”
“The I PROMISE program is built on the ‘earned, not given’ philosophy. We are so excited that our students that have worked incredibly hard have earned even more life-changing opportunities to grow and excel,” said Michele Campbell, executive director of the LeBron James Family Foundation. “We are so thankful to the entire Kent State family for believing in our students and providing exactly the type of programming and support they need to be successful not only in school, but in life.”
To be eligible for the free tuition, I PROMISE students must be successfully admitted to Kent State, fill out required financial aid forms and complete a requisite number of community service hours each semester.
Under the new program, Kent State will cover the tuition that remains for the I PROMISE students after they receive funds from traditional financial aid sources and will provide the first year’s room and meal plan.
To remain eligible for the free tuition each year, the students must remain in good academic standing, must complete a minimum number of credit hours annually and must take part in a required number of community service or volunteer hours.
The university also is beginning a fundraising effort to help cover other expenses for these students, including the remaining three years of room and board, books and other experiential opportunities.
The LJFF’s I PROMISE program supports more than 1,400 Akron students in grades three through 10 through mentoring, college and career preparation and wrap-around family support.