Wright State partners with SOCHE on degree completion program

Through the BOLD Compact, students can have student debt forgiven, return to college, complete their program of study and earn a bachelor’s degree.

Students who previously attended college in Ohio but stopped out prior to graduation can now complete their undergraduate degrees by enrolling at Wright State University through a new initiative designed to increase degree completion in the state.

Wright State is collaborating with the Strategic Ohio Council for Higher Education (SOCHE) in its Be Ohio’s Latest Degree Holder (BOLD) Compact, which is designed to help Ohioans, many of whom may have outstanding student debt, return to college, complete their program of study and earn a bachelor’s degree.

Students who enroll in the BOLD Compact can have up to $5,000 in outstanding student account balances waived by the institution they previously attended.

More information about the BOLD Compact and a registration form to communicate with partner institutions are available at soche.org/college-students/bold-compact.

Wright State advisors will contact students after they complete the BOLD Compact registration form to review degree programs and the university’s free application process.

Students who have not received a college degree, have enrolled in one of the compact’s participating institutions, have been out of college for at least three semesters and have less than $5,000 in outstanding debt to a participating institution are eligible for the program.

Approximately 1.5 million Ohioans have attended some college but have not earned a degree or credentials.

“These students stopped out of college for a multitude of reasons and Wright State would love to welcome them back to campus,” said Susan Schaurer, vice president for enrollment management and student success. “Wright State University is committed to helping students return to college to complete their degree and take the next step to achieve their professional goals.

Wright State’s Transfer Center staff is also available to walk students through each step of the transfer process.

As job demands increase across Ohio, achievement of college degrees and certifications has become increasingly more valuable for students.

A goal set by the Ohio Department of Higher Education has set a goal that by 2025 65% of Ohioans aged 25 to 64 will have a college degree.

The Ohio Department of Higher Education has set a goal that 65% of Ohioans aged 25 to 64 will have a college degree by 2025. The State of Ohio also hopes to increase the rate of adults over 25 enrolled in a public college or university.

SOCHE and its university member institutions launched the BOLD Compact in partnership with the Ohio Department of Higher Education, which has developed two programs — the Ohio Second Chance Grant and College Comeback — to encourage Ohioans to return to college.

Other institutions in the BOLD Compact are Clark State College, Edison State Community College, Shawnee State University, University of Dayton and Wittenberg University. SOCHE anticipates that additional institutions will join the program.