New scholarship uplifts students and the local workforce
PINELLAS COUNTY — When St. Petersburg College rolled out the new SPC Promise Scholarship this past spring, doors were opened to thousands of local students who could use the opportunity to earn a degree that would quickly get them into the workforce, earning good wages.
The SPC Promise Scholarship covers tuition and fees after any grants or scholarships a student receives at St. Petersburg College through a student’s graduation from an associate in arts, associate in science or a financial aid-eligible certificate program. The program was offered to 2023 graduates from Lakewood, Tarpon Springs, Pinellas Park, Clearwater and Northeast High schools. Hundreds of students are now enrolled at SPC for this Fall Term, many of whom thought that they wouldn’t be able to afford a college degree.
Camryn Lewis graduated from Pinellas Park High School last May. She said the scholarship has truly helped her family.
“I’m grateful because I know a lot of people who can’t afford college, and this is a great way to do it without going into debt,” Lewis said.
The scholarship aims to uplift the community by providing a valuable education at no cost to students from underserved areas in Pinellas County. It also seeks to strengthen the local workforce by training skilled workers.
SPC works closely with more than 500 local businesses to help the college shape its curriculum to meet local workforce needs. SPC offers more than 200 programs, including more than 30 two-year associate in science degrees available to Promise Scholars.
“Providing avenues for economic mobility is key to our mission at SPC,” said SPC President Dr. Tonjua Williams. “We are thrilled to offer this scholarship that both prepares our students for sustainable, high-wage careers and bolsters the local workforce.”
Many more scholarships are offered for those who didn’t graduate from one of these eligible high schools. Annually, SPC awards more than $6 million through the SPC Foundation, corporations, private donors, the State of Florida and the college itself.
Learn more about those opportunities at spcollege.edu/scholarships.
