We at Chargebacks911 are committed to giving back to our community. Even beyond our weekly Charity Challenge donations and other efforts, our main philanthropic focus is our continued support for the Paid for Grades program in Pinellas County schools.
What is Paid for Grades?
As outlined in a recent feature for Bay News 9, Paid for Grades is a not-for-profit effort founded by Chargebacks911 COO Monica Eaton in 2013. The program offers cash incentives to students as a reward for improving their academic performance.
We work with local schools to identify at-risk students and enroll them in the Paid for Grades program. Participating students are then paired with a tutor who works with the student over the course of the program semester. Those who show improvement in their grades and reading scores, and who also maintain excellent attendance, receive a $500 cash prize. There are also incentives offered to the tutors and schools, making the program a “win” for everyone involved!
Why Paid for Grades Works
You may wonder why we choose to pay students for their academic performance, rather than offer a more conventional scholarship program. The fact is that many of these students face environmental and economic challenges in their day-to-day life. They may not otherwise be driven to reach their full potential. With Paid for Grades, though, we provide an incentive that can help level the playing field and give students the drive to succeed.
As Chargebacks911 representative Scott Pinsker explains in the piece, Paid for Grades offer an invaluable opportunity for students who need a little extra help. “There aren’t a lot of opportunities for kids who have struggled, but are working hard to turn their lives around,” he says. “It can be kind of a blind spot in academics.”
Students are drawn to the program by the prospect of the cash reward. But, when they see that they’re truly capable of achieving great things, that realization becomes its own reward—one that pays dividends throughout students’ lives.
We’re pleased to announce more than 500 students from across Pinellas County are enrolled in the Paid for Grades program for the 2020-21 school year. And, as the program continues to grow, we’re looking forward to carrying this momentum on for many years to come!
