The RiSE Initiative helps students who come to The Ohio State University by way of transfer (JLM Scholars Program), campus change (RCT Scholars Program) or who have lived experience in foster care, kinship care or another out-of-home placement (FAN Scholars).
RiSE Programs
Fostering Achievement Network (FAN)
Fostering Achievement Network (former foster youth)
Join the Fostering Achievement Network (FAN) and Unlock Your Potential!
Are you a student who has experience in foster care, kinship care or any out-of-home placement? The Fostering Achievement Network is here to help you succeed!
FAN offers a supportive community tailored for you, providing essential resources to help you overcome challenges and seize new opportunities. As one of the students selected for FAN, you'll gain access to the FAN Early Arrival Program, where you'll receive personalized guidance and tools to navigate your transition to becoming a Buckeye and your path to success.
Don’t miss this chance to access invaluable support, connect with peers and develop new relationships and take your education to the next level. Together, we’ll help you achieve your dreams!
FAN Background
In the fall of 2020, an Ohio State student founded the Fostering Achievement Network (FAN) on the Columbus campus. FAN was designed to help current and former foster youth navigate higher education. Unfortunately, after the student graduated, the organization did not have the support to sustain itself.
In 2023, the Columbus campus earned the Ohio REACH Postsecondary designation from the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE). Along with the state designation, the Columbus campus has the university’s support for former foster youth. The Columbus campus is revitalizing the Fostering Achievement Network as a campus-wide initiative.
FAN is a purpose-driven program that offers a unique educational experience. It incorporates academic success coaching, mentors, a trained Peer Resource Navigator from iFoster/TAY AmeriCorps, monthly Lunch and Learn opportunities, and additional support services to eliminate barriers to opportunities, thus allowing students to meet their full potential. Students can engage with FAN in various ways, from participating in an Early Arrival Program (EAP) to participating in a year-round FAN Scholars Program or engaging on an as-needed basis.
Opportunities
- Access to Academic Success Coaching
- Access to Social Peer Assistance (Peer Mentoring)
- Access to Supplemental and Academic Services for Tutoring, Supplemental Instruction, and More
- Access to Scholarship Services for Financial Aid Scholarship Consultation
- Access to an Embedded Therapist
- Opportunity for Career, Education, and Leadership Development
- Global Education Opportunities
- Work Study Opportunities (for Qualifying Students)
Become a FAN Scholar
Eligibility
- Identify as someone with lived experience in foster care, kinship care or any out-of-home placement.
- Must enroll in at least six semester hours at The Ohio State University Columbus campus.
Benefits
As a member of the Fostering Achievement Network, you’ll enjoy a variety of benefits designed to support your journey at The Ohio State University:
- Scholarship and Financial Aid Counseling: Get expert advice on scholarships and financial aid from a dedicated Scholarship Services team.
- Additional Scholarship Opportunities: You’ll have the chance to explore even more scholarship options to support your education.
- Program-Specific Federal Work-Study: Take advantage of program specific work-study opportunities.
- Supplemental Academic Services: Access resources like the tutoring program and supplemental instruction to boost learning.
- Peer Resource Navigator: You'll be paired with a Peer Resource Navigator who will guide you through campus life and help you make connections.
- Academic Success Coaching: Benefit from one-on-one coaching to help you excel and reach your academic goals.
- Social Engagement Activities: Get involved and make new friends through fun events and activities tailored for all!
- Invitations to Events: Participate in events and workshops that enhance your college experience and expand your network.
- Global Education Support: Access resources that help you explore global learning opportunities.Dr. James L. Moore III Scholars Program (Transfers)
Join the Fostering Achievement Network!
To join FAN, you must complete both the application and the consent form.
Additional FAN Resources
Ohio Reach Resources - Help for scholarships, housing, food, and more.
JLM Scholars Program
The Dr. James L. Moore III (JLM) Scholars Program is a student development initiative, focused on transfer students from Columbus State Community College (CSCC). This program has been designed to provide transitional support to students with a focus on study skills, leadership skill building and professional development. JLM Scholars receive a peer mentor who they will meet with monthly. JLM Scholars also have access to academic success coaching and Tutoring and Study Skills resources.
Opportunities
- Access to Academic Success Coaching
- Access to Social Peer Assistance (Peer Mentoring)
- Access to Supplemental and Academic Services for Tutoring, Supplemental Instruction, and More
- Access to Scholarship Services for Financial Aid Scholarship Consultation
- Access to an Embedded Therapist
- Opportunity for Career, Education, and Leadership Development
- Global Education Opportunities
- Work Study Opportunities (for Qualifying Students)
Program Benefits
- Social Engagement Activities
- You will be paired with a Social Peer Assistant who will help with navigating Ohio State and making connections on campus.
- Individualized Academic Success Coaching
- Access to Supplemental Academic Services such as the Tutoring Program and Supplemental Instruction
- Access to Scholarship and Financial Aid Counseling via Scholarship Services
- Potential for additional scholarship opportunities.
- Earn up to $1,200 toward your next semester of enrollment after completing one semester.
- Scholars who opt to participate in a second term of JLM and complete the ExCEL program can earn an additional award toward their following semester of enrollment.
- Invitations to events
- Connection to other programs, initiatives and services
- Global education support
- Program-specific federal work-study opportunities
Eligibility Requirements
- Columbus State Community College transfer student – must apply to the program within the first year of transfer. Priority is given to applicants who are transferring immediately after attending Columbus State.
- Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA
- Must enroll in at least six semester hours at The Ohio State University Columbus campus.
- Identify as one of the following:
- Pell Eligible (per financial aid award letter)
- First-generation College Student (neither parent earned a bachelor’s degree)
JLM Program Requirements
First Term (required)
- Attend the JLM Early Arrival Program
- Attend JLM Monthly Academic Success Coaching Appointments
- Complete JLM Academic Success Activities
- Attend JLM Monthly Meetings
- Attend Diversity Events
- Attend Social Engagement Experiences
Second Term (optional)
- Complete the ExCEL Program in the 2nd term (expanding career, education and leadership)
Contact JLM
JLM Scholars
Hale Hall, 154 W. 12th Avenue
Columbus OH 43210
Regional Campus Transitional Scholars Program (Campus Change)
The Regional Campus Transitional Scholars Program (RCT) supports the transition of students relocating to the Columbus campus from one of The Ohio State University regional campuses. Students are strategically connected to campus resources, services, and opportunities through which they will elevate their academic momentum on the Columbus campus. With the RCT Initiative, you can be confident that you are supported as you move toward achieving academic success, earning your baccalaureate degree, and beyond.
Mission
RCT brings trust, support, and community to students who have transitioned to the Columbus campus from an Ohio State regional campus. By advocating for and connecting campus change students to programs, services, opportunities and resources. RCT prioritizes the success and well-being of campus change students.
RCT serves campus change students who are transitioning from Lima, Mansfield, Marion, Newark or Wooster campuses to the Columbus campus.
Opportunities
- Access to Academic Success Coaching
- Access to Social Peer Assistance (Peer Mentoring)
- Access to Supplemental and Academic Services for Tutoring, Supplemental Instruction and more
- Access to Scholarship Services for Financial Aid Scholarship Consultation
- Access to an Embedded Therapist
- Opportunity for career, education and leadership development
- Global education opportunities
- Work study opportunities (for qualifying students)
Apply
Please note: The RCT Scholars Program is a year-round program and only accepts scholars in the autumn. Those scholars will automatically be enrolled with us to participate in the autumn and spring.
This application is ONLY for students applying to the Regional Campus Transitional Scholars Program 2025-2026 cohort. The eligible campus change terms for this cohort are AU25 and SU25.
Questions?
Please send an email to ADMIN-ODI-RCT@osu.edu.
RCT Early Arrival Program
The Regional Campus Transitioners (RCT) Early Arrival Program is coordinated by the RCT Scholars Program within the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. The RCT EAP is a three-day in-person program for incoming campus-change students to The Ohio State University Columbus campus. The EAP prepares students for transitioning to the Columbus campus by providing educational and resourceful workshops, engaging presentations, and team-building activities before the start of the school year. Further, it is the expectation that RCT EAP participants will become RCT Scholars and fully participate in the RCT Scholars Program, a year-long commitment.
RCT Scholar EAP Expectations
- Scholars are encouraged to attend the full early arrival program.
- Scholars are encouraged to fully engage with peers, mentors (referred to as Social Peer Assistants), the Academic Success Coach and Program Manager to forge a relationship grounded on mutual trust and respect.
- Scholars should aim to establish a strong community bond through open communication among all other scholars, mentors and with the program manager.
- Scholars should be open-minded toward new experiences and willing to step outside of their comfort zones to seek university resources, engage with campus life, and interact with staff and faculty.
Cost
There is no cost for RCT Scholars who participate in the program.
Questions or Accommodations
Please direct any questions about RCT or any need for accommodations to Chaka Wilson at wilson.1071@osu.edu or ADMIN-RCT@osu.edu.