Jefferson County Public Schools seniors who will graduate in May 2021 can begin applying for the Evolve502 Scholarship Oct. 1.
The Evolve502 Scholarship will allow eligible students to begin postsecondary studies tuition-free at any Kentucky Community and Technical College school or Simmons College of Kentucky to pursue an associate degree or career credential, or take 60 hours of credit.
“The Evolve502 Scholarship allows every eligible JCPS graduate in the Class of 2021 to pursue their college and career dreams, at a time of financial uncertainty, high unemployment, and calls for racial justice and equal opportunity in our city,” said Marland Cole, Evolve502 Executive Director. “We believe every young person should have equal access to postsecondary education and to the necessary supports to ensure their success. We’re so thankful to our strong network of donors and business partners who have stepped forward to make this promise possible.”
The Evolve502 Scholarship application will be available at evolve502.org/scholarship and takes about five minutes to complete. Once applications are submitted and reviewed, applicants will receive a follow-up email with next steps including completing the federal financial aid form and applying to eligible colleges.
Details of the scholarship include:
- The Evolve502 scholarship is a last dollar scholarship, meaning Evolve502 will fund the difference between federal and state financial aid and college tuition and mandatory fees, ensuring no Evolve502 scholar pays tuition.
- In addition to the scholarships, scholars whose families earn less than $40,000 annually will be eligible for opportunity grants of $1,000 per semester (maximum $2,000 annually) to assist with costs outside of tuition and mandatory fees including books, housing, transportation etc.
Full eligibility requirements can be viewed at evolve502.org/scholarship.
Evolve502’s goal is to increase college access support and success for students who want to attend college or get workforce training and certifications, including many of Louisville’s most vulnerable students – low-income, historically marginalized, first generation and others who have been left out or left behind.
Cost, or perceived cost of post-secondary education, is cited as one of the top barriers that prevent young people from attending college. Evolve502 gathered the best experts from around the state, utilizing national best practices, to develop a scholarship program designed around equity, access and success.
Students who have questions about the scholarship should email scholarships@evolve502.org for support.