The Second Chance Grant Pilot Program will provide up to $3 million in financial assistance in the form of $2,000 grants to eligible students re-enrolling at a qualifying institution in order to obtain a degree or credential. It is also strongly encouraged that institutions combine the Second Chance Grant with other financial aid programs and debt forgiveness programs (i.e., College Comeback) to maximize the financial benefit to the re-enrollee and additionally incentivize stopped-out students to consider returning. Qualifying institutions may wish to prioritize grants to students who are within one-year of completion, for example. As such, qualifying institutions are recommended to promote the Second Chance Grant Pilot Program to students who have demonstrated that they are likely to be able to earn a degree or credential in a reasonable amount of time if given an increase in financial support. The objectives of the Second Chance Grant Pilot Program are to reduce financial barriers preventing Ohioans with some college credit but no bachelor’s degree from returning to higher education and to increase the number of Ohioans with a degree or credential. Qualifying institutions are encouraged to market the Second Chance Grant Pilot Program to disenrolled students who may wish to renew their pursuit of a degree or credential. The State of Ohio is further strengthening its commitment to assisting students in attaining a degree or credential through the establishment of the Second Chance Grant Pilot Program. In pursuit of this goal, and in order to facilitate the return to higher education by Ohioans who stopped out prior to crossing the finish line, the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) recently issued guidance for voluntary institutional debt relief programs titled College Comeback. As we think about ways to increase postsecondary enrollment and meet Ohio’s workforce needs, we should explore as many creative options as possible to incentivize these former students to come back to our institutions. Indeed, economists have indicated that increasing the number of Ohioans with postsecondary degrees or credentials is necessary for Ohio to remain economically competitive and meet the workforce needs of the future. It is critical to the continued economic well-being of the State of Ohio that a substantial number of these former students earn a credential.
Approximately 1.5 million Ohioans have earned some college credit but no degree.
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