On Monday, Oct. 21, SAISD students, parents and families are invited to the Alamo Convocation Center to learn more about a new program that provides no-cost college tuition for graduating seniors. The event, which begins at 6:30 p.m., gives attendees a chance to talk with representatives from the Alamo Colleges about AlamoPROMISE – a program that provides last-dollar scholarships to graduating seniors from a number of SAISD high schools.

“I’m excited for what AlamoPROMISE means for all of our students,” said Dustin Nieto, SAISD coordinator for Postsecondary Initiatives. “I believe that the majority of SAISD students would like to pursue a college education. It may be in the form of a bachelor’s degree, associate degree, and/or a certification. The AlamoPROMISE is going to ensure more students have access to these educational opportunities.”

According to the Alamo Colleges District, the AlamoPROMISE partnership with local government, community partners, local businesses and local ISD’s provides last-dollar funding to students at one of the Alamo Colleges for completion of a credential or three years of college at one of the Alamo Colleges. Last-dollar funding fills the gap between a student’s financial aid award and the actual cost of tuition and mandatory fees.

“Say it costs $2,400 to go to one of the Alamo Colleges,” explained Nieto. “But after doing financial aid and scholarship applications, a student only comes up with $800. What the last dollar funding does is it brings in the additional $1,600 to help fund that student to go to an Alamo College. It will completely cover their tuition.”

To become an AlamoPROMISE Scholar, a student must be a San Antonio/Bexar County resident and a senior graduating in 2020 from one of the 25 participating high schools with a high school diploma. By the fall of 2021, the AlamoPROMISE program will be available to students graduating with a diploma from an additional 20 participating public high schools in Bexar County.

“AlamoPROMISE demonstrates that the Alamo Colleges District and its partners are committed to ending poverty, enhancing economic and social mobility and meeting workforce demands in our area by making it possible for more students to complete college prepared for high-wage, high-demand jobs,” said Mike Flores, Alamo Colleges chancellor at a recent AlamoPROMISE kickoff event held at Jefferson High School. “AlamoPROMISE says to our prospective, current and future students, 'We have confidence in your ability to succeed, and we and our partners in AlamoPROMISE are committed to investing in your success.’”

Transportation will be provided with buses leaving SAISD students’ home high schools at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 21. For more information on the event, contact your high school’s college bound advisor.