1190 Guilford County Schools’ graduates attended college in 2020-21 with Say Yes Guilford scholarship support, an impact of more than $8.5 million. The number represents students from every GCS high school graduating between 2016 and 2020.
In the 2020-21 academic year Say Yes Guilford awarded $710,325 to GCS graduates attending North Carolina public colleges and universities:
- $581,525 in Tuition Awards to 287 students
- $128,800 in Opportunity Grants to 411 students
Additionally, Say Yes Guilford Scholars received $7,731,331 in awards to partner private colleges and universities:
- $589,184 in Say Yes Choice Grants to 130 students
- $7,142,147 in Say Yes Awards to 252 students (18 of 100 compact schools reporting)
Thanks to a partnership with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill another 110 GCS graduates received $142,432.
88% of the 2019-20 freshman class of Say Yes Guilford scholars continued their education in the 2020-21 academic year, compared to the national average of 76%. Wendy Poteat, Say Yes Guilford CEO says, “This persistence rate shows us how important supports are to students continuing their education especially with the additional challenges they faced this year.” Poteat says Say Yes Guilford is a catalyst for growing Guilford County’s skilled workforce. “Scholarship dollars reduce the burden on students, so they can focus on their career goals.
20-21 Scholarship Impact Infographic with legend
Since its inception in 2015, Say Yes Guilford has awarded over 11 million to GCS graduates, and our partnership with more than 100 private colleges and universities provided another $25.9 million for a total impact of over $37 million. Say Yes Guilford registration for rising GCS seniors opens on October 1, 2021.
Say Yes Guilford is committed to providing access to support services and scholarships designed to prepare Guilford County Schools’ students for success in college, career and life.