Teenager Earns College Tuition Before He Even Started By Selling Newspapers

Kevuntez King, 17, grew up in a single-parent home with his mother. Her influence helped pave the way to his success.

“She just taught me how to be independent like herself, and she just wanted me to go get it myself”.

So at the age of 12, when most kids are more concerned with video games or sleeping in, King started selling newspapers. He kept the job for five years with one goal in mind: earn enough money to pay for his college education.

King earned about $200 every Sunday while selling papers at a downtown Memphis intersection. And after five years of hard work, he has reached his goal.

King was a 4.0 student and active on three different sports teams: golf, bowling and baseball. And he was voted prom king.

When it came down to school, my mom didn’t have to come out of pocket to do anything or I didn’t have to take out any loans to go to school,” he told WHBQ.

Over 63% of middle-class students receive some type of assistance when going to college. For African Americans, that number is even higher.

He was accepted into Tennessee State University, and he has officially earned enough money to pay for his tuition in its entirety.

King shared a piece of advice for anyone who feels their dreams are impossible: “Make sure you surround yourself with people that’s trying to go up in life and not trying to bring you down. Just stay positive and always believe in yourself and push for it.”