Grand Rapids's Leading Local News: Weather, Traffic, Sports and more | Grand Rapids, Michigan | WZZM13.com

Lowell superintendent announces retirement after 14 years

Superintendent Greg Pratt said he planned on retiring at the end of June, but COVID-19 interrupted his plans.
Credit: Courtesy of Lowell Area Schools
Lowell Area Schools Superintendent Greg Pratt.

LOWELL, Mich. — Lowell Area Schools Superintendent Greg Pratt announced his retirement Tuesday, July 14.

According to a letter to staff, parents, and the community, Pratt explained that after 14 years, he would officially retire in August 2020. 

"I initially planned to retire at the end of June 2020, but COVID-19 interrupted my plans," the letter read. 

The decision comes with mixed emotions. 

Pratt said he looks forward to spending more time with his wife, who retired last year, and following his two sons as they move to college to seek degrees and play football. 

"At the same time, I will miss the relationships I have built with my larger, Lowell Area Schools family, doing a job I truly love," Pratt explained. 

Pratt was hired in the early spring of 2006.

RELATED VIDEO:

MORE on 13 ON YOUR SIDE:

Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now.

Have a news tip? Email news@13onyourside.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter. Subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Grand Rapids's Leading Local News: Weather, Traffic, Sports and more | Grand Rapids, Michigan | WZZM13.com

Ferris State launches tuition program for high-performing students with high financial need

Resources for the Launch program come from applying the Ferris Merit Grant, which the university had established several years ago.
Credit: Courtesy of Ferris State
Ferris State students seen walking on campus.

BIG RAPIDS, Mich. — Ferris State University has launched a tuition assistance program that will help students with high financial need meet the cost of their education. 

It's called Launch and it applies to students enrolling as freshmen for the Fall 2021 semesters. The students who qualify for Launch must be learning on the Big Rapids campus and attending college for the first time. 

Tuition would be paid in full for high-performing students with high financial needs. 

"The essence of the Launch program is that those students with at least a 3.0 grade-point average and an Expected Family Contribution of zero, as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), would receive this assistance for their undergraduate tuition," Melanie Mulder, the coordinator of Ferris’ Financial Aid Office, explained. "We have a grid that makes a specific calculation for each student, as it takes their Pell Grant award into consideration and the support the university also offers through the Woodbridge N. Ferris scholarship."

Mulder said resources for the Launch program come from applying the Ferris Merit Grant, which the university had established several years ago.

The university said the Launch program structure should serve students seeking their first Associate of Applied Science or Bachelor of Science degree. This is with full consideration of all grants, scholarships, tuition waivers and other financial assistance students have received.

Learn more about how it works here

RELATED VIDEO:

Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now.

Have a news tip? Email news@13onyourside.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter. Subscribe to our YouTube channel.