LeBron James foundation to pay over 1,000 college scholarships for Akron kids

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NBA superstar LeBron James announced Thursday that his foundation has partnered with the University of Akron and JPMorgan Chase to ensure every child who finishes his I Promise program will receive a full scholarship.

According to ESPN, there are 1,100 at-risk children from Akron Public Schools currently enrolled in The LeBron James Family Foundation program.

If the current 7th graders enrolled in the program meet to-be-determined grade, attendance and community service requirements throughout high school, James’ foundation will pay their tuition. The first recipients of the scholarships will enter college in 2021. A year’s tuition at the University of Akron is currently about $9,500.

James told ESPN:

I think it’s probably one of the best things I’ve ever been apart of. This is very special to me. As a kid growing up in the inner city and as an African American kid, you don’t really think past high school because it’s not possible or your family can’t support you. For us to be able to do something like this … it means so much.

The university also announced they will be renaming its College of Education after James’ foundation.