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India Armstrong, Kaden Ferrell, Sydney Ford, Carmen Freeman, and Ja’Mia Gresham from Anita White Carson Middle School and Marcus Rhodes from Lake Oconee Academy make up the Greene County School System’s seventh class of REACH scholars
The Greene County School System (GCSS) has named six 8th grade students to this year’s class of REACH Georgia Scholarship recipients. India Armstrong, Kaden Ferrell, Sydney Ford, Carmen Freeman, and Ja’Mia Gresham from Anita White Carson Middle School and Marcus Rhodes from Lake Oconee Academy make up the Greene County School System’s seventh class of REACH scholars since the school system joined the program in 2017.
The program was started under the guidance and encouragement of GCSS REACH Coordinator Mrs.
Beth Thomas and Mr. Tom Kelly, the co-founder with his wife Kathy of the Greensboro Dreamers.
REACH scholars are selected in 8th grade via a rigorous application and interview process and must demonstrate an interest in higher education and a verified financial need. By signing their REACH scholarship commitment papers, the scholars agree to maintain good grades and attendance, abstain from drugs and alcohol, and meet with their academic coaches and mentors regularly throughout high school.
Once enrolled in one of the 29 public four-year colleges, 22 technical colleges, or 35 private four-year colleges that participate in Georgia’s REACH program, REACH students must continue to meet attendance and GPA requirements to maintain their scholarships.
The funding for each GCSS REACH scholarship stems from private donations by Greene County individuals, companies, and organizations. Each REACH scholarship is sponsored with an initial contribution of $1,000 from community donations, which the state matches with $9,000. Some colleges provide additional financial support to REACH Scholars. When this funding is combined with Georgia’s HOPE scholarship and Federal Pell grants, each REACH scholar could be eligible to receive more than $60,000 to finance a four-year degree at a Georgia college.
Today, working with communities across the state that are focused on student-centered learning, REACH Georgia serves all 180 school systems across Georgia and more than 4,300 Scholars, committing over $36 million in scholarships.