Quick facts about the Centennial Scholars Program

by Adnan Alam

By Cronkite News Service

Here are some quick facts about the Centennial Scholars Program sought by former Gov. Janet Napolitano:

_ Origin: Proposed in Napolitano’s 2008 State of the State Address and intended to coincide with Arizona’s centennial in 2012.

_ Goal: Guarantee eight semesters of tuition at an Arizona public university to those who get good grades and stay out of trouble.

_ Legislation: Two bills in 2008 and one in 2009 attempted to the establish the program, but all three failed.

_ Private Funding: Napolitano asked the Arizona Board of Regents to seek private money for the program after the 2008 bills failed, but an ABOR spokeswoman said it’s unlikely to happen.