A coalition of public and private entities, including the City of Columbus, Columbus State Community College (CSCC), Columbus City Schools (CCS), I Know I Can (IKIC), and the Columbus Partnership, have recently announced a campaign to fund the next phase of The Columbus Promise. This program, which aims to provide Columbus City Schools graduates with tuition-free college education at CSCC, is entering its second phase with three years already under its belt.
Since the inception of The Columbus Promise, college access and success rates have seen a significant uptick among CCS graduates. According to a report published on Monday by The City of Columbus, in 2021, before The Promise began, an average of 313 CCS students per year enrolled at CSCC. That number more than doubled to 858 in the year 2024. Reflecting the program's significant impact, nearly 80% of Promise Scholars are Pell-eligible students from low-income families, while over 60% identify as Black or Latino.
The newly launched campaign seeks to continue the upward trajectory of The Columbus Promise. An independent third-party evaluator, The W.E. Upjohn Institute, alongside input from student-centered interviews and feedback, endorses the program's effectiveness and continuation. Phase Two's funding target is set at $25 million, with $10 million pledged from the City of Columbus and $5.5 million from lead private donors such as Installed Building Products, Edwards Companies, and others. The funds are earmarked for tuition, fees, and student stipends, with the remaining portion allocated for academic readiness and career exposure programs.
Showing consistent growth, Columbus City Schools Superintendent and CEO Dr. Angela Chapman noted in a statement obtained by The City of Columbus that "The Columbus Promise is creating transformational gains for our students, their families, and our entire community." She further highlighted the doubling of college enrollment rates as a testament to the program's success. Phase Two of the initiative looks set to build on these accomplishments by fully funding additional cohorts through to the fall of 2027, expected to benefit at least another 2,250 students.
Backing The Columbus Promise is not only an educational commitment but also a pledge to the region's economic vitality. Columbus City Council President Shannon G. Hardin told The City of Columbus, “We’re bringing good jobs to Central Ohio, but unless kids raised in Columbus neighborhoods can get the education to fill them, then our region’s growth will leave longtime residents and families behind. The Columbus Promise is how everyone gets a piece of our prosperity.” Such statements underscore the campaign's broader objectives of inclusivity and equitable access to opportunities.
