Qualifying students might be eligible for ‘free’ tuition at Harper College.

Robert McCoppin reports for the Chicago Tribune:

Harper College announces free tuition scholarships

When Ken Ender was in college, he was initially a C-minus student who was more interested in track than school. Eventually, he said he realized how important school was to get what he wanted out of life, and he ended up earning a doctorate.

A new program at Harper College, in northwest suburban Palatine where Ender is the school’s president, is aimed at such “scrappy C” students who may not have top grades but excel in the workplace because they work hard.

“Everyone doesn’t mature at the same time,” Ender said. “But if you show grit and determination, that’s the kind of student we want to attract and retain and nurture.”

Harper officials on Monday plan to announce the Promise Scholarship program to let those students earn a two-year degree without paying a penny of the tuition — if they meet specific criteria.

Beginning in high school and continuing through college, participants will have to earn their scholarships by keeping decent grades, attending classes full time and performing community service.

The proposal is similar but more stringent than a national program proposed in January by President Barack Obama, who called for free community college for qualified students. That plan is seen as less likely to become reality, since it would probably require support from Obama’s Republican opponents in Congress.