During the fall, nine academically promising 8th graders learned that college will be in REACH when they graduate from high school. Each of the students will receive a $10,000 scholarship to attend a Georgia college or university after high school graduation. The REACH (Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen) Georgia Scholarship Program is a needs-based mentoring and scholarship program providing promising students the support to graduate from high school and achieve postsecondary success.
The district’s first “class” of REACH Scholars includes Jerrilyn De La Rosa of Berkmar MS, Takeyra Brown of Grace Snell MS, Melany Pelayo-Medina of Jordan MS, Lewis Le of Lilburn MS, Emmanuel Adebesin of Moore MS, Arelie Barriga of Radloff MS, Kidus Tadessa of Shiloh MS, Jonathan Bell of Snellville MS, and Kendall Reaves of Sweetwater MS.
REACH Georgia is administered by the Georgia Student Finance Authority (GSFA), a companion student finance entity of the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC). GSFC is the state agency that administers the HOPE Scholarship and Grant Program as well as other state- and lottery-funded financial aid programs. GSFC also manages the career and college preparation website, GAfutures.org, and provides educational services such as free financial aid consultation and FAFSA completion assistance to high schools and postsecondary institutions across the state.
Currently in 134 school systems throughout the state, REACH Georgia’s goal is to be in all 180 Georgia school systems and support more than 3,000 students throughout Georgia.
REACH Scholars are paired with a mentor who models positive behavior and provides the student with knowledge, advice, guidance, and support related to education and beyond. Each scholar also is supported by an academic coach who monitors the student’s progress, helping to develop education and career plans and identifying academic and social supports.
In this GCPS TV video, learn more about the program and our REACH Scholars.