PITTSBURGH -- People in the Pittsburgh area have big hopes about the “Pittsburgh Promise'” -- but Channel 11 wanted to know if the program giving qualifying high school students money for college really delivers?

Channel 11 sent News reporter Andy Gastmeyer on the road to find out if a similar program in another city is reaping rewards or wasting money.

Like Pittsburgh, Kalamazoo, Mich. is still working its way back after the demise of major manufacturing years ago.

But because of the commitment of millions of dollars to what's called the “Kalamazoo Promise,” a well-educated workforce is now the best foundation for creating a strong economy.

While he's always wanted to go to college, Terrell Travier, a senior at Kalamazoo Central High, has long wrestled with how he could afford it until the Kalamazoo Promise began in 2006.

“I can go to college and don't have to worry about expenses or anything like that,” said Travier.

Erika Johnson, also a senior, is from a family that can't afford college but is now on her way thanks to the Kalamazoo Promise. She's been accepted at Western Michigan University.

Officials said the direct result of the program in Kalamazoo is 20 percent better attendance, a 10 percent increase in minority graduation and an increase of roughly 1,300 students in the Kalamazoo School District.

Homebuilder Greg Dehann said in a 10-year period he never built a home in the Kalamazoo School District. But in 2006, days after the Kalamazoo Promise announcement, things changed. He's committed to more than 600 homes over the next five years to meet the needs of families moving because of the Promise Program.

As far as tracking success inside the classroom, school superintendent Michael Rice said Pittsburgh students should approach it with caution.

“It doesn't come free. Freedom doesn't come without responsibility. Neither does the Promise,” said Rice.

The Kalamazoo Promise is made possible through the contributions of seven anonymous donors. The students Channel 11 talked to would like to personally thank them for their generosity.