The tool that helped Smiths family pay off student loans in college is the subject of a new PBS documentary.
The “Hillsborough County Schools Tool” is a school tool that allowed the Smiths to get an education in their hometown, where they were raised.
The tool was introduced in 2004.
Smiths family members say the tool has allowed them to pay off their student loans.
“It helped us be successful in our own way,” said Smith, now 25.
“I’m still working to repay that debt because that’s the only way we can do it.
You just have to pay it off, and it’s not just me that’s paying it off.”
The tool, which was created in 2004, was designed to help low-income students to pay for college, but many teachers say it is a tool that’s used to help wealthier students.
A PBS documentary about the tool titled “HILLSCOMB” will air on PBS on Sunday, Feb. 14 at 11 p.m.
Eastern.
The program, which features interviews with the school district’s senior leadership, is called “School Tool.”
The PBS documentary will be available on the PBS website at www.pbs.org/schooltool for five days.
PBS NewsHour airs at 11 a.m., Eastern time, on PBS stations nationwide.
