Investing in Kids (INK!) is accepting applications for the Take Stock in Children (TSIC) St. Johns County scholarship and mentoring program. Current eighth- and ninth-grade public school students and their families who meet the program criteria have until Saturday, March 25, to apply. This year, INK! has 35 scholarship opportunities for qualifying eighth- and ninth-graders.
The Take Stock in Children program is income-restricted, focusing on students from low-income families. The program prepares students for success beyond high school by pairing them with a volunteer mentor, supporting academic success with college and career coaching and creating the opportunity to earn a scholarship to attend post-secondary school. The Take Stock in Children program is unique to the State of Florida and is entering its 28th year.
Students accepted into the program and who meet the academic, attendance and behavior standards while working with a volunteer mentor throughout their high school career will earn a two-year Florida Prepaid state college tuition scholarship equal to tuition cost for 60 credit hours at high school graduation. Students can apply online at apply.ink-stjohns.org or download and submit a paper application at https://tinyurl.com/44fcnrjk.
“Students are selected for TSIC when they are in the eighth and ninth grades in St. Johns County public schools,” said Jim Wheeler, TSIC St. Johns County program coordinator. “Upon acceptance into the program, students sign a contract to maintain a minimum 2.5 grade point average, continue good behavior and attendance, and remain drug and crime free. The program is the only public-private partnership of its kind in the U.S. Trained and supported mentors facilitate a variety of TSIC development and enrichment experiences, provide navigational support around school-to-work transitions and safeguard against adversity in-school and out of school.”
Since 1998, INK! has served students in the Take Stock in Children St. Johns County program. And since 2007, more than 96% of TSIC St. Johns students have enrolled in a post-secondary institution in the fall semester after high school graduation.
For more information, contact Jim Wheeler at 904-547-7121 or email James.Wheeler@stjohns.k12.fl.us.
