ADVERTISEMENT

    Hundreds of CCS Students Apply for Columbus Promise

    Nearly 1,000 Columbus City Schools students have already applied for the Columbus Promise. The program offers tuition-free education at Columbus State Community College for graduating seniors to pursue an associate’s degree or another workforce credential. 

    ADVERTISEMENT

    “The only way we will achieve our full potential as a city is if everyone shares in our collective success, particularly our young people, who deserve each and every opportunity to succeed in and out of the classroom,” said Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther. “The Columbus Promise is a terrific example of this aspiration in action, and I am so excited to see the program press forward with great momentum and enthusiasm from across the community.”

    Funded through a public-private partnership, Columbus Promise leaders and partners have made significant progress during phase one of the initiative. Of the $9.5 million investment needed to support CCS seniors from the classes of 2022, 2023 and 2024, 96% of the funding is secured. The City of Columbus and Columbus State pledged the first $5 million toward the program. Additionally, philanthropic and private sector contributors raised just over $4 million over the last six months, leaving $395,000 for phase one to be fully funded.

    “Removing cost concerns for students and families is a game-changer but ensuring student success requires more,” said Columbus State President David Harrison.

    Columbus State plans to work with multiple partners to develop a “learn and earn” program that pairs interested Columbus Promise Scholars with part-time job positions and career-focused paid internship opportunities. 

    With up to six semesters covered, the program will also permit part-time students and offer $500 each semester to cover the cost of books and transportation.

    Since the initiative launched in November, 1,278 CCS students have completed the FAFSA — showing a 43% increase over last year’s submissions of 891. Filling out the FAFSA is one part of the application for the Columbus Promise, which also requires students to fill out an application for the program and Columbus State, and qualify for graduation. Of the roughly 1,000 students that have applied for the Columbus Promise, about 70% have met the full requirements.

    “The numbers we are seeing for FAFSA submissions and Columbus Promise applications reflect the enthusiasm around this wonderful opportunity for our students,” said CCS Superintendent Dr. Talisa Dixon. 

    With over 700 Promise-ready applications, the program is on track to exceed its goal of 425 students in the first cohort. Students will be supported by dedicated advisors helping Columbus Promise Scholars complete their degree, and get a job after graduation.

    “This first class is critical to testing the program’s design because our hope is to expand it,” said Council President Shannon G. Hardin. “I cannot thank our partners enough for the hard work to get this first group on the path to certificates, degrees and a career.”

    Area employers from Nationwide, OSU Wexner Medical Center and Mount Carmel Health Systems to Columbia Gas and IGS Energy have shown support and praise for the Columbus Promise program. 

    “The Columbus Promise will help cultivate the strong and talented workforce required by a growing region,” said Kenny McDonald, president and CEO of the Columbus partnership. “The promise is the Columbus way in action. It’s another example of leaders coming together across sectors to create a more inclusive economy and future for Columbus.”

    Applications for the Columbus Promise will reopen this month and close on August 15. 

    For more information, visit cbuspromise.com

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Subscribe

    More to Explore:

    Housing Planned for Key Corner Across From Columbus State Campus

    Columbus State Community College and Woda Cooper Companies announced...

    New Hire Will Lead Columbus State’s Real Estate Efforts Downtown

    Columbus State Community College announced today the hiring of...

    Columbus Youth Foundation Honors 88 Students From Columbus City Schools

    On Tuesday evening at Huntington Park, 88 students from...
    Katiana Carmon
    Katiana Carmonhttps://columbusunderground.com
    Katiana is a former journalist for Columbus Underground and The Metropreneur. She is a 2019 graduate from the Ohio Media School. She covered civics, arts, small business and entrepreneurial news, along with local events.
    ADVERTISEMENT