Breaking the cycle of poverty in parenting-student families one degree at a time, ACCESS is an academic and social support program assisting parenting students who are pursuing a college education at The Ohio State University.
Established in 1989, the ACCESS Collaborative Program is an academic and social support program for parenting students who are pursuing a college education at Ohio State. While the program strives to increase the retention rates of parenting students, special attention is given to the unique circumstances of students from diverse social groups. By minimizing the barriers that may prevent their full participation, the ACCESS Collaborative Program works to create a campus climate that is inclusive for all.
The program coordinates university and community support services to assist parenting students of various household compositions and personal demographics toward degree completion. The ACCESS Collaborative Program welcomes all undergraduate and graduate parenting students who are either full-time or part-time students at Ohio State.
Eligibility
- Full-time or part-time Ohio State students
- Minimum GPA of 2.0
- Full, physical custody of their children
Services Offered
- Scholarship opportunities
- Mentoring, professional development
- Housing assistance
Workshops
- Parenting skills: building self-esteem and promoting autonomy in children, improving family harmony, guiding children to maturity
- Life skills: stress management, relationship building, communication skill development
There are a variety of valuable resources available to parenting students both on campus and in the community. A few of these organizations and programs are collected below.
Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) Program
About CCAMPIS
The Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) Program authorized by the Higher Education Act and administered by the U.S. Department of Education supports the participation of low-income parents in postsecondary education through the provision of quality licensed and/or accredited campus or community childcare services for children 6 weeks to 12 years old. The Ohio State University CCAMPIS program was funded for the first time in 2018. We are excited to be able to contribute nearly $2.1 million to support the university’s student parents and our partner centers.
White Paper: Going to College with Kids
Support for your family. CCAMPIS:
- Provides students with priority scheduling; allowing them the freedom to manage their daily lives outside of class.
- Provides your child with quality educational experiences from accredited programs.
- Provides mentoring/coaching to support your academic goals.
- Provides referrals to connect you and your family to university and community resources and services.
Program Details
CCAMPIS funding is available for as long as the participant is meeting eligibility requirements.
Applicant must use one of the following licensed and/or accredited programs:
- A. Sophie Rogers Lab School | 175 E. 7th Avenue Columbus, OH 43201
- Ohio State Childcare Center | 725 Ackerman Road Columbus, OH 43202
- North Central State College/ Ohio State Mansfield Child Development Center
- KinderCare Learning Centers | Locations throughout Columbus and surrounding areas
- Sprout Five, locations throughout Columbus
- Columbus City School LatchKey
- YMCA
- Home-based providers that offer evening care
Eligibility
All applicants must be either a full-time undergraduate Pell Grant eligible student (as determined by filing a FAFSA prior to applying for CCAMPIS funding) and/ or a low-income graduate student with an expected family contribution of less than $4,000 according to FAFSA and:
- A U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
- The parent of a child/children aged 6 weeks to 12 years old, with the child/children having been claimed as the dependent on your previous year’s federal tax return. (If child was not old enough to have been claimed on last year’s tax return, a copy of the birth certificate will suffice.)
- Enrolled full time (12 credit hours or more as an undergraduate; 6 credits or more as a graduate/professional) in a degree seeking program for each semester in which the childcare stipend is awarded. Mansfield and Newark credit hours: 12 credit hours for fall and spring semesters and 6 credit hours during the summer session 1-3.
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 and remain in good academic standing for each semester in which the childcare stipend is awarded.
Undergraduates, Pell Grant recipients, first-generation college students and single parents are granted funding priority. Graduate and professional students will be considered if funding is available.
Have questions or would like to apply for CCAMPIS?
If you have any questions, or if you meet the criteria and are interested in applying for the CCAMPIS stipend, please send an email to ccampis@osu.edu with any questions about the program or to verify eligibility, enroll in the CCAMPIS Program, and receive a referral to the center that best meets your needs.
Family Zone in Thompson Library
University Libraries has partnered with ACCESS to create a Family Zone in Thompson Library. Located on the first floor near the circulation desk, the Family Zone is a comfortable, welcoming space for parents pursuing a college education at Ohio State to study and access library resources. It includes a designated computer for the parent, seating for children and a small collection of children’s books that can be enjoyed in Thompson Library.
Affordable undergrad student parent housing
Columbus Scholar House, North 17th Street, Columbus, Ohio 43203, offers:
- Rent: Based on 30% of adjusted annual income with unit types of 2 and 3 Bedrooms: 970 - 1,145 sq. ft. in Columbus City Schools
- Resident services and priority and access to on-site childcare
Franklin County Children Services Resource Guide
Franklin County Children Services advocates for the safety, permanency and well-being of each child in a manner that honors family and culture.
Title IX law for pregnant and parenting students
Schools that receive federal funds must not discriminate against students on the basis of sex, including a student’s pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination, or recovery therefrom. Schools must provide equal access to school programs and extracurricular activities to students who might be, are, or have been pregnant.
Buckeye Food Alliance
The Buckeye Food Alliance aims at understanding the impact of hunger on educational achievement. They provide access to healthy food for the Ohio State community in order to reduce food insecurity.
Lutheran Social Services 211
Lutheran Social Services 211, also known as LSS 211 Central Ohio, is a database to connect central Ohio residents to comprehensive social, health, non-profit and government resources.
National Student Parent Support Symposium
This nationally acclaimed symposium brings together students, community and higher education professionals to discuss best practices, policies, research, program models and community collaboration when supporting post-secondary parenting students and their families. The focus is on how to empower this unique college population while assisting them with overcoming barriers that may keep them from graduating.