Hoopeston may become the first Vermilion County community to boast that everyone who lives there – and graduates from Hoopeston Area High School – is guaranteed a college education. Danville Area Community College President Stephen Nacco (shown here) says the ‘’Promise Scholars’’ program is gaining in popularity…
Hoopeston Area Superintendent Suzzette Hesser would like to introduce the program to this fall’s ninth-grade class, but says there is more groundwork that needs to be done. ”Hoopeston Area is exploring the Promise Scholars Program as a way to support our students and further develop and college and career culture in our district,” says Hesser. She added they are in the early planning stages for a possible pilot group that will proceed with community support through voice and contribution. ”Already, we have community members praising the opportunity that Promise Scholars would bring to Hoopeston area.” Superintendent Hesser is working with a team from Danville Area Community College – including DACC Hoopeston Center Director Karla Coon. Their team is investigating a number of funding sources for the scholarships, but it would not be the school district that pays for them.
DACC President Nacco notes the students could pursue college in a variety of areas…
Although Hoopeston Area may be the first Vermilion County district to run with the program, President Nacco says other county districts are discussing it.
The ‘’Promise Scholars’’ funds the last dollar. In other words, the scholarship would cover whatever was not paid through other means, including Pell grants, MAP grants, and DACC scholarships. The program would provide scholarship support for two years, however ‘’Promise Scholars’’ who graduate and enter Danville Area Community College would need to stay on track and graduate on time.
