If you’ve been taking College Credit Plus (CCP) classes through Central Ohio Technical College (COTC) while you’re in high school, you already have a head start on college and career prep. But you might be wondering about what your next steps are after you graduate.

There are many options, but continuing your journey at COTC could be the right fit for you. COTC makes it easy for CCP students to continue on at any of our campuses (or online) after high school. Whether your goal is to enter the workforce or go on to a four-year school, COTC can help ease the transition from high school to college — and save you a lot of money in the process.

Here are some other reasons to consider COTC after high school:

1. The CCP Scholarship

If you completed 12 credit hours or more with a 2.5 GPA or higher through COTC’s CCP program while you were in high school and did not complete an associate degree, you’re automatically eligible for the CCP Scholarship. The CCP Scholarship awards up to $3,00 per academic year if you enroll at COTC immediately after high school graduation. The scholarship is renewable until you complete your first associate degree. In some cases, this is enough to completely fund you as you complete the academic program or certificate you began working on in high school. 

2. Cost Savings

In addition to the CCP scholarship and a much lower average cost than most four-year colleges in the U.S., COTC offers a wealth of funding opportunities to our students. For example, if you’ve been a resident of Licking, Knox or Coschocton County for at least one year, you might be eligible for free tuition under the COTC Promise Program if your family makes less than $100,000 annually. Many of our programs are also eligible for the Ohio Work Ready Grant, which can provide an additional $3,000 or $6,000 of funding annually for full-time students.

3. A Smoother Transition From High School

By enrolling at COTC, former CCP students can build on credit you’ve already earned at an institution that you’re already familiar with. You’ve already developed relationships here and you understand many of our processes and tools, such as the Canvas Learning Management System. In many cases, students who have taken classes in particular pathways can continue seamlessly on that academic track. You’re also guaranteed CCP credit transfer, so all of your applicable credits will count toward your degree or certificate, removing any possibility that you’ll have to retake classes.

4. Guaranteed Credit Transfer to Four-Year Schools

Credits you earn at COTC transfer to public colleges and universities in Ohio. Plus, COTC has articulation agreements with a number of four-year institutions across Ohio and beyond. These articulation agreements guarantee that certain credits from COTC will transfer and be applied to your degree at the target school. By taking advantage of one of these agreements, you can earn credentials or even an associate degree on your way to a bachelor’s degree, making you more attractive to employers and creating cost savings. In some cases, these agreements allow students to take up to three years of courses at COTC before moving on to finish their final year at a four-year partner institution, often at a lower negotiated tuition rate.

5. Prepare for Your Career With COTC’s Workforce-Focused Programs

Even if you have no intention of moving on to a four-year school, enrolling at COTC after high school graduation can help you in your career. “COTC’s programs of study are intentionally connected to the workforce needs of our region,” says Gary Swisher, manager of career development and experiential learning. This ensures that “students have opportunities to develop the knowledge, technical skills and expertise needed for in-demand careers with local and regional employers.”

COTC’s Office of Career Development and Experiential Learning Services can also help students with their career plans, from individual job search strategy consultation to helping students find academic programs that might interest them.

Finish What You Started at COTC

The College Credit Plus Program is designed to help high school students like you get a jump-start on your college education, and COTC makes it as easy as possible for former CCP students to enroll as the next step on their journey. If you’re interested in enrolling at COTC after graduation, you can apply now or request more information.