The Holland/Zeeland Promise began as a dream. A dream to allow all the young people of the region to graduate debt-free from college or technical schools. However, recognizing the lack of the kind of donor endowment which other Promise programs had, a group of business and community leaders came together to create The Holland/Zeeland Promise.

The Holland/Zeeland Promise provides a “last dollar” scholarship, supplementing any other grants and scholarships students might have received.  It is a “promise” to cover tuition, room and board and books not just for one year but for the length of time it takes to receive a college or technical degree.

To date, scholarships have ranged from $2,500 to over $15,000 according to a student’s need. Promise Scholarship applicants are encouraged to participate in and be nominated by staff of Hope College Trio’s Upward Bound Program, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Holland or Latin Americans United for Progress. Selection is based on a range of factors, including need, and the scholarships are renewable – which means that students must fulfill the requirements of the college they are attending, completing classes and maintaining good grade averages.