A new program provides the opportunity for all Hartford public students to get a college scholarship.
Supt. Christina Kishimoto unveiled details about "Hartford Promise" on Tuesday morning during the annual state of the schools address.
Students who attend a four-year college will be eligible for a $5,000 per year scholarship if they maintain a B average in high school, have a good attendance record and are residents of Hartford.
Students who attend a two-year college will have a $2,500 scholarship for the time they attend a two-year school.
The program will launch with the class or 2016.
"I'll have a good education ... and I know I won't have a bad job or anything and my family will know I'm doing good," Kawan Briester, an eighth grader, said.
There is an extra incentive for students who pursue a teaching career. The program offers a fifth year of funding for any student who purses a master's degree in teaching or education, Kishimoto said.
The fund-raising goal is $12 million to offer scholarships to students through the graduating class of 2023.
The Travelers Companies, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, the former CEO of The Hartford, and MetroHartford Alliance have pledged to help raise the funds.
Hartford school officials said the program is similar to, but not modeled after the New Haven Promise program, which gives students in new haven schools financial aid for college.
