Monday, February 6, 2012

ATLANTA (AP) -- Gov. Nathan Deal has announced a need-based scholarship to be privately funded and aimed at grooming Georgia middle school students for college.

AT&T joined the governor at Georgia Tech to announce the company will contribute $250,000 to the REACH Scholarship program.

Students who complete program requirements will receive a renewable yearly tuition scholarship of $2,500 to be used at any HOPE eligible institution. Georgia Tech is announcing it will match the $2,500 scholarship for REACH scholars who are accepted and enroll at the school.

Initially, 25 students from Bulloch, Douglas and Rabun counties will participate in the program, with additional counties to join later.

Students will have to meet certain guidelines, including getting mentors and signing a contract that they will stay out of trouble.

(Copyright 2012. Associated Press)