RIT on TV News: Rochester Scholarship Program

WROC-TV (Channel 8) reports on a new scholarship program at Rochester Institute of Technology that will ensure free tuition to the university for qualified students from the Rochester City School District.

If a student from the Rochester City School District wants it bad enough and can make the grade, they'll be able to come to the Rochester Institute of Technology, tuition free. "We can only reach our true potential if Rochester continues to be one of the best educated regions in the country," said RIT president Bill Destler.

Currently, about 88% of the city school district lives below the poverty level. Often, college isn't affordable or a possibility. At RIT, tuition costs $28,000 a year. "We all know that the way to reduce poverty, a way to cut the poverty cycle, is to get a kid to get a college degree," said Jean-Claude Brizard, the superintendent of the Rochester City School District.

"This removes that barrier, but I think this also removes the excuses that sometimes I hear from young people. There is no excuse now," said Malik Evans, the president of the RCSD school board.

Cordero Rivera and Malinda Kay are seniors at East High School. Both were interested in RIT, but neither thought they could afford it. Until today. Their reaction to the news?
"Awesome," said Melinda.
"I think it's a good opportunity," said Cordero.

Cordero and Malinda say they might qualify for free tuition. The possibility is giving them an extra push. "It gives kids more opportunities. Instead of being out in the streets, we can do something to help our community," said Cordero.

"It kind of like gives me a chance at gaining acceptance," said Melinda.

Destler and school leaders hope students as young as those in middle school will feel the same way. "I'm hopeful that those students will see this as a real incentive," said Destler.

The RIT president also announced he's donating $150,000 of his own money to support the program.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• RIT