Rutgers Future Scholars

A select number of middle school students have been tapped for mentoring, enrichment and support from Rutgers University. If they keep their grades up they can get a tuition free college education.

From yesterday's Inquirer ("Rutgers program brightens youths' future:

The students have been selected by their schools and the university to be the first Rutgers Future Scholars. Starting this summer and going through their high school years, they will receive enrichment and support. If they keep their grades up and maintain 90 percent attendance, they will get guidance, tutoring, mentoring and test preparation. There will be programs for their parents, as well.

If the students graduate from high school with a 2.5 grade-point average or better, they will be in line for a Rutgers college education tuition-free.

Of the 200 students chosen each year 50 will be from Camden.

Rutgers also has a Q&A about the program. It's purpose is given as:

As the state’s premier public university, Rutgers is committed to making higher education accessible to New Jersey students and to enrolling a student body that reflects the diversity of the state. The university also has a long history of educating a large percentage of students who are the first in their families to obtain a college degree. The Rutgers Future Scholars Program is being undertaken now to continue and enrich these traditions by building an early path to higher education for young students. According to President McCormick, “Rutgers has an imperative to make a difference in the world” through programs such as this.