Say Yes Cleveland (SYC) is excited to announce that Allegheny College, in Meadville, PA, has agreed to join the coalition of private colleges and universities that participate in the Say Yes scholarship program. 

Diane Downing, Executive Director of Say Yes Cleveland, said: “Allegheny College is an historic, highly rated liberal arts institution, just a short drive from Cleveland. We are thrilled that our scholars now have this exceptional option available to them through our scholarship program, and we’re sure they will take full advantage it.” 

“Say Yes Cleveland and Allegheny share the goal of empowering young people through education and resulting careers,” said Allegheny College President Dr. Ron Cole. “We are proud to partner with Say Yes in providing Cleveland students the opportunity to pursue their dreams of postsecondary education.” 

Allegheny College signed an agreement in April to join the Say Yes to Education Chapter Alliance Higher Education Compact. The Compact is a group of more than 100 private colleges and universities across the country that have committed to raising the high school and college graduation rates of low-income and underrepresented students through participation in the Say Yes scholarship program.   

As part of this agreement, Allegheny College has agreed to offer a minimum of two, but up to five new Say Yes Scholarships each year to eligible applicants who gain admission from the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. For accepted applicants whose annual family household income is at or below $75,000, Allegheny College will provide a grant that is equivalent, at minimum, to the cost of full tuition and mandatory fees. For accepted applicants whose annual family household income is more than $75,000, Say Yes Cleveland will provide a Choice Grant of up to $5,000 per year that can be applied to tuition and mandatory fees.  

About Say Yes Cleveland 

Say Yes Cleveland is a local organization that provides two big things for Cleveland students: support services for students in CMSD and partner charter schools from PreK through graduation and college or career training tuition scholarships for all eligible scholars after graduation from a CMSD or partner charter high school. By emphasizing the necessity of support services from PreK through high school graduation, the Say Yes program aims to help students overcome the barriers that poverty often puts before them, so they can stay on track to success and be prepared to take the full advantage of the Say Yes scholarship waiting for them after high school graduation. Say Yes Cleveland was launched in 2019 by local convening organizations, the City of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD), Cleveland Foundation, College Now Greater Cleveland and United Way of Greater Cleveland. For more information, visit SayYesCleveland.org.