One day after being sworn into office, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan signed an executive order Wednesday creating the Seattle Promise College Tuition program.
With the order, Durkan hopes to pave the way for more Seattle public high school graduates to continue their education.
“The best answer and solution is right here in the communities that we have, and that is mostly the kids right here,” Durkan said. “As we invent the changing economy in Seattle, I want to make sure our school system gets to be connected as possible so that we have the next generation of leaders.”
The city says the Seattle Promise college program will remove financial barriers preventing Seattle public high school graduates from earning a degree, credential, or certificate.
The order expands the current 13th Year Promise Scholarship for students at South Seattle College, offering students tuition for a second year at the college.
Building off that scholarship, the program will also offer two years of courses (90 credits) for Seattle public high school graduates. This portion of the plan will be developed during the first 100 days of Durkan’s administration.
“There is no better investment we can make as a city than in the education of our young people,” Durkan said.
