COTC’s Promise programs guarantee that tuition will be entirely covered by institutional, federal and state aid as well as private scholarships for eligible students.* There is no lifetime dollar limit to Promise awards. Students may take classes at any COTC campus or online. 

*Tuition includes instructional and general fees. Course fees, books and living expenses are not included. Other financial aid may be available to help cover expenses not included in the Promise programs. 

There are three COTC Promise programs:

Licking Promise (starts summer 2026)

The Licking County Promise program is available to students currently residing in Licking County who meet the eligibility requirements. The Licking County Promise is initially possible in Licking County through a partnership between COTC and the Newark Campus Development Fund that utilizes scholarships given for this purpose. 

Coshocton Promise

The Coshocton Promise program is available to students currently residing in Coshocton County who meet the eligibility requirements. The Coshocton Promise is initially possible in Coshocton County through a partnership between COTC and the Coshocton Foundation’s Clarence and Grace Miller Scholarship endowment.

Knox Promise

The Knox Promise program is available to students currently residing in Knox County who meet the eligibility requirements. The Knox Promise is made possible by the Knox County Foundation through a unique collaboration between COTC, the Foundation and several generous private funding partners.

Eligibility

New, continuing and returning students are eligible if they:

• are current residents who have lived in either Licking, Coshocton or Knox county for at least one year
• have an annual household income of $100,000 or less reported on the 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)*
• do not already have an associate degree or bachelor’s degree
• enroll in at least one credit hour in a federal aid-eligible certificate or degree program at COTC
• meet the standards for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), applicable to current and returning students only

Each semester you are enrolled at COTC, you must:

• maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA
• continue meeting the standards for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) 
• maintain all other federal eligibility requirements

Eligibility requirements must be met each year, and Promise eligibility status may change if requirements are not met. 

Award

There is no separate application for the COTC Promise. To be automatically considered for Promise awards, you must be admitted to COTC, complete the FAFSA by the priority filing date each year, and, if applicable, submit any additional documents required for the financial aid process. You will receive an email notification from Student Financial Services if you are eligible.

How to enroll at COTC:

1. Submit the free COTC application for admission. 
2. Complete the standard steps to enroll to finish your enrollment and register for classes.

Contact

For more information, contact the COTC Gateway Enrollment Center:

• phone: 740.366.9222
• email: cotcadmissions@mail.cotc.edu

*Prior to the 2026-27 academic year, the Coshocton Promise and Knox Promise programs required an annual household income of $60,000 or less reported on the FAFSA. The Licking Promise and new household income eligibility requirements for all Promise programs start summer semester 2026.