More colleges commit to Georgia's new scholarship

Thirteen more Georgia colleges have pledged matching funds to students who receive REACH, the state's new needs-based scholarship, Gov. Nathan Deal's office announced Friday.

The new schools include Agnes Scott College, Georgia Southern University, Mercer University and the Savannah College of Art Design.

Georgia State University, Georgia Tech and the University of Georgia had already promised to match the program's award of annual tuition scholarships of $2,500 for up to four years.

REACH (Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen) is a privately funded scholarship targeting students from low-income homes. Middle school students will be paired with mentors and receive other support to help them graduate from high school. If the students maintain good grades and stay out of trouble, they will receive the scholarship money.

The first scholarships will be awarded in fall 2017.

The program will start small, with just 25 students from Bulloch, Douglas and Rabun counties. Deal said the program will expand as the state receives more donations. AT&T donated $250,000 to support the first scholars.

About the Author

Laura Diamond

Primary runoff draws more poll workers than voters in some counties

The low turnout Public Service Commission primary led to an even lower turnout in the runoff. Here's how election staff have spent their time at polls.

New Georgia election audit targets voters registered at P.O. boxes and businesses

Georgia election officials are trying to find inaccurate voter registrations of people registered at P.O. boxes or business addresses.

Georgia on track to end the year with another budget surplus

For the fifth straight year, Georgia is set to end the fiscal year with a budget surplus.

The Latest

Credit: BRAVO

Bravo TV star enters Georgia House race

1h ago

Georgia on track to end the year with another budget surplus

OPINION

A eulogy for the GOP deficit hawk, which died a public death last week

Featured

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

New Georgia election audit targets voters registered at P.O. boxes and businesses

Georgia election officials are trying to find inaccurate voter registrations of people registered at P.O. boxes or business addresses.

Rent an apartment, or just a bedroom, at this new Atlanta skyscraper

Amid rising costs and changing lifestyles, Society Atlanta offers a co-living model designed to shake up traditional apartments.

DISPATCH

In Georgia’s melon mecca, watermelon wizards’ ears are sweetly attuned

In the heart of Georgia's watermelon country, everyone has a trick to tell if a melon is ripe. One way is the sound a melon makes when it is thumped. Or better, patted.