Debt-free start through Promise @ San Jac Scholarship
Matthew Malone may have stressed about studying for finals but not about paying for
the classes themselves, thanks to the Promise @ San Jac Scholarship.
Covering tuition and up to $600 in books each semester, the scholarship is available to every high school senior graduating from an in-district high school or living inside San Jacinto College’s taxing district.
Promise @ San Jac made a difference for the entire Malone family. Matthew completed his criminal justice associate degree debt-free in 2022 and transferred to Sam Houston State University. And his parents, Dawn and Darryl, who both work at San Jac, applied his college fund to his university expenses instead.
“Matthew will be able to start his career and post-college life debt-free, which is huge,” Dawn said.
Matthew and Dawn share why the scholarship mattered to their family and how it could impact yours:
Q: How did you learn about the Promise @ San Jac Scholarship?
MM: During one of my Dobie High School classes, I remember being led to our library and instructed how to fill out the application. Everyone in my class knew about it and was excited to fill out the forms and apply.
DM: Dobie was one of the first handful of high schools that were the pilot for this opportunity, and it just came up the year Matthew was a senior. We encouraged him to take advantage of this opportunity for a debt-free associate degree.
Q: Why did you apply for the scholarship and start at San Jac?
MM: At the time, the main reason I applied was the prospect of debt-free college. Though I was a naive high school student, I was smart enough to know college is an expensive prospect. When it came time to register and pay each semester, it was reassuring to know it would be covered — no stress at all.
Q: What advice would you give current high school seniors and their parents who are considering this scholarship?
DM: Parents, ask questions. Don’t be afraid to ask early and often how to navigate the
application, financial, aid/scholarship, and advising processes. And as often as you
can, give your daughter or son the opportunity to make decisions and mistakes on their
own. These “sideways” moments teach important lessons.
Q: What’s next for you, Matthew?
MM: For as long as I can remember, I've felt a call to a life of service, which led me to pursuing degrees in criminal justice first at San Jac and now at SHSU. I haven't quite decided where and how I want to work, but I do plan on possibly working as a peace officer for a local police department. I know the South Belt/Pasadena/Clear Lake area well, and this will always be home.
Q: Anything else you want to add?
MM: Because of Promise, I attained my dream of attending SHSU to continue my studies. I've made great friends here, and I’m getting a great education. Promise and San Jac were the catalyst for that because the transfer process was smooth, and the Promise Scholarship meant no debt carried from San Jac.
DM: San Jac Chancellor Dr. Brenda Hellyer has pointed out that the Promise Scholarship is a two-way street. Students “promise” to go to school full time and make adequate academic progress, and the scholarship “promises” to support the student financially all the way through their associate degree or certificate. I’m so glad Matthew made good on his promise, and San Jac Promise absolutely made good on theirs!
