BACK TO SCHOOL: Orientation time for South Seattle College ’13th Year Promise’ students

(WSB photo)

Though the fall quarter at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) doesn’t start until September 24th (one week from Monday), many of this year’s 13th Year Promise students are on campus today as part of their 3-day Summer Bridge orientation. Though the count isn’t final until classes start, the school tells us they have about 100 students enrolled in the 13th Year program for the coming year. This is the first time that West Seattle High School graduates have been eligible, joining their counterparts from three other schools including Chief Sealth International HS. Mayor Durkan wants to expand the program, to all of the Seattle Colleges, with all students from Seattle public high schools potentially eligible for two years of free college. Funding for this will be part of a levy on the November ballot.

10 Replies to "BACK TO SCHOOL: Orientation time for South Seattle College '13th Year Promise' students"

  • Plf September 13, 2018 (4:36 pm)

    Huh increase in proptery taxes, are there not Pelli grants available for students, once again is higher education a city responsibility to fund, especially in light of other options and programs available if we are required to do this through the democratic voting process, lets pay after they complete , their education.  I think every student should pay something  if you are asking the public to pay the bill, your commitment is different when you are accountable for some aspect,  there is nothing that is free, someone pays for it.  It is an investment in themselves that in the long run makes it a more valuable learning opportunity

    • Weaver September 14, 2018 (8:00 am)

      Plf, you feel educating young people is a waste of money? Interesting, and very short sighted 

      • Plf September 14, 2018 (9:03 am)

        Not at all, I actually have a masters degree, and see value in helping, so your comment is misguided at best, education is truly the way to level many of life’s playing fieldthere is value in asking anyone to make some investment themselves, research has validated thatmany of us  made the financial investment to move ahead in our education and it does make the experience more valuable in life lessonsalso  are you not aware that there are programs low income students can apply for, I would hope that would be required prior to being eligible for the program, if approved  by voters 

  • Overtaxed September 14, 2018 (12:52 pm)

    Actually, the 13th year program (1 year of free college tuition) at South Seattle College  has been and continues to be financed through private donations from local businesses and individuals (primarily in West Seattle) and an annual dinner auction.  The program that Mayor Durkan  and Bruce Harrell are proposing covers all the Seattle public high schools and two years of “free” college tuition and rather than through private donations, the Mayor and her Board wants to just tax everyone for the additional funding.

  • Catherine September 14, 2018 (1:21 pm)

    The 13th Year Promise Scholarship was started 10 years ago by the South Seattle College Foundation Board (of which I am Chair). This scholarship is 100% funded with Private donations.  We started offering the scholarships to Cleveland HS, then we were able to bring it to Chief Sealth International HS and Rainer Beach HS.  The Foundation Board finished an 18 month fundraising campaign last March 2018, we raised $10 million in private donations, so we could bring the scholarship program to West Seattle HS. We are happy the Mayor sees the merit ofsuch a scholarship program and wants to bring this type of program city wide. Her challenge will be funding. She will need private donations  together with the levy. She rolled this into the K-12 initiative to be voted on in November. Doing so might be a bit of risk. 

    • Plf September 14, 2018 (2:03 pm)

      So you have raised 10 million dollars which is fabulous. How much will the tax increase to homeowners be?  How much is the average distribution to a student? How many apply for other federal funding?  What has your success rate been i.e. Outcomes students who complete 2 years, transfer to 4 year schools or secure jobs in there area of concentration, will you continue private fundraising or will transfer funding to the levy dollars, how  many students have received assistance, average amount of grant, what is the percentage of administrative costs to administer the program and who is that (a city employee?)again conceptually I understand the value of education however if you are asking for money from tax burden home owners the need for transparency and details are needed and appreciated to understand and possibly support the levy

      • Catherine September 15, 2018 (10:12 am)

        Our board is not directly involved not with the levy and what the Mayor is doing. My point is the current 13th Year Scholarship program at South Seattle College is funded 100% by private donations. This is quite an accomplishment for the local West Seattle community. Something to be very proud of. To educate yourself about the levy coming up and how you would like to vote I would suggest going to the Mayor’s website where she has details outlined as well as reading the voter’s pamphlet that will come out prior to the November vote. 

  • Plf September 14, 2018 (1:53 pm)

    Can you clarify if students also apply for federal financial aide and these dollars fill in the gap, I support the concept of education I just struggle with the funding mechanism versus programs already in place for all low income students.  Are there other requirements other than low income, i.e. Gpa etc

    • WSB September 14, 2018 (1:57 pm)

      All explained on the project website, which is linked above. The page with the most specifics:
      http://www.southseattle.edu/13th-year/student-information.aspx

      • Plf September 14, 2018 (2:07 pm)

        Thank you, I encourage folks to read this carefully, appears no gpa requirement and no financial need  is required, still unclear of the outcomes to dateim voting no

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