Wallin Education Partners and Austin High School have announced a new scholarship program for students graduating from Austin High School from low- or middle-income families, marking the first time in its 25-year history that Wallin Education Partners has expanded its comprehensive college completion program outside of the Twin Cities.

“We are excited to be working with a new high school and community partners to collaborate in efforts to make college success possible for the many wonderful students in Austin” said Susan Basil King, executive director of Wallin Education Partners.

Working closely with high school leadership, including AHS Principal Andrea Malo and Superintendent David Krenz, the program will launch this month with six, multi-year scholarships for students entering college in the fall of 2018.

To participate, students must attend a four-year college in Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota or Wisconsin or one of the historically black colleges and universities throughout the country. The scholarship includes financial aid paid to the college as well as comprehensive advising and support services throughout college. The approach has proven to be highly effective with over 90 percent of students completing their undergraduate degree in six years, officials said.

Officials said the program is possible because of a generous grant from Jeff and LeeAnn Ettinger, active members of the Austin business and civic community for many years. Jeff Ettinger is the retired CEO of Hormel Foods Corp.

“Austin Public Schools is grateful to Jeff and LeeAnn both for their generosity and for taking the initiative to help create this partnership with Wallin Education Partners. It is truly an honor to work together to provide future opportunities for our students,” Krenz said.