Columbus State Community College partners with The Ohio State University for Buckeye Bridge degree completion program

Columbus State Community College has partnered with The Ohio State University for a new degree completion program called Buckeye Bridge. The Buckeye Bridge program seeks to make earning a four-year degree more accessible to more individuals by providing both guaranteed admission to The Ohio State University for eligible students and a tuition-free education. The program will begin with students who graduate from Columbus State Community College students who graduate in the Spring 2026 semester and move on to The Ohio State University for the Fall 2026 semester.

According to an article on Columbus State Community College’s website, David Harrison, the college’s president, was quoted as saying of the impact the new program will have, “Buckeye Bridge will have a transformational impact. 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, we’re strengthening the talent ecosystem that drives our region’s economic prosperity.”

The Buckeye Bridge program provides students with guaranteed tuition-free admission to The Ohio State University to pursue a bachelor degree, provided that students meet eligibility requirements. These requirements include being a resident of the state of Ohio, completing an associate degree at Columbus State Community College, filing an annual FAFSA that verifies the student’s family Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $100,000 or less, and maintaining full time enrollment at the university. 

The program provides these benefits to students who are pursuing any major for a bachelor degree, though there are some programs that may have additional requirements or have a competitive process for enrollment. Students who qualify will be able to take advantage of Buckeye Bridge for up to eight semesters.

Ted Carter, the president of Ohio State, said, “Buckeye Bridge is an exciting new opportunity to expand access and affordability for Ohio students and meet the workforce needs of our state. With this program, students will be able to develop the skills they need for in-demand careers that require four-year degrees. We’re so pleased to join with our longtime partners at Columbus State on this important effort.”

In addition to the financial support students will receive when they take part in Buckeye Bridge, they will have access to coordinated support efforts between both institutions the ensure student success.

For more information about Columbus State Unihttps://www.cscc.edu/versity, visit the school’s website.