Karuna Henderson has two strong reasons to support Birmingham Promise. Her children, Antonia and Machiah Henderson, are benefiting from the program, which offers tuition assistance to graduates of Birmingham City Schools attending public colleges and universities in Alabama.

Machiah, a senior at UAB majoring in Education, and Antonia, a sophomore at UAB studying Civil Engineering, both graduated from Ramsay IB High School. “Birmingham Promise made a tremendous difference,” Mrs. Henderson said. “My son didn’t have any additional scholarships. Birmingham Promise helped bridge the financial gap and eased the burden of college expenses, allowing him to focus on his studies and fully enjoy his college experience.”

For her daughter, who had other scholarships to cover her college costs, the impact was somewhat different. Still, Mrs. Henderson noted, “having Birmingham Promise also enhanced her college experience.”

Mrs. Henderson appreciates that Birmingham Promise, unlike many traditional scholarships, does not impose restrictive criteria that could disqualify students based on grades, ACT scores, or other factors. It also provides access to higher education for students from varied socioeconomic backgrounds.

As a graduate of Birmingham City Schools, UAB, and Alabama A&M, Mrs. Henderson has seen the escalating cost of college and understands the financial pressures faced by families of all income levels. “The greatest challenge is often securing funds for college, and obtaining those funds has become increasingly difficult,” she said. “This program is a financial game changer for many students, so if you are a Birmingham City Schools student or parent, I strongly encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity.”