LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A scholarship program available for Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) students is sticking around for a few years thanks to millions in funding and donations.

Evolve502 announced Wednesday that its scholarship for eligible JCPS seniors has been fully funded through the Class of 2026, meaning this school year’s eighth grade students can apply during their senior year of high school.

The nonprofit said it secured more than $20 million in donor support for scholarships, including a $5 million donation by the C.E. and S. Foundation.

“Today’s announcement marks a major milestone in our fundraising efforts, meeting the Challenge from C. E. and S., and allows us to make the promise of free tuition to our first class of middle school students," said Evolve502 Executive Director Marland Cole. "We’re truly creating a college-going culture for our students.”

The Evolve502 scholarship allows eligible JCPS students to begin postsecondary studies tuition-free at any Kentucky Community and Technical College or Simmons College of Kentucky, to pursue an associate degree or career credential, or take 60 hours of college credit.

It isn't a merit-based scholarship – students receive the scholarship by meeting the eligibility requirements and completing required steps outlined here. To apply, students have to be Kentucky residents, attend a JCPS school since at least ninth grade and graduate on time or earn a GED within a year of their original graduation date.

Tuition and fees are covered after federal and state financial aid is applied.

Students from households earning less than $40,000 annually are also eligible for opportunity grants of $1,000 per semester to help with non-tuition related costs of attending college such as books, housing, technology and transportation, officials said.

Recent contributors to Evolve502 include the James Graham Brown Foundation, Louisville Urban League, Jo H. Whittenberg Scholarship Fund at the Community Foundation of Louisville, the Sutherland Foundation and Louisville Metro Government.

“The promise scholarship and opportunity grants are the culmination of years of building strong partners across government, education, business, community organizations and more to address educational attainment in our city so we can build the pool of educated workers needed to attract and retain businesses in our city. Metro Government is honored to have committed $3 million to help Evolve502 reach its goal,” Mayor Greg Fischer said in a statement. “Thank you to the entire Evolve502 team, Dr. Marty Pollio and his team at Jefferson County Public Schools, Mary Gwen Wheeler, Mary Nixon, Audwin Helton, Alice Houston, the James Graham Brown Foundation, the Metro Council and the countless generous donors who have contributed to this goal. We’ve answered tomorrow’s call with today’s announcement.”