Columbus Promise plan makes college accessible
As proud as I am to represent Columbus as president of City Council, I joke that I’ll be just as proud to finally pay off my six-figure student loans. Sadly, my newborn son might be headed for high school before that is a reality.
Student debt, combined with a lack of degrees and credentials, are trapping too many in poverty and stifling economic growth. For cities from coast to coast, talent development is the next generation of economic development.
Most families can’t count on rich donors like Robert Smith, who I witnessed personally eliminate student debt for the Class of 2019 at Morehouse College. However, we should do what we can here in Columbus to support our students and families.
That is why I was so proud to recently stand with Dr. Harrison from Columbus State Community College, Katina Fullen from I Know I Can and Columbus City Schools Superintendent Talisa Dixon as we announced the Columbus Promise, a guarantee to all CCS graduates, starting with the Class of 2022, that they can go to Columbus State for free.
We owe the next generation of leaders a true promise. Whether a certificate program, an associate’s degree or the first two years toward a four-year bachelor’s degree, we know that higher education is critical to getting a good-paying job.
The program is built upon national best practices with Columbus-specific innovations for inclusivity. Students won’t just have tuition covered, but also up to $1,000 a year to help deal with unexpected expenses. They will also benefit from Columbus State’s newest wrap-around services and coaches to help them from their first day through graduation.
The Columbus Promise covers students attending part-time, undocumented students and more. We want students to be confident that as long as they graduate high school and complete the FAFSA, finances will not be an obstacle.
Working with private sector partners, this coalition aims to provide free college and direct pathways into good-paying jobs. From the building trades to the I.T. field, there are thousands of jobs in Columbus that just require a certificate.
Building on the many strong partnerships Columbus State boasts with local companies, a critical component of the Columbus Promise is to connect students with good-paying entry jobs while in school. Our students, from kindergarten to career, can take great pride in knowing their city has their back inside and outside the classroom.
We need more private businesses to step up with paid internships for students along their paths. And we need more champions like AEP, DLZ, The Edwards Company, the Columbus Foundation and others to invest in the future of our students.
In order for Columbus to be the best place in America to learn, earn and find your career, we as a community need to make bold investments in education. We do that by providing an accessible, affordable education after high school.
Researchers will measure the impact of the Columbus Promise over the next three years. While Columbus City Schools is the largest district in Ohio, some Columbus kids attend other school districts.
With meaningful results in phase one, we could chart a path to expand to more students in more neighborhoods, more post-secondary destinations, and one day, possibly all kids in Franklin County could have the same opportunity to learn, earn and start their careers.
Government is one part of the puzzle, and we can’t invest in our community alone. If you’re involved in a student’s life, we urge you to work with them to fill out the FAFSA and sign up for the Columbus Promise program at Cbuspromise.com.
We need more private businesses to step up with paid internships for students along their paths. And we need more champions like AEP, DLZ, The Edwards Company, the Columbus Foundation and others to invest in the future of our students.
The Columbus Promise is a commitment to the next generation of leaders and the future of this great community, and we are all a part of that promise.
Shannon G. Hardin is the Columbus City Council president.