LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Recent Jefferson County Public Schools graduates have just a few more days to apply for a scholarship that would pay for two years of community college. 

The deadline to apply for the Evolve 502 Scholarship is Friday, July 12.

Introduced in 2021, the scholarship covers the cost of 60 credit hours or two years’ worth of classes at any Kentucky Community and Technical College. This includes Jefferson Community and Technical College and Simmons College, which are both in Louisville.

“This opportunity is a game-changer, and it’s a game-changer because it provides a debt-free pathway to college,” said Kennina Porter, Scholarship and Student Success Director for Evolve 502.

JCPS graduates need to have spent their entire high school career in the district to be eligible. They must also complete their federal financial aid application and enroll in one of the partnering schools. 

Porter says this year they’ve had around 1,900 students apply, which is more than double the amount of scholarships they awarded last year.

“We were able to raise enough funds to provide a scholarship for all JCPS students from current seniors to those that are in eighth grade,” Porter said.

Evolve 502 has raised nearly $22 million through community partnerships to fund scholarships, with plans to eventually raise $50 million. 

For Central High School counselor Ashley Poore, Evolve 502 has helped to show students that going to college is a reality.

“Students may want to go to college but they feel that there is no way they can afford it and so I think that this has absolutely allowed students that maybe would not have attended college or even thought about it to give it a try,” Poore said.

For the class of 2023, applications open on Oct. 1, the same day they can begin their FAFSA application. 

More information on how to apply can be found here. Questions about Evolve 502 can be sent by email to scholarships@evolve502.org.