Buckeye Bridge
Complete two degrees for the affordable price of one.
Your Columbus State associate degree may guarantee you admission and tuition-free enrollment at Ohio State’s Columbus campus. Introducing Buckeye Bridge, your path to an affordable bachelor’s degree.
The Ohio State University and Columbus State Community College, Ohio’s largest university and community college, are working together to create more access for Ohioans who want an affordable bachelor’s degree.
Buckeye Bridge, a new partnership between Ohio State and Columbus State, guarantees eligible Columbus State graduates admission to Ohio State’s Columbus campus tuition and mandatory-fee free for up to eight semesters. To be eligible, students must:
- Be an Ohio resident
- Earn an associate degree from Columbus State
- Have a student or family adjusted gross income of $100,000 or less, verified through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- File the FAFSA annually by OSU's priority deadline (2/1/2026)
- Transfer to Ohio State within three semesters of graduating Columbus State
- Maintain full-time enrollment and satisfactory academic progress at Ohio State
Broader access. More degrees. Less debt.
Driven by a shared goal of increasing access to affordable higher education and multiplying the number of Ohioans with associate and bachelor’s degrees, Ohio State and Columbus State are doubling down on their 2011 Preferred Pathway partnership that guarantees admission and credit transfer to Ohio State's Columbus campus for eligible Columbus State graduates.
Buckeye Bridge extends further by waiving Ohio State tuition and mandatory fees, including instructional, general, student activity, recreational, and COTA fees, for eligible Columbus State graduates. The colleges will also work together on advising, transfer counseling, academic support, and assessment to remove barriers and drive student success and debt-free degree completion. The first eligible students will be Spring 2026 Columbus State graduates who transfer to Ohio State's Columbus campus in Fall 2026.
The award reflects a shared commitment to expanding opportunity, reducing barriers to degree attainment, and preparing more central Ohioans for the region’s growing workforce needs. By investing in students, Buckeye Bridge helps open doors for families, builds talent strength for employers, and secures a brighter future for the region.
Affordable quality. Transferable credit.
With the lowest tuition in the region and hundreds of transfer agreements statewide, Columbus State offers two-year associate degrees – the Associate of Arts and the Associate of Science – that fulfill the first two years of credits for a bachelor’s degree. The college's Associate of Applied Science prepares students to enter the workforce immediately, with select transfer options to continue on for a bachelor’s degree in the same discipline. Currently, more than 1,000 students transfer their credits from Columbus State to Ohio State each year to complete their bachelor's degree. Buckeye Bridge is expected to grow that number, leading to more access and affordability, more associate and bachelor's degree-completers, and less college debt.
Through Buckeye Bridge, eligible students who complete their AA, AS, or AAS at Columbus State with a 2.0 cumulative GPA can transfer to Ohio State with tuition and mandatory fees covered for up to eight semesters or until they complete their bachelor’s degree (whichever comes first). While Buckeye Bridge guarantees admission to the university, it does not guarantee admission to certain programs, like those with competitive admission, including engineering, nursing, and business. Explore academic pathways.
It's important to work with Columbus State and Ohio State transfer advisors early and often to make sure your transfer goes smoothly.
All students are welcome
Columbus State serves students in various phases of life, learning, and career, including those who attend our Delaware Campus, regional learning centers, or learn fully online.
Whether you’re a College Credit Plus student, soon-to-be or recent high school grad, adult learner, or an online student, if you’re eligible, Buckeye Bridge is for you.
Start building your bridge: How to get started
Buckeye Bridge is open to future Columbus State students and those already enrolled, beginning with Spring 2026 Columbus State graduates.
Current Students
Current Columbus State students, contact the college’s Transfer Center or Advising Central to make sure you’re on track to graduate with an associate degree from Columbus State.
Columbus State Transfer Center
Aquinas Hall 126
transferinfo@cscc.edu
(614) 287-5353
Columbus State Advising Central
Aquinas Hall 116
Drop-in advising available
Future Students
High school seniors and incoming students who are eligible, your Columbus State degree is your admission letter to Ohio State's Columbus campus. (You'll still need to complete the Ohio State transfer application process to be admitted to The Ohio State University.) To get started with Buckeye Bridge, apply to Columbus State.
On the application, under “What’s your educational goal?,” select “Earn an associate degree to transfer to another institution.”
Under “Where are you going after Columbus State?,” select “Ohio State University” as your Preferred Transfer Partner.
Where to get help:
Columbus State Transfer Center → transferinfo@cscc.edu | Aquinas Hall 126 |614-287-5353
Columbus State Advising Central → Aquinas Hall 116 | Drop-in advising available
Ohio State Admissions → askabuckeye@osu.edu | 614-292-3980
Frequently Asked Questions
Jump to: Program Overview | Eligibility | Enrollment & Timing | Grant Details | Contacts & Next Steps
Program Overview
Buckeye Bridge is a strategic initiative between Columbus State Community College and The Ohio State University. The program provides eligible Columbus State associate degree graduates:
- Guaranteed admission to Ohio State’s Columbus campus
- Full tuition and mandatory fee coverage (up to eight semesters) or until completion of the first bachelor’s degree
- Coordinated onboarding and support services to promote debt-free bachelor’s degree completion
The program will officially launch in Spring Semester 2026. “Launch” means that the program will be available for eligible Columbus State graduates who complete their associate degrees in Spring Semester 2026 and transfer with funding to Ohio State's Columbus campus in fall 2026.
Eligibility
There is no separate application for the Buckeye Bridge program.
To start, apply for Columbus State following our Get Started Guide. Once you're a student, talk to your academic advisor for more information.
To qualify, students must:
- Be an Ohio resident
- Complete an associate degree at Columbus State
- File the FAFSA annually by the priority deadline
- Maintain full-time enrollment and satisfactory academic progress at Ohio State
- Have a family adjusted gross income of $100,000 or less, verified through FAFSA
Students must be able to file a FAFSA and qualify for Ohio residency.
No, there are no age restrictions.
Students enrolled at Columbus State can be either full time or part time while pursuing their associate degree. But they must maintain full-time enrollment when they transfer to Ohio State.
Circumstances vary from student to student; students dropping to part time may not lose Buckeye Bridge funding but could have a responsibility to repay financial aid funds to the university or federal government.
If a student’s annual adjusted gross income rises above $100,000 (as determined by FAFSA), they will no longer qualify for the Buckeye Bridge program. Students should work with Ohio State financial aid advisors to explore other aid options based on need.
College Credit Plus students who complete their associate degree as undergraduate students at Columbus State are eligible provided they meet the remaining criteria for Buckeye Bridge.
No. Students may not be enrolled at Ohio State simultaneously to earning the associate degree at Columbus State.
Transient Students are students who take classes at Columbus State while enrolled at another college, like over the summer.
To qualify for Buckeye Bridge, students earn an associate degree from Columbus State, then transfer to Ohio State.
So students are welcome to come back and take more classes at Columbus State while enrolled at Ohio State, although the cost of those classes would not be covered by Buckeye Bridge.
Enrollment & Timing
Students are expected to transfer within (3) three semesters after completing their degree. Summer semester is included in those three semesters.
Eligible students have three semesters following completion of the associate degree to transfer AND begin using the Buckeye Bridge funding, except for summer semesters.
No. The funding only applies to Fall and Spring semesters, in accordance with Ohio State’s financial aid awarding structure. There may be other funding sources at Ohio State for summer study and students should work with the Financial Aid office at Ohio State to learn more.
No. Students approved for a university leave of absence may pause and then return to use any remaining semesters of eligibility.
Grant Details
- Full tuition and mandatory fees (instructional, general, student activity, student union, recreational and COTA fees) for up to 8 semesters (or until graduation eligibility, whichever comes first).
- Buckeye Bridge is a last-dollar award (applied after other grants/scholarships).
Yes, for up to 8 semesters, or before first bachelor’s degree is awarded, provided students:
- File the FAFSA annually
- Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) at Ohio State
- Meet the eligibility requirements listed above
Yes. The program guarantees admission to Ohio State's Columbus campus and is open to all bachelor’s degree programs. However, some majors and colleges at Ohio State have additional admission requirements or competitive processes. Admission to the Columbus campus does not automatically guarantee entry into those selective programs (e.g., Nursing, Engineering, or Business)
Contacts & Next Steps
University Transfer Center (Aquinas Hall, Room 126)
- Email: transferinfo@cscc.edu
- Website: University Transfer Center
Academic Advising
- By appointment: Advising Services
- Drop-in: Advising Central (Aquinas Hall, Room 116)
Telephone Information Center
- Phone: (614) 287-5353
Information Sessions will be scheduled virtually and in person. Dates will be posted on the Transfer Center website/calendar and shared in Student Updates.
Undergraduate Admissions (Student Academic Services building, 281 W. Lane Ave.)
- Email: advising@osu.edu
- Website: OSU Academic Advising
Academic Advising
- By appointment: Buckeye Link
- Drop-in: Buckeye Link (281 W. Lane Ave.)
Telephone Information Center
Phone: (614) 292-3980
Information Sessions will be scheduled virtually and in person. Connect with an admissions counselor via Zoom (passcode: transfer) on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.