COTC increases opportunities for free college to Coshocton County residents

Central Ohio Technical College is expanding its Coshocton County Promise program to offer free college tuition to more Coshocton County residents.

Since 2018 the Coshocton County Promise has provided students from Coshocton County with an annual household income of $60,000 or less the opportunity to receive free tuition at COTC. They may take classes at any of the college’s four campus locations including the Coshocton campus and online.

As a part of its rollout of new and enhanced Promise programs — including the also-expanded Knox County Promise and brand-new Licking County Promise — COTC is raising the maximum income requirement to $100,000.

This change will go into effect beginning this summer semester, which will start Monday, May 18 and is open to current and new students. New students have until Wednesday, May 6 to apply for the summer semester.

“The exciting upgrade of this program affords an opportunity to forever change the educational access of the region we serve,” said John M. Berry, PhD, president of COTC. “This financial support exemplifies our steadfast commitment to changing futures for the better. I can’t wait to see its lasting impact.”

COTC’s data analysis predicts the higher household income threshold and increased funding for both the Coshocton County Promise and Knox County Promise programs could allow more than 50 residents of those two counties to be newly eligible for a promise program.

Through these initiatives, tuition — comprised of instructional and general fees — is entirely covered by institutional, federal and state aid, as well as private scholarships for eligible students. The cost of books, course fees and living expenses are not included in the program, although they may be covered by additional financial aid.

The Coshocton County Promise has been possible through a partnership between COTC and the Coshocton Foundation's Grace and Clarence Miller Scholarship endowment. Each year going forward, the foundation will grant the exact amount needed to cover the tuition of every student eligible for the Coshocton County Promise.

“Our trustees are thrilled to help expand this program,” said Bob Pell, Coshocton Foundation executive director. “We expect to see even higher levels of participation from Coshocton County students who have a dream for their future. No longer faced with the financial roadblock of affording tuition, they can seek higher education to achieve that dream and truly transform their lives.”

The Coshocton County Promise program is open to new, current and returning students who don’t already hold an associate or a bachelor’s degree. To qualify, students also must meet the following requirements:

—Live in Coshocton County and have been a resident 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.

—Enroll in at least one credit hour in an aid-eligible certificate or degree program at any of COTC’s four campus locations or online.

Current and returning students also must meet the standards for Satisfactory Academic Progress, which includes maintaining a minimum 2.0 GPA.

With no lifetime dollar limit, students can receive free tuition for every semester they attend COTC and continue meeting the Promise program requirements. Visit go.cotc.edu/promise for more details.

There is no special application for the Coshocton County Promise program. Students are automatically considered if they enroll at COTC, complete the FAFSA each year and submit all documentation required to complete the financial aid process.

Just like this improved Coshocton County Promise, the Knox County Promise program is honoring the same increase in maximum income requirement for residents of Knox County. The new Licking County Promise program also will apply that threshold. Each program’s new eligibility requirements will go into effect starting this summer semester.

To learn more or to schedule an appointment with an admissions representative, call or email the COTC Gateway Enrollment Center at 740-366-9222 or cotcadmissions@mail.cotc.edu.