In about a decade, Iowa State University will be inundated with 400 to 500 Des Moines public school graduates on full rides.

On Jan. 13, President Steven Leath has officially promised elementary students in two Des Moines public schools scholarships to Iowa State University.

All students attending King Elementary School and Moulton Extended Learning Center will have the opportunity to earn a scholarship in order pursue a degree through a program dubbed ISU 4U Promise.

Leath announced the plan at an assembly on Jan. 13 with the Des Moines Public School District, which was first set in motion three years ago.

Iowa Representative Ako Abdul-Samad proposed the idea to Leath as a way to assist the Moulton and King students when Leath first became president of the university. Abdul Samad pushed for these schools since they were in his district and saw a need there.

“Abdul-Samad approached Dr. Leath when he first became president at Capitol Hill, while meeting with legislatures,” said Tom Hill, senior vice-president of student affairs. “He had the proposal that King and Moulton would partner with Iowa State to provide assistance to the schools. Leath had us take that and develop a program, which we did.”

Hill said the term is a long-term one and will apply to future King and Moulton students.

In order to receive the awards, the students must meet behavioral and attendance requirements through their elementary and middle school years. Students must stay above a 95 percent attendance rate and keep a good behavioral record without any major disciplinary infractions.

Once they reach high school, they must to meet these requirements, as well as show proficiency on their ACT test scores.

Throughout high school, the students are required to enroll in coursework that meets ISU admissions requirements. The students are also required to graduate from Des Moines public high schools.

The award is also based on the number of years a student attended a Des Moines public school. A student who has only attended one year of school will receive 20 percent. The rate increases 20 percent for each year of attendance. Students will be given full tuition, if he or she attended kindergarten through fifth grade.

“They are minority-serving schools, where they have difficulty getting parents involved and the kids aren’t always getting the support to get to college,” Hill said. “There’s also a tendency for the kids not staying in the school and bouncing around Des Moines. If they stay, it might help stabilize some of those kids, as far as the educational process is concerned.”

Bradley Paul, the dean of students at King Elementary School, said there are about 375 students who are eligible for the award at King.

Paul said this opportunity is given to students who often face many hurdles concerning a higher education.

“Cost of tuition is definitely a barrier for a lot of them,” Paul said. “A lot come from families where they haven’t had someone who’s earned a college degree. It’s not something that’s at the forefront of their minds.”

Paul said the schools also have a high mobility rate, with a lot of students moving in and out of classes each year. The award will help encourage families to stay in one place.

King and Moulton both reside in Des Moines’ inner city area, and the students are much more diverse than other public schools in the area.

“We’re very heavy in poverty in our neighborhood,” said Andrew Wade, the dean of students at Moulton. “We have so many different cultures and languages spoken in our school. So we’re very diverse, both socially and economically.”

Wade said the environment of the students makes it difficult for them to even consider college as a possibility.

“It’s opening up a door for them to have the same opportunities as other kids in our community,” Wade said.

ISU 4U Promise will not only provide opportunity to fund higher education, but improve the schools overall.

“In addition, we will have student teachers and faculty members from the school of education involved in the Moulton and King schools,” Hill said. “We will have teachers there to give instruction and additional support.”

About $2 million will be needed every year to support these students. The university’s main role is to fund the money, which will be done by private fundraising.

“We’re gearing up,” Hill said. “We’ve got seven years from now to do fundraising and get that money. We feel really confident we’ll be able to do that.”

Hill said the award only funds a four-year tuition and not the other fees associated with attending college full-time.

In order for this program to be approved, several departments collaborate to ensure success, which include the Student Affairs Office, the Extension Office and ISU’s School of Education.

ISU 4U Promise is collaborating with Extension to work with the parents in order to earn GEDs or go back to college.

Paul said the school administration hopes it will help motivate students and help make college a real possibility for the students.

After the announcement on Jan. 13, brochures were sent out to the families of the students informing them of the award.

“The students are trying to figure out what it means for them, since it’s so far away for them,” Wade said. “I think talking about college already is getting them to think about a future for themselves.”

Paul said several parents have come to King’s administration about the program.

“The reception of the program has been major,” Paul said. “There’s been a lot of excitement and questions, but mostly the parents are feeling pretty grateful right now.”

Parents are not the only ones who are looking forward to the results of this award.

Wade said the opportunity to extend learning and go to college while getting it paid for is a big deal.

“We’re excited for this program,” Paul said. “We’re excited for what it means for the kids and their future. We’re going to continue to work hard to help them continue to succeed to get them where they want to be.”