The Foundation Board at Owens Community College has announced the expansion of the Success Program to include every high school student in the Toledo Public school system, including Waite High School.

The Success Program, which allows any student in financial need to attend Owens for free, is designed to assist students who receive only partial state and federal financial aid to attend college. The program essentially bridges the gap between the federal grant aid a student receives and the cost of an Owens education.

“The Success Program was established to eliminate financial barriers and provide greater access to higher education,” Christa Adams, Ph. D., President of Owens Community College, said.

In all, 14 high schools will be involved in the program, where the program was previously only instituted at Woodward High School and Findlay City schools.

“We contacted other colleges that have similar programs and they recommended that we run a pilot program,” Ann Savage, Owens Community College Foundation President, said. “It really worked out well.”

As a result of that decision, 57 of 134 Woodward High School graduates are attending Owens Community College this year. In all, 87 students from both Woodward and Findlay City schools are attending Owens due to the program.

“We’ve had almost triple the amount of students go to Owens Community College than in previous years,” Emilio Ramirez, Woodward High School principal, said.

That is a great thing, according to Cecilia Gonzales, a 2008 Woodward graduate who is attending Owens this year because of the Success Program.

“It will help students catch up on what they need to do for college, and it will help them with everything that they need,” she said.

Being able to go to college is special for Gonzales, she said.

“It is really important because I am the first of my immediate family to go to college,” she said. “It helps me be the best that I can be and to prepare me for the real world.”

In order to be eligible, TPS students must graduate from high school, be enrolled in 12 or more credit hours each semester at Owens and complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine financial aid and receive some federal/state grant funding. Recipients must enroll at Owens during the first fall or spring semester following graduation and will have three years to complete their associate degree through the Success Program initiative.

 “Every student should have the opportunity to pursue a college education and realize their goals and ambitions,” Dr. Adams said.

Gonzales said going to college straight from high school may seem difficult to some, but there is help.

 “It is hard going through college right out of high school with no break, but this program helps you get through it,” she said. “Even if you have problems with classes or at home, they will be there no matter what. You just have to stay focused on what you want for your own life.”

The program is also going to benefit TPS.

“Toledo Public Schools appreciates the continuing support from Owens Community College and the generosity they are extending to our students,” John Foley, Superintendent for Toledo Public Schools, said. “The Success Program provides our students with a tremendous opportunity to attend college.”

The pilot program at Woodward has been successful according to Ramirez.

“It has changed the culture and mindset around here,” Ramirez said.

Ramirez also said that the program has made the opportunity to go to college much more direct and easier.

The program also eases a lot of worry for high school students.

“It has students talking about college,” Ramirez said. “Instead of worrying about and searching for scholarships, all they have to do is graduate, apply for financial aid, and they can make it.”

If it weren’t for this program, Gonzales doesn’t think she would be in college right now.

“I would probably be working for life,” she said.

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