HOT, HIP & HAPPENING : Cash-for-Grades Plan Can Ease Tuition Costs

CLEVELAND--The Cleveland public schools, in cooperation with area businesses and local banks, have recently begun a scholarship program intended to help students pay for college.

Clarence Mixin, executive director of the Cleveland Scholarship Fund, explained that “students will receive $40 for each A grade achieved in their class. B grades will receive $30, and C grades will be worth $20. The money will be held in escrow and will be awarded to students when they enter an accredited college or vocational school.”

Mixin added that students’ grades in only five disciplines--history, science, math, English and foreign language--will be eligible for funding.

The total amount of money a student has earned in high school will be divided into four parts and one part will be given to the chosen college each year for four years, Mixin said.

Jerome Crittendon, principal of Lincoln West High School in Cleveland, said he thinks the scholarship fund is very worthwhile. “The kids are all excited and they have something to look forward to when they graduate,” he said.

Vince Barra, principal of Lakewood High School in Lakewood, Ohio (a Cleveland suburb), said he is all for the program. “I think any principal in the country would accept the program as long as it is beneficial to the student,” he said.

Mixin said some of the businesses involved in the program are Standard Oil, and two manufacturing corporations--Eason and TRW.

--Youth News Service

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