City Council on Monday cleared the way for a pilot Pathways scholarship proposed by Mayor Levar M. Stoney that would cover tuition and provide a monthly stipend to Richmond high school graduates attending Reynolds Community College.

The council authorized the Stoney administration to award $1.75 million of unexpended funds from the 2021-22 fiscal year that ended on June 30 to the nonprofit Great Aspirations Scholarship Program, which will distribute the funds in partnership with the city and Reynolds.

GRASP already works with students in city high schools on planning for college, and this would be an additional tool for the organization that has been helping students seek scholarships and prepare for college costs since its establishment in 1983 by the late Republican state Sen. Walter Stosch and educator Ray Gargiulo.

The purpose of the new scholarship program is to remove financial barriers for young people from income-challenged families to enroll in certificate and two-year programs that could lead to higher-paying jobs, the mayor has said.

Mayor Stoney has expressed hope that the one-time city contribution would be matched by major local corporations, such as Altria and Dominion, as well as area foundations to extend the life of the program.

The details of the scholarship initiative are still being worked out, the council was told prior to the vote. The goal is to have the program underway by the fall semester.

Dr. Terricita Sass, a Reynolds vice president, told council that the scholarship program would open the door to individu- als who might not have considered the college’s varied career development and training programs.