Local foundation offers dual‑enrollment scholarships; district to design application and outreach

The Susquehanna Township School District discussed a proposed partnership with the Hannah Foundation on Aug. 4 that would fund dual‑enrollment scholarships for high school students. District administrators described a pilot that would fund up to $1,200 per learner for 10 students in the first year and said the administration will design an application and selection process before any awards are made. “They make up to $1,200 per learner,” a district presenter said during the meeting. The program would be open to high school students in grades 11 and 12, administrators said, and selected students would use the funds for college courses offered through partner institutions such as Penn West and HACC. Course formats could be online, hybrid or in person; lengths vary by partner and may run six to eight weeks or follow a semester schedule. The district emphasized that the scholarship money is limited and that winning applicants will be chosen through an application and interview process that will include evaluation of financial need. Board members and administrators discussed outreach and eligibility. A district administrator said the Hannah Foundation’s funding would cover an initial cohort of 10 learners for the coming year and that the administration would push information to families via the district’s campus messaging system and the district website. “This will be one of those things that we push out, so everybody’s informed,” the presenter said. Administrators said the district already runs dual‑enrollment and college partnership options and that the scholarship program is intended to remove cost barriers for students who otherwise could not afford college credits while in high school. They said guidance counselors and a new community‑liaison position will help identify eligible students and assist with the application process. No formal vote was taken; board members were told the item was for discussion and that the administration would return with details on applications, selection criteria and a public rollout schedule. Administrators projected the earliest scholarship‑funded courses could begin in the fall semester or in an accelerated session in the “backside of fall” or early winter, depending on partner schedules. The board asked administrators to present a landing page and clear outreach plan so families unfamiliar with the program can find information easily. Administrators agreed to prepare those materials and to provide updates to the board at a later meeting.