Birmingham Students Have Second Chance for Birmingham Promise Scholarship

Special to The Times

Graduates of Birmingham City Schools who missed the opportunity to take advantage of Birmingham Promise may have a second chance at college under a pilot program being launched this summer.

The Second Chance Scholarship will be available for up to 15 students who graduated from 2023-2026, who have never received a Birmingham Promise scholarship, and who experienced chronic absenteeism, risk of homelessness, food insecurity, or risk of justice-system involvement while in school.

Students who are selected as part of the pilot will attend Lawson State Community College or Jefferson State Community College starting this fall.

“This is an excellent opportunity for students who faced challenges in high school to reset and chart a new course for their lives,” said Samantha Williams, CEO of Birmingham Promise. “It’s also a great chance for Birmingham Promise to test a potential new pathway to provide postsecondary opportunities for graduates of Birmingham City Schools.”

The pilot program is being launched with funding from the Aspen Institute, a global nonprofit organization whose areas of interest include economic opportunity.

Students who are eligible and interested in a certificate or associate’s degree program at Lawson State or Jefferson State should complete an interest form here. Birmingham Promise will host two Zoom sessions on July 1 to provide more information.

The Second Chance Scholarship will cover tuition expenses not covered by other grants and scholarships. Students in the program will also benefit from Birmingham Promise success coaches, who help students navigate college.

“This is a second chance for students who have fallen through the cracks in the past,” Williams said. “We are so thankful to the Aspen Institute for its support and partnership on this program.”

For more information, please email scholarships@birminghampromise.org or call 205-843-5967.

About Birmingham Promise: Birmingham Promise provides up to four years of tuition assistance for graduates of Birmingham City Schools who attend public colleges and universities in Alabama. It also manages a paid internship program that allows high school seniors to build valuable work experience. For more information on Birmingham Promise, visit http://www.birminghampromise.org/ or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.