On Feb. 26, 2026, Central Ohio Technical College announced the launch of its new Licking County Promise program, which guarantees free tuition to qualifying residents of Licking County. The initiative is expected to benefit more than 500 students based on historical enrollment data and will be available starting with the upcoming summer semester on May 18.
The program aims to increase access to higher education for local students by removing financial barriers. Eligible participants include new, current, and returning students who have lived in Licking County for at least one year, have an annual household income of $100,000 or less as reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and are enrolled in at least one credit hour in an aid-eligible certificate or degree program. Current and returning students must also maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA.
"This program has the potential to change the higher education accessibility landscape of our region. Such great financial support will allow a myriad new individuals to consider a journey into education, workforce development and, ultimately, generational prosperity," John M. Berry, PhD, president of Central Ohio Technical College said.
Tuition costs—including instructional and general fees—will be fully covered through institutional, federal and state aid as well as private scholarships. However, expenses such as books, course fees and living costs are not included but may be covered by additional financial aid. The program is supported by contributions from community members through the Newark Campus Development Fund (NCDF), which has provided millions in scholarships over more than four decades.
Jennifer Roberts, executive director of NCDF said: "We’re so grateful to all the donors who have invested their resources in scholarships at NCDF. This extraordinary opportunity would not be possible without them. It will help students who previously perceived college to be out of reach set new goals and understand they now have a clear pathway to a degree. It will bring peace of mind to families who on their own don’t have the resources to help their children reach their educational dreams."
There is no special application required; eligible students are automatically considered if they enroll at Central Ohio Technical College and complete the FAFSA each year along with all necessary documentation for financial aid processing. More information can be found at Central Ohio Technical College's website.
