More Ga. universities to match REACH Scholarship | Education

(ATLANTA BUSINESS CHRONICLE) -- More Georgia colleges and universities have stepped up to match funds for the state's new needs-based REACH Scholarship program.

Georgia Southern University, Life University and 11 member campuses of the Georgia Independent College Association have joined Georgia Tech, the University of Georgia and Georgia State University in the pledge.

Agnes Scott College, Berry College, Covenant College, Mercer University, Piedmont College, Reinhardt University, Wesleyan College and Young Harris College have all agreed to double the REACH grant for students who choose their campuses.

Georgia Southern, Life University, Andrew College, Emmanuel College and Savannah College of Art and Design have promised to match the REACH Scholarship award. Georgia Southern University will support the REACH Scholarship by donating a portion of the proceeds it receives from its planned official university license plate.

Georgia announced the Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen Scholarship on February 6.

REACH Scholars will be selected in middle school and will sign a contract to maintain a certain grade point average; remain crime, drug and behavior-issue free; and meet with a volunteer mentor until they graduate from high school. Their parents or guardians will also sign a contract to support their students through their education.

Students who complete program requirements will receive a renewable yearly tuition scholarship of $2,500 to be used at any HOPE eligible institution.

Bulloch, Douglas and Rabun County school systems will be the first to pilot the REACH Scholarship.