By Mike Sunnucks | Rose Law Group Reporter
An effort by the City of Phoenix to create a $5 million college tuition assistance program to help as many as 400 local students is poised to take another step forward.
The $5 million allocation is from Phoenix’s share of the federal American Rescue Plan Act COVID and economic relief package.
The Phoenix City Council will be asked at its Aug. 31 to approve a measure allowing city managers to move forward with forging the new Phoenix Promise Program. The effort aims to help local students attend Maricopa Community College.
The council action, if approved, will also allow the program to be forged with the Maricopa County Community College District Foundation. The council gave budgetary approval in June and is now being asked to push the program forward with the community college foundation.
The financial assistance will include scholarships and stipends for Phoenix students with financial needs — including those who qualify for federal Pell Grants.
The program is initially set to run through spring 2025.
Phoenix’s allocation from the $1.9 trillion federal spending package totals $396 million.
