First class of Star Scholarship students prepare to start college

CHICAGO (WLS) -- More than 700 Chicago students are about to start college using the city's new Star Scholarships, which provide free classes and books for Chicago Public School students attending the City Colleges.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel spoke to the students during an event at Malcolm X College Monday night.

Scholarship recipients must have a 3.0 GPA and an ACT score of 17 or higher in English and math.

The mayor calls the program a win-win-win.

"Parents win, it's free," Emanuel says. "Kids win because they have a plan post-high school. And the city wins because we offer every company the best talented and educated workforce in America."

According to Emanuel, students who go onto a 4-year college can save $40,000 on the cost of a Bachelor's degree.