LeBron James unveiled the I PROMISE program, his plan to provide college tuition for 1,100 students at Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky, Ohio on Thursday, Aug. 13. The LeBron James Family Foundation (LJFF) is teaming up with University of Akron (UA) to fundraise the costs of tuition and general fees over the next five years.
James and Scott Scarborough, the President of UA spoke to more than 5,000 students about the I PROMISE program on Thursday at LJFF's annual celebration. Scarborough told students that they have a college scholarship waiting for them at UA once they graduate from high school.
"These students have big dreams, and I'm happy to do everything I can to help them get there," said James to ESPN. "They're going to have to earn it, but I'm excited to see what these kids can accomplish knowing that college is in their futures."
I PROMISE will provide a four-year scholarship at UA to qualifying students. The scholarship is estimated to be worth $38,000. The students must maintain a certain grade point average, fulfill community service obligations, have good attendance, and fulfill standard testing requirements. 1,100 students currently qualify to receive a free ride to college.
They plan on adding 1,200 more students in the next few years. The first batch of students will graduate from high school in the Akron public school system in 2021. UA renamed its education department the LeBron James Family Foundation College of Education.
James grew up in the city of Akron in a single parent home. He never went to college. The Cleveland Cavaliers MVP shared his personal insights as a child "growing up in the inner city." James said that many students "don't really think past high school," not because they do not want to attend college, but because they are financially unable to afford it.
