Columbus is forging ahead with an ambitious plan to make college more accessible. The Columbus Promise, which provides free college at Columbus State Community College (CSCC) to graduates of Columbus City Schools, enters its next phase with significant funding and a shared vision of educational equity. City officials, private partners, and educational leaders have announced a campaign that furthers these efforts, committing to a sum already approaching the $25 million funding goal for phase two of the program.
Launched in 2021, The Columbus Promise has more than doubled the number of Columbus City Schools graduates enrolling in CSCC. The first phase saw an average yearly enrolment jump from 313 in 2021 to 858 students in 2024. According to the Columbus City Schools announcement, this program has aided students who represent the diverse demographics of Columbus, with many coming from low-income families and being the first in their line to attend college. Notably, 42 Promise Scholars have graduated with an associate degree, and another 120 have completed a certificate program.
The program's wraparound services extend beyond footing the bill for tuition and fees by also offering additional academic and career support. The private sector, including companies like Installed Building Products and the Cardinal Health Foundation, has shown significant support, with lead donations totaling $5.5 million. Jerome Revish, SVP, Chief Technology Officer at Cardinal Health, extolled the program's virtues, claiming, "This program is a testament of our community's commitment to empowering students to create a more promising future." As per Columbus City Schools.
Despite challenges like national FAFSA delays, the program set a new enrolment record with 790 students in the fall of 2024. Dr. David Harrison, President at CSCC, told Columbus City Schools that the program creates transformational gains for students, their families, and the community. The success indicators are encouraging; term-to-term persistence rates for Promise Scholars have increased by 15 percent from the 2021 pre-Promise control group to the 2024 cohort.
The next phase intends to cover costs for the initial three cohorts and will fully fund three more cohorts through 2027. The program's continued success, as highlighted by leaders like Columbus City Council President Shannon G. Hardin, underscores the shared goal of including everyone in the region's growth. "The Columbus Promise is how everyone gets a piece of our prosperity," Hardin said in a statement obtained by Columbus City Schools, reflecting a sentiment that access to education is a cornerstone for communal progress and inclusion.
