PHOENIX — The city of Peoria announced Wednesday that dozens of students were offered a scholarship to support their educational goals.

The PeoriaAZ Promise scholarship program offered 53 students $37,649 in financial aid for the fall 2022 semester, and the application for the next semester is approaching its deadline.

Students can apply for the spring 2023 scholarship through Oct. 31.

“Fifty-three Peoria students will now have the opportunity to get one step closer to achieving their goals and aspirations through higher education,” Mayor Cathy Carlat said.

Funding for the program came after the Peoria City Council approved setting aside a portion of the American Rescue Plan Act dollars in February.

The program was then approved through a community partnership between Glendale Community College and Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation, which is administering the program.

“For communities to continue to grow and prosper, families need to have consistent and affordable access to quality post-secondary education,” Sherie Steele, Peoria’s family and youth services manager, said.

“The PeoriaAZ Promise Promise program was developed to bridge the gap for Peoria families who are paying for college by supplementing federal financial aid, paving the way for students to gain the knowledge, skills and training needed to prepare them for the jobs of tomorrow.”

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