For 20 years, Kalamazoo Public Schools has offered its graduates four years of free college

But free tuition only goes so far — high school graduation rates lag the state average

While college enrollment rates exceed the state average, Kalamazoo officials say more targeted supports are needed

Sayani Jones will pay nothing to study finance at Grand Valley State University, thanks to the Kalamazoo Promise , an anonymously funded scholarship program that offers up to four free years of college to every graduate of the city’s public schools .

“I have a great opportunity,” said Jones, 17, who recently graduated from Loy Norrix High in Kalamazoo.

“Just to know that I can worry more about the studies and about my career plan and actually doing college rather than having to focus on being

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