A Long Beach program awards scholarships despite budget cuts

Despite budget pressures, the Long Beach College Promise said it will continue to give scholarships and college support to the local community for the third year in a row.

The joint venture between the Long Beach Unified School District, Long Beach City College and California State University Long Beach provides college support beginning in fourth grade and provides scholarships to students who go to local universities. Since its start in 2007, nearly three out of four LBUSD students are pursuing college degrees, and half of those students are enrolled at CSULB or LBCC.

The College Promise program said it is committed to providing local public school students with greater opportunities to pursue a college education.

Long Beach Community College president Eloy Ortiz Oakley described the program’s goal of educating the students as a direct investment to the community. 

“It’s vital to this economy, vital to the California economy that we educate our own and give them the opportunity to thrive in our own economy and build our economy,” explained Oakley.

And despite budget cuts across the board, the College Promise continues to thrive, thanks to members of the community.

“We continue to look at what we can do locally to raise money to help us continue to make the commitments we are making,” said Oakley.

Last year’s graduating seniors received $51 million in scholarships, according to LBUSD superintendent Christopher Steinhauser.

“It’s unbelievable. When we hit $30 million we thought that was high and then $40 million,” Steinhauser said. “What is happening here is very unique. It is not happening at other places. We have the best community college, best university, and best community.”

Fifth grader Arthur Hoskins spoke before the crowd about his excitement about participating in the program which allowed his class to tour CSULB.

“I actually felt like a college student. I felt smart and my dream of being a cartoon artist doesn’t seem so complicated anymore. I can do this, I am doing this,” Hoskins said.

In addition to the annual progress reports, the Long Beach College Promise awarded 27 eighth graders scholarships between $50-$250.

“I feel proud because I get a scholarship and have an opportunity to go to college,” said eighth grader, Alejandra Arroyo, one of this year scholarship recipients.