What if simply living and attending school in Grand Rapids could help open the door to an affordable college education?
For eligible local students, that’s exactly what the Grand Rapids Promise Zone Scholarship is designed to do.
The Promise Zone helps eligible Grand Rapids high school graduates pay for tuition, fees, textbooks, and other qualifying educational expenses at Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC). And beginning in 2026, new partnerships with Grand Valley State University and Ferris State University have created opportunities for qualifying students to receive additional support toward earning a bachelor’s degree.
It’s an incredible resource for local students, but its impact extends beyond the students who receive the scholarship.
The Promise Zone represents an investment in education, workforce development, neighborhoods, and the future of Grand Rapids. Whether you’re a student, resident, renter, homeowner, landlord, employer, or local business, there’s reason to be excited about what this program can mean for our community.
What Is the Grand Rapids Promise Zone Scholarship?
The Grand Rapids Promise Zone was established to make higher education more accessible to students who live and attend school in Grand Rapids.
For eligible students, the scholarship can provide funding for up to 72 attempted credit hours at Grand Rapids Community College or an eligible job-training program.
Funding can help cover expenses including:
- GRCC tuition and mandatory fees
- Textbooks and required school supplies
- Certain eligible job-training programs
- Certain on-campus expenses, including food, parking, transportation, and printing
That flexibility is important because not every student’s path after high school looks the same.
Some may want to earn an associate degree and enter the workforce. Others may pursue career or technical training. And some may use GRCC as the beginning of a longer educational journey toward a bachelor’s degree.
The Promise Zone helps make each of those paths more accessible.
Who Is Eligible?
A Grand Rapids mailing address does not necessarily mean a home is within the City of Grand Rapids. Some addresses in surrounding communities also use Grand Rapids as their mailing city. Families should confirm the home’s municipal boundaries and review the Promise Zone’s residency and school-attendance requirements rather than relying on the mailing address alone.
For students graduating with the class of 2026 and beyond, eligibility generally includes requirements related to both residency and school attendance.
Students generally must live within the City of Grand Rapids, attend an eligible high school located within the city, maintain qualifying continuous residency and school attendance beginning no later than the start of 11th grade, and graduate from an eligible Promise Zone high school.
The program currently includes 25 participating public, public charter, and private high schools.
Students must also complete applicable enrollment and financial-aid requirements. Because every student’s circumstances can be different, the Grand Rapids Promise Zone should always be the source for determining individual eligibility.
The Opportunity Is Growing Beyond GRCC
The Promise Zone has become even more exciting with the addition of pathways beyond an associate degree.
Beginning in 2026, partnerships with Grand Valley State University and Ferris State University allow qualifying Promise Zone students who earn an associate degree from GRCC to potentially receive continued financial support while pursuing a bachelor’s degree.
Qualifying students can receive up to $7,000 per academic year in Promise Zone funding at either university, which can be applied toward eligible educational expenses. Additional university support may also be available to help cover remaining tuition and fees.
Timing matters: Promise Zone funding at a partner university must be used within five years of high school graduation, after earning an associate degree from GRCC. Completing GRCC does not start a new five-year window, so students should plan their transfer and remaining funded semesters with a Promise Zone coordinator. Review the university partnership requirements for details.
Along with the academic and enrollment requirements, that timeline is important when planning this educational pathway:
Grand Rapids high school → GRCC → bachelor’s degree
For some students, the financial barriers associated with pursuing that path can be significant. Programs like the Promise Zone can help change the equation.
What This Means for Grand Rapids Students and Residents
The most direct impact of the Promise Zone is on the students who have access to it.
Higher education can create opportunities, but cost can be a significant obstacle for students and households. Reducing those costs can give students greater flexibility when deciding what comes next after high school.
It may mean pursuing a degree without taking on as much student debt. It could make career training more accessible. It may provide an affordable starting point for a student who ultimately wants to transfer and earn a bachelor’s degree.
But there’s another important takeaway for Grand Rapids households:
Learn about the program early.
Because eligibility includes residency and school-attendance requirements, the beginning of senior year isn’t necessarily the best time to first discover the Promise Zone.
Households with younger students can benefit from understanding the requirements well before graduation so they know what opportunities may be available in the future.
What This Means for Grand Rapids Property Owners and Landlords
When deciding where to live, people often consider more than the home itself. Access to education, employment, transportation, and other community resources can help them evaluate whether a location fits their needs.
For rental property owners within the City of Grand Rapids, the Promise Zone is another resource that contributes to what it means to live in the city.
That doesn’t mean landlords should determine whether a particular resident qualifies for the scholarship or promise that living at a particular rental automatically makes someone eligible.
Instead, property owners and managers have an opportunity to simply help spread awareness.
Information about the Promise Zone could be shared through resident newsletters, move-in resources, community resource pages, social media, or other communications with residents. Include a direct link to the Promise Zone eligibility page so residents can review the requirements and connect with the program for guidance.
For households that may qualify, learning about the program could make a meaningful difference.
It’s also a reminder that investing in rental property means investing in a community. Programs that strengthen educational opportunities and make a city more attractive to current and future residents can benefit the broader housing community as well.
What This Means for the Grand Rapids Workforce
Education and workforce development are closely connected.
GRCC offers traditional degree programs alongside career and occupational training designed to prepare students for employment across a variety of industries.
Helping more Grand Rapids students access those programs can create benefits that extend well beyond the individual student.
A stronger pipeline of educated and trained workers can support local employers, help residents pursue better employment opportunities, and contribute to the long-term economic strength of West Michigan.
And with new pathways allowing qualifying Promise Zone students to continue their education at Grand Valley State University or Ferris State University, the potential impact becomes even greater.
Students who grow up in Grand Rapids can have an opportunity to receive an education here, develop career skills here, and ultimately build their careers and lives here.
What This Means for the Grand Rapids Community
Perhaps the biggest story isn’t any one scholarship.
It’s what the Promise Zone represents.
Strong communities create opportunities for people to build a future. That includes quality housing, employment opportunities, vibrant neighborhoods, local businesses, public spaces—and access to education.
In September 2025, GRCC reported that nearly 2,000 students had used the Promise Zone Scholarship to attend GRCC since its launch in 2020, with nearly 800 enrolled that fall.
Each student who participates represents more than an enrollment number.
They’re future nurses, skilled tradespeople, teachers, business owners, technicians, entrepreneurs, public servants, and professionals. They’re also neighbors and members of the Grand Rapids community.
Helping those students build their futures can ultimately help Grand Rapids build its future, too.
Help Spread the Word
One of the easiest ways the Grand Rapids community can support the Promise Zone is simply by making sure more people know it exists.
- If you’re a parent or guardian, learn about the eligibility requirements before your student reaches graduation.
- If you’re a student, explore the educational and career paths that may be available to you.
- If you’re a landlord or property manager, consider including information about the Promise Zone among the local resources you share with residents.
- If you’re an employer, business owner, educator, or other member of the Grand Rapids community, help spread awareness when the opportunity arises.
A resource only creates opportunity when the people who can benefit from it know it’s available.
To learn more, review eligibility requirements, see participating high schools, and explore available educational pathways, visit the Grand Rapids Promise Zone’s official website.
At United Properties of West Michigan, we’re proud to serve property owners and residents throughout West Michigan, and we’re equally proud to help spread the word about resources that strengthen the communities we call home.
The Grand Rapids Promise Zone is an investment in local students, but its potential impact reaches much further.
It’s an investment in the future of Grand Rapids.
Eden joined United Properties in 2016. Eden graduated from Davenport University in 2015 with an Associate’s in Business Administration. She’s the Executive Assistant to the Owner of United Properties, with a focus on procedural documentation. She enjoys playing guitar, reading, and doing outdoor activities. Eden is trilingual and able to communicate in English, Spanish, and American Sign Language. 
David joined the United Properties team in 2019 as the Director of Client Relations and Business Development. In this capacity, he is responsible for leading all leasing, application underwriting, tenant relations, accounts receivable, process improvement, remote workers, and general office functionality (essentially anything outside of maintenance and service). David comes from a longstanding career at a Fortune 15 company primarily in a sales and customer service leadership role.
Cristina joined United Properties as the Accounting and Billing Team Lead in October of 2020. She has experience as a technology professional, an English-Spanish translator, and has worked the past several years as the treasurer of her condominium.
Rick joined United Properties in 2020 as a Service Coordinator and then later transitioned to the Collections team, where his customer service shines. Rick has an extensive background in customer service and enjoys being able to resolve issues. He and his wife are raising their two kids and in his free time, Rick enjoys making his own homemade jerky.
Harriet joined United Properties as a Accounting & Billing Specialist in February of 2021. She has experience as a bookkeeper and a Property Manager for a Real Estate account. She was a working student during her college days. Harriet loves cleaning because she thinks it is therapeutic. She also loves watching series during her free time, and she’s a fur mom of one dog. Her inspiration to work every day is her family.
Diego has an extensive background in customer service and, most recently in Maintenance and
Paulina joined United in early 2021 as a Leasing Assistant. She has a background studying social work, with several years of experience in customer service. She speaks English and Spanish fluently and loves to learn. Paulina enjoys small road trips and cold, rainy weather. Her dog is her favorite thing in the world.
Jessica has a Bachelor’s Degree in Financial strategies and public accounting and is studying a masters in Blockchain and Fintech regulation. She has previous experience as a customer service representative. She speaks English and Spanish. She loves taking long walks with her three dogs, hiking and road tripping during the weekends.
Chris Good is new to the United Properties Team since June 2022 as a Business Development Manager. With years of experience in both the construction industry (Master Electrician) and the Real Estate industry (Broker), he will closely work with new and experienced investors to facilitate their real estate goals.
Enrique Vergara (Henry)
Alyssa Conklin
Soroya has been with United Properties since March 2025. Her problem-solving, time management, and communication skills help her shine when working collaboratively with tenants and prospects. She is currently pursuing a degree in Cyber Security at Davenport University. Thanks to her tech-savviness, she excels at navigating and troubleshooting common technology and software issues.
Marlon Joined United Properties in 2025 as a service coordinator. He arrived with solid experience in customer service, property management, and marketing. If you need assistance with either a new or a previous situation, he will be more than glad to help you. Depending on the season, he likes spending time outdoors, going hiking, or simply taking a stroll around town to see what’s new in the city.
Hector began his career in customer service in 2017, gaining valuable experience in client support and communication. In 2021, he transitioned into sales roles, where he developed a strong ability to drive results and build relationships. Since 2023, he has worked in maintenance, IT, and tech support, expanding his skills in troubleshooting, systems support, and hands-on problem-solving. His background combines over eight years of customer-facing roles with a growing expertise in technical support and operations.
Gar Allison joined United Properties as Director of Operations in August 2025. He brings a decade of experience, covering construction project management, supply chain, sales, marketing, and regulatory compliance. Before that, he spent five years as an Engines Sales Representative in Kansas City, MO, shortly after graduating from Davenport University in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in business management.
