Detroit Promise program expands to include 4 years of free college for students

University of Michigan-Dearborn student, Porscha Anderson wants to encourage more students to become part of Detroit's Promise

"I am very happy for my first year to be debt free and loan free," she said.

A 2016 Detroit Promise recipient, Anderson joined state and local leaders to announce a pilot to expand Detroit Promise Scholarship Program from providing two years of free college tuition to now cover four years of education.

"If you graduate from school in Detroit and live in city you've got four years of school paid for, if you worked really hard at your studies, you've got two years paid for," Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said. "You have the opportunity."

But students must meet requirements

"If you get above a 3.0 GPA and a 21 or better on ACT, you can go directly to a four-year school and have education paid for," Duggan said.

Michigan's governor says expanding this program is key to Detroit's comeback.

"It's important that we give opportunities to the people of Detroit," said Gov. Rick Snyder. "Our young people and that's what today is all about, how do we continue to improve opportunities."

In fact some school leaders call Detroit Promise - a Detroit Advantage

"It is an advantage it will pay off for years and years to come," said Alycia Meriweather, interim superintendent, Detroit Public Schools.

Registration is now open for high school seniors who will be graduating in summer 2017. CLICK HERE.