The Douglas County School System (DCSS) participates in Governor Nathan Deal’s needs-based scholarship program entitled Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen (REACH). Following the qualification, application and selection process, students will be paired with a mentor beginning in eighth grade. The students will continue in the program through high school graduation. REACH graduates will be eligible for up to $10,000 in college scholarships, to a Georgia Hope Eligible College or University.
Student qualification applications are available on each middle school website. Eligibility requirements are:
Current 7th grader in the Douglas County School System
Qualify for free or reduced lunch
Has legal status in the United States
Has a minimum grade of C or better in all courses
Has not missed more than four days of school, unless medically documented Does not have any discipline suspensions or major infractions
Deadline for Phase I applications are April 4, 2025 and can be obtained by contacting Ms. Stephanie Butler at Chestnut Log Middle School. Please call 770-651-5180 or email stephanie.butler@dcssga.org
The REACH Scholarship is funded at the state level by private dollars contributed to a 501(c)3 tax-exempt foundation that is housed at the Georgia Student Finance Commission, which also administers the HOPE Scholarship.