This year the Columbus Promise Program, which pays for students to attend their first year at Columbus State Community College, has added a new Earn and Learn program, which helps students work part time while attending school.
Columbus State Community College is hosting students who are taking advantage of the Columbus Promise Program.
The Columbus Promise Program paid for more than 700 students to attend their first year at Columbus State Community College. According to those running the program, it is on pace to help as many, if not more, students this year.
This year, Columbus Promise has started a new program called Earn and Learn, which helps connect students and employers while they are still pursuing their degree or certification.
In an article from NBC4i, Mohamed Qasim, a senior at Beechcroft High School, talked about the benefits of the promise program, saying, “I wanted to go to OSU. That was my dream school. I got in, but then my tuition ended up being almost $40,000. So I said, I would go to Columbus State for the first two years and go free. Instead of paying almost $80,000 and I don’t even know if I want to go to school like that.”
Bonntte Conteh, who is also a senior at Beechcroft, saw The Columbus Promise as even more of a reason to stay close to home, saying, “I chose Columbus State because Columbus state is here at home for me. I like to be comfortable in my own space. And also with the Columbus Promise you’re going to school for free for two years for free and I feel like I should take and everyone else here should take that advantage.”
Conteh talked about how the ever-rising costs of tuition are presenting a burden for her family, saying, “We talk about how they went to other universities and they wish they would have took advantage of going to Columbus state and doing The Columbus Promise because it’s a really good opportunity instead of being in debt and school money and owing loans and stuff.”
Every senior attending Columbus City Schools is eligible for The Columbus Promise Program regardless of their grades. Any interested student only needs to graduate and fill out a FAFSA form.
The interim director of the Columbus Promise Program, Terrence Lawrence, said that this year’s class of students also has the opportunity to take part in the Earn and Learn program, which allows students to work part time with partner organizations while attending classes.
“We have employers that we’re working with in the various programs. We have it employers, healthcare, business, non profit employers… students can find job opportunities while they… attend Columbus State. Employers will work with the students daily in their everyday transition from college to the work-life balance,” he said.
More information about the Columbus Promise Program can be found on its website.
More information about Columbus State Community College can be found at the school’s website.