I KNOW I CAN Program Overview

Established in 1998, the I KNOW I CAN organizations seeks to ensure that every qualified Columbus Public School student who wants to go to college has the opportunity to do so. Part of the mission is to encourage children to find out what resources are available to them in order to overcome student and parent fears about financial and informational decisions relating to a college education.

The I KNOW I CAN plan has four missions. The first is to motivate students to stay in school and pursue college. The second is to advise students and parents how to apply for college and access financial aid. The third mission is to fund students with the Last Dollar Grant and find additional sources of financial aid for needy students. Finally, the organization promises ongoing support for students in college to help ensure that they complete their degrees.

Early Awareness Programs

The Columbus Schools offers children a long term program for attending college. Beginning in second grade, all Columbus Public School children receive a free I KNOW I CAN motivational children's book in order to show children that college is possible and affordable for people from all walks of life.

At the middle and high school level, the Summer Scholars Program helps academically talented students attend summer enrichment programs at college campuses across the nation. Columbus Public School students receive financial and application help to attend these programs and gain the necessary exposure to what life is like on a college campus.

High School Workshops

Academic and financial advising for all high school students, with a particular focus on high school seniors, is another way in which the I KNOW I CAN organization helps Columbus Public School students prepare for college. Volunteer advisors help Columbus Public School students by arranging college awareness fairs and a variety of activities that bring students to college campuses and help them understand the various strategies that they can use to gain admission, including exam preparation as well as enrolling in college preparation courses while still in high school.

Every February, the I KNOW I CAN hosts Financial Aid workshops in conjunction with the Columbus Public Schools. These workshops help parents and students complete all the necessary forms for applying for federal and state financial aid. These workshops pair volunteers with parents and students to ensure the one - on - one attention for each Columbus Public School student interested in applying for college financial aid.

Last Dollar Grants

After ensuring that every Columbus Public School student has received all the financial help possible from federal and state sources, the I KNOW I CAN organization helps to arrange additional funding, up to $1,200 per academic year for those students who need extra money to fill the gaps in their financial aid package. The organization guarantees financial aid assistance to every qualified graduate in the Columbus City School District. The grants are available for up to five years and must be re - applied for every year that the student attends university.