P-C picked for pilot program

By MATTHEW REZAB
Jefferson Herald staff

Earn $25 for an A grade in geometry? How about $100 for completing four years of Spanish?

High school students — and not just the kids with parents ready to dish out the cash — now have an opportunity to earn “micro scholarships” for academic excellence and extracurricular participation.

The University of Iowa announced a partnership with Raise.me aimed at encouraging students to excel. The pilot program allows students to earn up to $1,200 in scholarship money to be accumulated in high school and cashed in at U of I, five other private colleges in Iowa and more than 100 colleges and universities nationwide. Students at participating high schools can visit the Raise.me webpage to sign up and start earning scholarship money.

A single school in each Iowa county was chosen for the pilot program based on the percentage of students using free-and-reduced lunch. Area schools chosen include Paton-Churdan and Coon Rapids-Bayard.

“I think it’s a really ingenious idea,” P-C Principal Annie Smith said. “I love the idea behind it and I’d love for it to catch on at other schools.”

The pilot program is set to run for the next four years before being evaluated for possible statewide implementation.

Students currently in high school are able to retroactively earn money for extracurriculars and grades. For instance, if a current senior played basketball two years ago as a sophomore, he or she would still earn the $25.

Brent Gage, U of I associate vice president for enrollment management, said he hopes the program can eventually expand.

“It is our hope that these micro-scholarships make a difference in student behavior and that after an evaluation period with feedback from schools and counselors we can expand the program statewide,” Gage said in a press release.

Tom Rocklin, U of I vice president of student life, told students at Cedar Rapids Jefferson on March 2 that the initiative is designed to encourage and improve college readiness for high school students across Iowa.

Courtney Walter, a counselor at Audubon High School, said the information is still relatively new to her students, but she’s seen some seniors “perk up” at it. She said the U of I program is unique compared with other Iowa colleges.

“Some students have already signed up, but what is unique about (The University of) Iowa is they stack their scholarships, most other schools consider it part of the merit awards,” Walter said.

Walter advises “two or three” students who eventually choose U of I each year.

Iowa State University will not be participating in the program.

“We have examined the program and believe it has some good features,” John McCarroll, ISU executive director of University Relations said. “However, as we looked at our strategies for recruiting students and providing financial aid, we decided it would not be a good fit.”

Smith said college is expensive and the cost can be a barrier even if a student works hard and participates in school activities.

“I think it can’t hurt and I think it’s a great program for students,” Smith said. “I’m really excited that we were chosen and we can give this opportunity to our kids.”