The Kent School District has been recognized as one of the top performing districts in the state for signing up 79 percent of eligible students for the College Bound Scholarship, a state program that provides an early commitment of financial aid to eligible students who sign up in middle school and fulfill the scholarship pledge.

Cedar Heights, Kent Mountain View Academy, Mattson, Meridian and Mill Creek middle schools each received gold star awards from the Washington State Achievement Council for exceeding the state sign-up rate of 72 percent. Ninety-four percent of eligible students at Mill Creek signed-up, a more than 41 percent increase from last year.

“Some people think middle school students aren’t thinking about college or that it’s too early. But it’s not and they definitely are,” said KSD College and Career Readiness manager Elisa Aguayo Muñoz, in a district news release. “Our students rely on us to help them through the process and connect them with resources.”

The district thanked its staff, families, and community for supporting its goal of preparing all students to be college and career reading by raising the academic and social learning bar and closing the gaps to student achievement and college completion.

“Every student that’s eligible for the College Bound Scholarship should sign-up,” Aguayo said. “Even if you don’t think you’ll go to college in Washington, it’s good to have as many plans and back-up plans as possible.”

What is the College Bound Scholarship?

In 2007 the Washington State Legislature established the College Bound Scholarship. This program was created to provide state financial aid to low-income students who may not consider college a possibility due to the cost. The scholarship covers tuition (at comparable public college rates), some fees, and a small book allowance.

Eligibility for the scholarship is a two-part process. Students in grades 7 or 8 whose family meets the income requirements must submit and complete an application by June 30 of the student’s eighth-grade year. Then students must meet the College Bound Pledge requirements and income-eligibility as determined by the student’s financial aid application (FAFSA or WASFA) their senior year of high school.