Booker Promise is a commitment to prepare Booker High School students for the 21st century workforce without the burden of unmanageable college debt. A true tenent of the Program is to make a college education as universal, free and accessible as public high school.

More specifically, Booker Promise is a comprehensive college and career-readiness program designed to ensure that every Booker High School student has the skills and resources necessary to develop to their fullest potential.  Additionally, the Program guarantees scholarships to pay tuition and registration fees for a technical certificate or associate degree at a Florida public college or technical school for every eligible economically disadvantaged student who is at-risk of failing to graduate from high school.

Booker Promise Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation which is independent from Booker High School and the Sarasota County School District. Booker Promise Foundation is organized for the sole purpose of providing support and resources to assist Booker High School prepare its students for the 21st century workforce so they can pursue the American Dream without the burden of unmanageable college debt.

The goal of Booker Promise is for every Booker High School student to graduate college or technical school and become career ready with the skills and resources necessary to develop to their fullest potential. The Program aims to bridge the opportunity gap by removing the tuition barrier that prevents high school graduates from pursing a post-secondary education – whether it be by attending college or technical school – thereby boosting the population of workforce-ready young adults. The Program will also be the beginning of the end of generational poverty for an entire population of youth while creating a broad public understanding that college and technical training is an investment in the community’s future and a necessary continuation of K-12 education in the 21st century.

1. Booker Promise will provide scholarships to eligible students covering the cost of tuition and registration fees for an associate degree or technical certificate at a qualifying public Florida college or technical school.
2. Booker Promise will provide every student with the skills and support necessary to connect their strengths and interests with a personalized life plan for success. If the student’s plan includes college or technical training, a Booker Promise Scholarship may play a pivotal role in fulfilling that plan.
3. Booker Promise will provide comprehensive mentoring services, career and life planning guidance, academic and behavioral monitoring, college success counseling and individualized guidance. Many Booker Promise graduates will also receive post- secondary college support and coaching through strategic partnerships with local colleges and universities.
4. Booker Promise is an on-going commitment to the students to promote skill development which positively impacts academic achievement, motivating students to rise to the academic challenge, complete their high school education and successfully pursue post-secondary education and careers.

The evidence is overwhelming that investment in post-secondary education pays a big dividend – both for individuals and for society. According to the Brookings Institute, a college degree provides extensive benefits to students, including higher wages, better health and serves as a buffer against unemployment during economic downturns. Those with post-secondary degrees saw more steady employment through the Great Recession, and the vast majority of net jobs created during the economic recovery went to college-educated workers. The college earnings advantage also leads to greater economic activity, fueling prosperity at the local, regional and national levels. For instance, the average bachelor’s degree holder contributes $278,000 more to local economies than the average high school graduate through direct spending over the course of his or her lifetime; an associate degree holder contributes $81,000 more than a high school graduate.

1. Booker Promise will provide scholarships to eligible students covering the cost of tuition and registration fees for an associate degree or technical certificate at a qualifying public Florida college or technical school.
2. Provide every student with the skills and support necessary to connect their strengths and interests with a personalized life plan for success. If the student’s plan includes college or technical training, a Booker Promise Scholarship may play a pivotal role in fulfilling that plan.
3. Provide comprehensive mentoring services, career and life planning guidance, academic and behavioral monitoring, college success counseling and individualized guidance. Many Booker Promise graduates will also receive post-secondary college support and    coaching through strategic partnerships with local colleges and universities.
4. Provide an on-going commitment to the students to promote skill development which positively impacts academic achievement, motivating students to rise to the academic challenge, complete their high school education and successfully pursue post-secondary education and careers.

Once awarded, a student must maintain scholarship eligibility and continue to meet Program requirements throughout their high school and college or technical school years. Specifically, upon graduation from Booker High School students must:

1. Begin their post-secondary education the fall semester after graduation and be continuously enrolled full-time (minimum of 12 semester credits) at an approved Florida state public college, university or technical school;
2. Maintain satisfactory academic progress toward an associate degree or technical certificate;
3. Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 and supply evidence thereof during each semester;
4. Complete an annual online information form;
5. Remain drug, alcohol and crime free; and
6. Obtain an associate degree or technical certificate within three years of starting post- secondary education.

No. An unweighted cumulative high school GPA is used to determine qualification for a Booker Promise Scholarship.

When a student is out of compliance – and depending on the deficiency – the principal of Booker High School will meet with the student and his/her Parent(s)/Guardian(s) to craft a plan for positive outcomes. If after one semester the student is not in compliance, the student will be terminated from the Program and any scholarship awarded will be forfeited. Any violation of the Program’s “no drugs, alcohol and crime free” policies will result in the immediate revocation of any scholarship awarded.

Booker Promise students must remain drug, alcohol and crime free during their time at Booker High School as well as during their time receiving a Booker Promise Scholarship. To satisfy this requirement, once selected for the Booker Program students must not be convicted of, or adjudicated delinquent for any violation of chapter 893 Florida Statutes or any felony or first-degree misdemeanor as defined in §§775.08 and 775.081 Florida Statutes. Any violation of this policy will result in the immediate revocation of any scholarship awarded.

No, however, all scholarships awarded are contingent upon annual funding by the Florida legislature and the Stanley G. Tate Florida Prepaid College Foundation.

No. In order to qualify for a Booker Promise Scholarship, a student must be continuously enrolled as a Booker High School student starting before September 1st during the 9th grade and continuing through, uninterrupted, the 12th grade. The student must also successfully graduate from Booker High School.

No, however, in order to receive a Booker Promise Scholarship, you must be a US citizen (possess a birth certificate or certificate of naturalization) or a resident alien. If you wish to qualify for a scholarship, proof of status will be required no later than the start of the 10th grade. Please contact the College and Career Center or the Booker Promise Foundation by EMAIL or at 941-928-0567 if you are concerned about your status as there are possibly other options to satisfy this requirement.

No, however, in order to receive a Booker Promise Scholarship, you must be a US citizen (possess a birth certificate or certificate of naturalization) or a resident alien. If you wish to qualify for a scholarship, proof of status will be required no later than the start of the 10th grade. Please contact the College and Career Center or the Booker Promise Foundation by EMAIL or at 941-928-0567 if you are concerned about your status as there are possibly other options to satisfy this requirement.

No, however, in order to receive a Booker Promise Scholarship, you must possess a valid social security number. If you wish to qualify for a scholarship, proof will be required no later than the start of the 10th grade. Please contact the College and Career Center or the Booker Promise Foundation by EMAIL or at 941-928-0567 if you are concerned about how to obtain a social security number.

Yes, you must provide proof of Florida residency for the immediate twelve months prior to being awarded a Booker Promise Scholarship. There are multiple ways of proving residency and Booker High School College and Career Center advisors can help determine your options to meet this requirement.

No. The Booker Promise Scholarship helps pay for a two-year associate degree at a Florida state public college. Specifically, the scholarship will cover the cost of tuition, tuition differential fees, local fees such as athletic fees, activities and service fees, health fees and technology fees. The scholarship WILL NOT cover the cost of “campus fees” charged by a specific school which, for example, my include, but not be limited to, transportation fees, student facilities fees and lab fees. The scholarship also does not cover other cost such as books, room, board, parking and personal living expenses. The student’s FAFSA grant may cover most, if not all, of these expenses.

The scholarship WILL NOT cover the cost of “campus fees” charged by a specific school which, for example, my include, but not be limited to, transportation fees, student facilities fees and lab fees. The scholarship also does not cover other cost such as books, room, board, parking and personal living expenses. The student’s FAFSA grant may cover most, if not all, of these expenses.

Yes.

No, the Booker Promise Scholarship may only be used for tuition and most registration fees.

Study abroad programs qualify for Booker Promise Scholarship funding if the tuition and fees portion of the program is billed through the student’s college or university. All other terms and conditions of the scholarship will apply.

Dual enrollment classes provided through the Booker Promise Program are offered free of charge and will not be deducted from the value of your Booker Promise Scholarship?

Yes. The FAFSA is used to determine eligibility for federal and state aid, such as Pell Grants. This application provides access to the largest source of financial aid to pay for college and related expenses. Your financial aid can be used whether you are pursuing a degree, planning to transfer to a four-year college or are enrolled in an eligible technical program. Federal student financial aid can be used for expenses that are directly related to your education, such as tuition and fees, transportation, books, room and board. It can also help pay for items such as computers and child care.

Students must complete the FAFSA application during their senior year. Applying for federal student aid is free. Booker High School College and Career Center advisors can help you fully complete your FAFSA application in a timely manner.

Yes, students must diligently pursue all available student aid including federal, state and local scholarships as well as applicable college scholarships and financial assistance on a timely basis during the student’s junior and senior years. This will include submitting a timely and complete FAFSA.

Booker Promise Scholarships will be available to students whether or not they receive other merit or needs-based scholarships. If a Booker Promise scholar earns an additional scholarship, such as a Bright Futures scholarship, the student can still use the full value of the Booker Promise Scholarship. However, the Booker Promise Scholarship can only pay specific tuition and most registrations fees while many other scholarships may be used for other college expenses such as books, transportation or housing. Booker High School College and Career advisors can help determine the best way to utilize scholarship resources to maximize their total value.

Qualifying Booker Promise students wishing to pursue a college degree will be awarded a two-year scholarship to attend any Florida state public college, university or technical institute which is approved by the Stanley G. Tate Florida Prepaid College Foundation. Students are encouraged to consider Direct Admittance to University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee and New College through special arrangements available only to Booker High School graduates. Using the Booker Promise Scholarship at an eligible Florida university will substantially diminish the value of the scholarship as compared to an eligible Florida college. Booker High School College and Career Center advisors can help determine the best way to utilize scholarship resources to maximize their total value.

Yes, Booker Promise Scholarships can be used at any qualifying Florida public college, university or technical school. However, when using the scholarship outside of the Florida public college system, the value will be substantially diminished. Booker High School College and Career Center advisors can help determine the best way to utilize scholarship resources to maximize their total value.

No.

Typically, qualifying Booker Promise students wishing to pursue an industry certification program will be awarded a scholarship to attend the Suncoast Technical College. However, students who have exceled in the Booker Promise Program and are able to demonstrate a legitimate need – such as a specific field of study – may petition the Booker Promise Foundation for an exception allowing them to attend another Florida state technical school. Booker High School College and Career Center Advisors can help you determine whether attending another technical school is an option for you.

By special arrangement, a limited number of Booker Promise students, upon acceptance, may be able to attend The Ringling College of Art + Design.  Booker High School College and Career Center advisors can help determine whether this is a possibility.

Yes. Unless a waiver is granted, the scholarship must be completed within two years for those pursuing a technical/vocational certificate, within three years for those pursuing an associate degree and five years for anyone pursuing a bachelor’s degree. Under no circumstances may a waiver be granted beyond six years.

Any time spent in the military or engaging in a full-time religious or public service obligation extends the time available for using a Booker Promise Scholarship. Verification will need to be provided. However, even with a deferment, a Booker Promise Scholarship with automatically expire six years after graduating from high school.

Yes. To be eligible for a Booker Promise Scholarship, students must apply and submit all required documentation no later than November 1st of the 9th grade or upon enrollment at Booker High School during the 9th grade, whichever is later. Applications and/or documentation received after the deadline may not be accepted.

No, however, in order to qualify for a Booker Promise Scholarship, you must pursue a college degree or technical certification program at an approved college, university or technical school.

Booker Promise graduates who are receiving Booker Promise scholarship benefits are required to complete an on-line survey during December and June of each year. Failure to complete the survey on time will delay funding of your scholarship. Students will be ask to provide details on their last semester and plans for the upcoming semester, provide a copy of their most recent transcript and advise if their e-mail, phone number or mailing address have changed. This data will be used for, among other things, developing new programs, improving existing programs and outcome measurements.

A mentor is a caring, compassionate adult who chooses to devote their time to a young person, offering them support, guidance and encouragement. One of the key and proven success factors of the Booker Promise Program is the role of the mentor. They understand that the commitment of becoming a mentor can change a child’s life while helping them grow personally. Can you remember adults who paid attention to you; who believed in you; and who guided you during your childhood? These individuals served as mentors. Wouldn’t you like to have someone think of you as their life-changing, trusted mentor?

If you can donate ONE hour per week, you can change a life by helping a child build a solid foundation of values, establish goals, improve their academic and life skills, while developing their self-esteem and confidence.

Mentoring sessions range from 45-60 minutes and occur virtually or on-site at Booker High School. The days and times of mentoring sessions are arranged between the mentor and mentee depending on their individual schedules and classes. As a result, mentoring is convenient for both students and mentors.

Please CLICK HERE (take to mentoring page) to learn more about becoming a mentor.

The Booker Promise began with the 2019 class of ninth grade students (2019-2020 school year) and will continue with each incoming class of freshman students. It is anticipated that by 2024, through planned and methodical growth of the Foundation, students receiving Booker Promise Scholarships may apply to the Foundation during their second year of college for an additional two-year scholarship providing them with a full four-year scholarship leading to a Bachelor’s Degree at an eligible Florida state university. Planning is also underway to expand Booker Promise Scholarships to all eligible Booker High School students within the next four years.

As Booker Promise continues to grow, we rely more and more on support from our community. Every contribution, no matter how big or how small, will help create a secure future for a Booker student. CLICK HERE (donate now page) for more details on various ways to support the Booker Promise Foundation.

The Sarasota County School Board and Booker High School are strategic education partners of the Booker Promise Foundation and shall have no responsibility or liability for the operations of or scholarships awarded by the Booker Promise Foundation. In no event will the Sarasota County School Board and Booker High School be liable or responsible to the any student, parent, guardian or third party, for any type of direct, indirect, incidental, punitive or consequential damages even if advised of the possibility of such damages, whether arising under theory of contract, tort (including negligence), strict liability or otherwise. Neither the Sarasota County School Board nor Booker High School shall have any responsibility for the funding of any scholarships offered and/or awarded by the Booker Promise Foundation.

For additional information, please contact the Booker High School College and Career Center or the Booker Promise Foundation directly by EMAIL or at 941-928-0567.