The Saginaw Promise is an exciting initiative, created by legislation signed into law by Governor Jennifer Granholm in early 2009. It is designed to serve as a catalyst for economic development and to support local efforts to promise a college education for all students who reside within the boundaries of the school district. Saginaw was designated a "Promise Zone" in April of 2009. Every student who lives within the Saginaw School District (including the City of Saginaw, Zilwaukee and Kochville) would have the first two years of his or her tuition at any Michigan public college or university paid for by the Promise Zone.