The University of West Alabama is planning to launch a program that would give future teachers scholarships and other assistance if they pledge to teach in a Black Belt community for at least three years.
The Tuscaloosa News reports that the first round of scholarships for the Black Belt Teaching Corps will be awarded in the upcoming spring semester.
Dean Jan Miller says the Julia S. Tutwiler College of Education at the University of West Alabama will award 10 scholarships each year to education majors.
Each chosen student will receive a partial scholarship of $2,500 per semester. The program is funded by an earmarked allocation of $250,000 from the Alabama Legislature.
University officials hope the students' experiences in the Black Belt region will prompt them to continue working there after graduation.