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Reps. Smith, Bailey encourage middle school students to apply
for scholarships
Foster youth, low-income students in 8th grade have until June 1
to sign up
Middle school students who
sign a pledge promising to graduate from high school and demonstrate
good citizenship may be eligible for four-year scholarships.
Reps. Norma Smith and
Barbara
Bailey encourage
low-income and foster youth in 7th and 8th grade to apply for the new
College Bound scholarships by June 1.
College Bound is a new
scholarship program funded by the Legislature last year. Students who
receive free or reduced-price lunches and foster youth are eligible to
apply. Current eighth-graders must
apply by June 1. This year's seventh-graders
have until June 1, 2009. An
estimated 56,000 students are currently
eligible to apply for the scholarship.
To permit a scholarship award, family income must remain at 65
percent or less of the state’s median income by the time of high school
graduation. Qualifying students will receive four-year college
scholarships that cover the costs for fees, books and tuition.
"With the rising cost of a
college education, these types of scholarship programs are crucial to
making sure every student, regardless of his or her financial means, has
the opportunity to follow a dream," said Smith, R-Clinton. "I
have spent years working on education issues in our state, and I believe
that every child is uniquely gifted. This fund encourages young people
to discover their potential, develop a passion for learning and achieve
their goals."
"This
program allows students to set and reach important academic
goals that will benefit them the rest of their lives. It is
important for all students, regardless of how much their families make,
to know that higher education opportunities await them if they work
hard," said Bailey, R-Oak Harbor. "This program is also
an investment in our state's future,
and I look forward to continuing to support these scholarships."
For more information
about the College Bound
Scholarship, visit the Web site at
www.hecb.wa.gov/collegebound.
# # #
For more information, contact:
John
Handy, Assistant Director: (360) 786-5758
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