HANCOCK — Hancock Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Steve Patchin and Finlandia University President Rev. Philip Johnson have officially announced the seven year extension of the Hancock Promise (formerly Finlandia Promise) between the school district and university. “The Promise” allows for Hancock Central High School graduates to attend Finlandia University at a tuition cost of up to only $2500.00 per school year.

“I’m really excited that we are able to work here in Hancock with a university that’s so close to us,” Patchin stated. “This Hancock Promise has been a real boom for our students. We’ve got anywhere from 18 to 26 students taking advantage of it every year…and many of them have gone on to graduate and do great things.”

The original agreement included Finlandia’s use of the old Hancock High School building and Hancock using the university’s football field. The extension has additional benefits for each school such as Finlandia’s use of Hancock’s old bus garage and the allowance of Hancock graduates to take a year off between high school and college without losing the benefit.

“You can’t beat a win, win,win! Finlandia, Hancock Public Schools, and the U.P. as a whole all come out ahead on this extension,” Johnson said. “From the moment I started to work with Superintendent Patchin there has been continuous goodwill expressed and delivered. The Hancock Promise extends to families a value in private higher education that is very hard to beat.”  

The original “Promise” started back in 2009.