Even after all he’s accomplished on, and off, the court, LeBron James keeps finding ways to outdo himself.
All 193 students, who are in their junior year of high school, that were a part of James’ inaugural I Promise School in Akron, Ohio, will be receiving free tuition to Kent State University. The partnership with the university also includes one free year of room and board.
The students found out when they were on a recent visit to the university’s campus.
“Kent State loves what we’re doing. We’ve always had a great relationship with Kent State and Akron (University),” said James after the Los Angeles Lakers’ Wednesday night game against the Denver Nuggets.
“They love what we’ve been doing at the IPS (I Promise School). We love the university as well. It’s always mutual when we’re able to come together for something like that. To be able to give free tuition to my inaugural kids at my (school) – it’s crazy. Free tuition for four years. They get to decide if they want to get free tuition (at Kent State) or go to Akron U. We have so many options. I just know that so many kids in my community just don’t have many options. So for me to be in a position where I could give these kids an option to decide what they want to do with their future, it’s probably the best thing I’ve ever done.”
The students can enroll for the 2021-2022 academic year. For eligibility purposes, students must be admitted to the school, fill out required financial aid forms, and complete a certain number of community service hours each semester. And to remain eligible, students need to remain in good academic standing, take part in a required number of community service or volunteer hours, and complete a minimum number of credit hours per year.
“We have already seen the impressive results that the I PROMISE Network is having on its participating students,” Interim Senior Vice President and Provost Melody Tankersley said. “We are so pleased that Kent State will become the next step in the educational journey of these amazing young people, and so happy that we can start them on their way to exciting careers and lives full of inspiration.”
“We are so pleased to take our partnership with the LeBron James Family Foundation to this next level and welcome these students fully into the Kent State family,” said Kent State President Todd Diacon. “Kent State looks forward to the time when our campus is teeming with I Promise students.”
