LeBron James is giving back to his hometown of Akron, and the dollar figure on his commitment is staggering.
The Cavaliers superstar has teamed with the University of Akron to give four-year scholarships to any child who completes his “I Promise” campaign.
The annual tuition is $9,500, so it’s a $38,000 commitment to each student who qualifies. There are currently 1,100 kids in the program, and 1,200 more are expected to be added in the next four years, according to the Akron Beacon Journal.
Quick math puts the total for 2,300 kids at $38,000 each at just over $87 million.
“It’s the reason I do what I do,” James told reporters while announcing the program Thursday at an event for students at Cedar Point Amusement Park. “These students have big dreams, and I’m happy to do everything I can to help them get there. They’re going to have to earn it, but I’m excited to see what these kids can accomplish knowing that college is in their futures.”
The criteria for the scholarship are still to be determined, but the students will be expected to reach certain grade point averages and graduate from an Akron public high school. The LeBron James Family Foundation is going to work with the university over the next five years to raise the money needed for the inaugural class, entering in 2021.
“If you are one of LeBron’s kids,” UA President Scott Scarborough said, “we want to tell you you have a college scholarship waiting for you at the University of Akron when you graduate from high school.”