September 19, 2025 -- Columbus City Schools (CCS) students will now have the chance to earn a bachelor’s degree tuition-free at The Ohio State University (OSU), building on the success of the Columbus Promise program that launched three years ago. The expanded initiative, known as Buckeye Bridge, removes one of the most significant barriers for CCS graduates: college affordability. This new program is setting a new benchmark for student opportunity in Central Ohio.

“Our students are proving that when you remove barriers, they rise to the challenge,” said Columbus City Schools Superintendent & CEO Dr. Angela Chapman. “With every door we open, we prepare the next generation to grow as leaders for Columbus and beyond.”

CCS and Partners Set the Stage with the Columbus Promise

The Columbus Promise is a strategic partnership that began in 2022, offering tuition-free education at Columbus State Community College (CSCC) to eligible CCS graduates.  The partnership was created in partnership with Columbus City Council President Shannon G. Hardin, I Know I Can, Columbus State, and Columbus City Schools.  Before the program, an average of 313 CCS graduates enrolled at Columbus State each year. By 2024, that number has surged to more than 850, with one in three CCS graduates now enrolling as Columbus Promise scholars. 

"As a product of Columbus City Schools and son of this city, I am so excited about how the Buckeye Bridge extends the Columbus Promise,” said City Council President Hardin. “Students at Columbus City Schools can earn a bachelor's degree from The Ohio State University after their associate's degree from Columbus State, FREE! Regardless of financial circumstances, we want all our young people to go as far as their intellect and hard work can take them." 

Key outcomes since the the Columbus Promise program’s launch:

• College-going rate: CCS has seen a significant increase in our college-going rate, with 32% of students enrolling in college in 2020 to 50% of CCS graduates enrolling in 2023.
• Persistence rate: The term-to-term success rate of CCS students rose from 65% before the program to 80% today.
• Equity impact: Nearly 80% of Promise Scholars are Pell Grant eligible, more than 60% identify as Black or Latino, and many are the first in their families to attend college.

The new Buckeye Bridge program builds on this momentum, allowing eligible Columbus Promise scholars who complete their associate degree at CSCC to transfer to The Ohio State University and finish their bachelor’s degree tuition-free.

“This expanded partnership is life-changing for students, families, and the entire Columbus community,” Dr. Chapman said. 

CCS Increased Graduation Rates and Post Secondary Preparedness 

The expansion aligns with CCS’s Strategic Priorities and Objectives to raise academic performance, provide equitable opportunities for all, and every student that leaves CCS is prepared to be citizens of the global community. This expanded partnership with higher-education organizations couldn’t have come at a better time. CCS is more prepared than ever to launch a new set of leaders into this program and the latest District data supports this:

• The graduation rate for the Class of 2024 reached 83.3%, with a record African American graduation rate of 87.9%. This metric surpasses the state average for Black students by nearly nine percentage points.
• Post-secondary readiness has improved for CCS students. Currently, 64.7% of the graduating cohort meet one or more state readiness indicators, from college credit to industry-recognized credentials. 
• The Ohio Development of Education and Workforce (ODEW) found in its recent Report Card data that 97.2% of CCS Career Technical Education (CTE) graduates were prepared for post-secondary opportunities, such as a career or college.
• CCS is doubling down on our commitment to students, and the results speak for themselves. According to the latest 2024-2025 ODEW Report Card, our Performance Index, which measures the academic performance of our students, showed a 15-point increase since the 2020–21 school year. 

“These gains show that our students are graduating not only with a diploma but with the skills and preparation needed for college and careers,” Dr. Chapman said. “Now, many will enter college debt-free.”

“Free college tuition opens doors that have previously been closed to many of our CCS students, said South High School Principal Christy Nickerson. “With the barrier of expensive tuition removed, our students can focus on persisting and finishing their academic programs.” 

This Partnership is Meeting Workforce Needs in an Equitable Way

After the pandemic, the Columbus metropolitan area has experienced unprecedented job growth in technology, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing. City of Columbus and the Columbus City Schools District leaders believe the Columbus Promise and Buckeye Bridge programs directly respond to these workforce needs while addressing college affordability gaps that have historically held back many families.

“The impact is generational and will break cycles of hardship and build legacies of opportunity for our students and families,” Nickerson said. “I am grateful for the extension of these programs and the long-term significance they will have on our Columbus community.”

How Buckeye Bridge Works & How to Qualify

According to Columbus State and OSU, eligible students must ensure the following guidelines are met to qualify for Buckeye Bridges:

• Be an Ohio resident.
• Graduate from Columbus City Schools and be enrolled in the Columbus Promise program.
• Complete an associate degree at Columbus State.
• File a FAFSA annually.
• Have a family adjusted gross income of less than $100,000.
• Transfer directly to The Ohio State University through the Preferred Pathway program.

Tuition is covered through a combination of state, federal, and institutional aid, ensuring students can complete both degrees without tuition costs.

“Buckeye Bridge will have a transformational impact [on our community],” said Columbus State Community College President David Harrison. “This is a guaranteed opportunity for a debt-free bachelor’s degree, designed to make it easy and predictable for students and families. Together, Columbus State and Ohio State are not only helping students launch successful careers, but we’re also strengthening the talent ecosystem that drives our region’s economic prosperity.”

Next Steps for CCS Families

Families can start the process now by connecting with school counselors, I Know I Can advisors, or visiting Columbus State’s admissions office for details on eligibility and enrollment. The opportunity is clear: a path from high school graduation to a tuition-free associate degree at Columbus State and then a bachelor’s degree at Ohio State. For many students, it will mean entering college with confidence, graduating debt-free, and stepping into careers that strengthen both their futures and the city of Columbus.

As Dr. Chapman put it, “Central Ohio’s greatest strength is its young people. When we invest in them, we all win.”