BUCYRUS, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—North Central State College is expanding educational access and helping local students avoid excessive student loan debt through early college programs and community resources at its Crawford Success Center in Bucyrus.
Speaking with host Randy Bigley on “Community Spotlight,” North Central State College representative Caree Bash highlighted the institution’s role as the only college directly accessible inside Crawford County. In addition to serving traditional students, the Crawford Success Center provides study spaces and meeting areas for community groups, digital schools and homeschool co-ops.
To address rising higher education costs, the college encourages local families to utilize Ohio’s College Credit Plus (CCP) program. Now in its 11th year, the state initiative allows students in grades seven through 12 to earn free college credits before graduating high school.
“Students who are able to take advantage of at least one advanced standing course before they graduate high school, whether that’s honors or CCP, are doing better than their peers when entering college,” Bash said.
Students who earn credits through CCP or local career technical centers can also qualify for the college’s Tuition Freedom Scholarship after graduating high school.
For adult learners and students looking to enter the workforce quickly, the college offers flexible, industry-aligned certificate programs in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence and business analytics. Those pursuing a four-year degree can use Ohio Guaranteed Transfer Pathways to seamlessly transfer credits from North Central State to universities across the state.
Prospective students can learn more by visiting ncstatecollege.edu or stopping by the Crawford Success Center in Bucyrus or the main campus in Mansfield.