The Detroit College Promise is among several programs nationwide that attempt to copy the Kalamazoo Promise, a privately funded program that provides four-year scholarships to all students who graduate from the Kalamazoo Public Schools.

In 2009, its first year of operation, the program gave awards to six students at Cody High. This year, awardees number 115, with the ultimate goal of offering every DPS graduate $10,000 -- $2,500 per year for four years -- beginning with the class of 2015, Pernick said.

Detroit College Promise requirements

• Detroit Public Schools students are eligible to apply for scholarships that range from $50 to $500

• Students must reside in Detroit, at least throughout high school

• During senior year, students must complete a federal application for federal student aid

• No interview, minimum grade point average or essay required

• Complete application online or mail in a hard copy

• To apply: www.detroitcollegepromise.com

For the full article, see Chastity Pratt Dawsey, "Scholarship effort dreams big for Detroit", Detroit Free Press, August 14, 2011.