Major Pittsburgh Student Scholarship Program Ending

PITTSBURGH, PA — The Pittsburgh Promise will end its scholarship program for Pittsburgh Public Schools students in 2028.

Promise executive director Saleen Ghubril informed parents in the district that students who currently are in eighth grade would be the last to receive the financial assistance.

“Our board of directors and staff are thoroughly, strategically, and compassionately working to craft The Pittsburgh Promise’s post-2028 role and work,” Ghubril wrote.

The Pittsburgh Promise was but the conceived by former Pittsburgh Public Schools Superintendent Mark Roosevelt and former Mayor Luke Ravenstahl in 2006. But there wasn't enough money to begin awarding scholarships until 2008, when UPMC committed to donating $100 million over 10 years.

The program has been kept alive since then through various corporate donations and foundation grants.

Here's how the program works : Every student who starts on day one of 9th grade and meets eligibility criteria will be eligible for up to $5,000 per year ($20,000 maximum) to be used within five years of post-secondary education.

According to the Promise website, the program has awarded $170 million in scholarships to 11,435 students.