AKRON, Ohio — EDITOR'S NOTE: The video above previously aired on 3News on Sept. 23, 2022.
The LeBron James Family Foundation and Stark State College has announced a new partnership to help students and their parents receive access to higher education.
The innovative program will give students in the Lebron James Family Foundation's I PROMISE network as well as two parents or guardians living with the student two academic years of free tuition and resources at Stark State.
Eligible students will receive "last-dollar tuition scholarships for any program, certificate or associate degree, bridging the gap between financial aid from grants and scholarships and the cost of tuition," said LeBron James Family foundation officials in a press release.
“We are pleased to partner with the LeBron James Family Foundation to provide educational access and opportunities to I PROMISE Network students and their families,” said Para M. Jones, Ph.D., Stark State College president. “Stark State is committed to supporting students and their families with free tuition, as well as resources to help them succeed in earning a degree or certificate that leads to an in-demand career and/or a bachelor’s degree.”
With the partnership, students in the I PROMISE network will have opportunities to prepare for Stark State courtesy of campus visits, career pathway exploration and parent/guardian information sessions.
“For the LeBron James Family Foundation, it’s always been about serving not just our students, but the entire family. Being able to extend this scholarship opportunity to our parents and guardians is an absolute game changer,” said Michele Campbell, Executive Director of the LeBron James Family Foundation. “We are so grateful to Stark State College for embracing our We Are Family model and opening doors for all of our family members so that higher education is not only a possibility, but a reality for them. This is going to change the futures for so many of our families and we’re excited for them to start exploring all of the opportunities in front of them.”
Students who enroll in the program will receive advising, tutoring and other academic services.
More information on the program can be found HERE or by calling Robyn Steinmetz at 330-494-6170 ext. 4599 or by emailing her at rsteinmetz@starkstate.edu.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The video above previously aired on 3News on June 2, 2021.