All the 193 students of the inaugural class of NBA legend, LeBron James’ I Promise School located in his hometown of Akron, Ohio, will be receiving free tuition to Kent State University.
According to a press release, the students will be guaranteed free tuition for four years as well as one year of a free room and meal plan.
The students who are high school juniors learned about this good news whilst they were visiting the Kent State campus.
When you show up to @KentState for your 11th grade experience outing, but find out you’re also getting FREE tuition for 4 years AND a year of free room & board‼️ ?? pic.twitter.com/udCrl95qFi
— LeBron James Family Foundation (@LJFamFoundation) February 12, 2020
Their parents were watching the announcement made by the LeBron James Family Foundation from a live feed in a separate room and they couldn’t help but shed tears of joy.
“We have so many options, and I just know that so many kids in my community just don’t have many options. So for me to be able to be in a position where I can give these kids options to decide what they want to do with their future, it’s probably the best thing I’ve ever done,” James said.
LeBron James’ Family Foundation expanded a program for his oldest I PROMISE network kids to include free tuition for four years at Kent State (they were already guaranteed at University of Akron). Asked by @mcten, LeBron says “It’s probably the best thing I’ve ever done.” pic.twitter.com/i9tQKZYTme
— Kyle Goon (@kylegoon) February 13, 2020
The free tuition program was, as a result, an existing partnership between Kent State and the LJFF in which I PROMISE students attend summer enrichment college preparation programs at the university.
“We are so pleased to take our partnership with the LeBron James Family Foundation to this next level and welcome these students fully into the Kent State family,” said Kent State President Todd Diacon.
“Kent State looks forward to the time when our campus is teeming with I Promise students.”
The students will be eligible for the package as college freshmen for the 2021-2022 academic years.
However, to remain eligible, students will have to remain in good academic standing, take part in a required number of community service or volunteer hours and complete a minimum number of credit hours per year.
“We have already seen the impressive results that the I PROMISE Network is having on its participating students,” interim Senior Vice President and Provost Melody Tankersley said. “We are so pleased that Kent State will become the next step in the educational journey of these amazing young people, and so happy that we can start them on their way to exciting careers and lives full of inspiration.”
“The I PROMISE program is built on the ‘earned, not given’ philosophy. We are so excited that our students that have worked incredibly hard have earned even more life-changing opportunities to grow and excel,” said Michele Campbell, executive director of the LeBron James Family Foundation.
“We are so thankful to the entire Kent State family for believing in our students and providing exactly the type of programming and support they need to be successful not only in school but in life.”
