From Einstein to Kalamazoo

Background: In a move that's both revolutionary and refreshingly altruistic, the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx has announced it will make tuition free in perpetuity for all its students.

Thanks to a staggering $1 billion endowment, future generations of physicians can breathe a sigh of relief – at least financially.

The donor is Ruth Gottesman, a former teacher at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Her late husband, David, was a successful investor in Warren Buffett's company, Berkshire Hathaway, and left her a large amount of stock. Gottesman said she had no idea she would inherit so much, and simply remembers her husband's advice to "do whatever you think is right with it."

Deja Vu: If free college sounds enticing, consider moving to Kalamazoo, Michigan. The Kalamazoo Promise was launched in 2005 and pays 100% of tuition and mandatory fees at any of Michigan's public colleges or universities for students who attended Kalamazoo Public Schools

The program, which was initially funded by anonymous donors, has two main goals. One, to make higher education more accessible to students regardless of their financial background. And two, to improve Kalamazoo's economic, social, and educational landscape by encouraging families to move into the district.

As a pioneering program, the Kalamazoo Promise has garnered national attention and inspired similar initiatives across the country.

Number: Starting with the KPS Class of 2006, The Promise has paid about $200 million in college tuition for more than 7,600 students.

Furthermore, enrollment in Kalamazoo Public Schools has increased.

Fact: The Kalamazoo Promise is a "first-dollar" scholarship that is awarded before any other source of funding is considered. This means that students are able to access additional financial aid, such as federal Pell Grants or institutional scholarships, and add them to their Kalamazoo Promise funding.

List: Other Ways to Shave a Little Off Those Pesky College Expenses

• Throw Footballs: Participants aged 18-24 can submit videos explaining how they would make an impact with their degree for a chance to win up to $100,000 in tuition. Finalists compete by throwing footballs into oversized Dr. Pepper cans at college football championship games.

• Play Minecraft: $2,000 to one applicant who best writes about how Minecraft can positively influence one’s education and career development. The scholarship is offered by Apex Hosting, a Minecraft server provider dedicated to supporting both new and experienced server administrators.

• Be Tall: The Tall Clubs International Scholarship awards up to $1,000 for women who are at least 5’10,” and men who are at least 6’2.” The scholarship is offered by Tall Clubs International, an organization that “promotes causes that benefit tall people.”

• Wear Duct Tape: This contest is offered by Duck Brand Duct Tape and awards between $500 and $10,000 to the ten applicants who submit the most impressive prom dresses and tuxedo designs, made entirely from duct tape

• Be Named Zolp: The Wm. Zolp Scholarship is an endowed scholarship available to pay toward tuition to any Catholic student by the last name of Zolp who attends Loyola University Chicago. A copy of a birth certificate and a baptismal or confirmation certificate confirming the last name of Zolp is required.

Recommended Reading: The Upjohn Institute tracks several usage and success measures of The Kalamazoo Promise. Dig in to the data here.

See some success stories from The Kalamazoo Promise.