The Ohio College Comeback is designed for students who want to return to Stark State College or any Compact college but who owe money from a previous term.

Once you are deemed eligible for the program, your account holds are lifted and transcripts shared and you can enroll at Stark State or any Compact institution.

After you successfully complete one semester, the College will forgive up to $2,500 of debt. You may qualify for up to $5,000 in forgiveness by completing two semesters or earning a degree or certificate.

Compact colleges and universities will forgive your debt no matter which Compact institution holds your outstanding balance. Compact schools include:

• Stark State College
• Cleveland State University
• Cuyahoga Community College
• Kent State University
• Lakeland Community College
• Lorain County Community College
• University of Akron
• Youngstown State

To be eligible you

• must have been enrolled in one of the Compact’s participating institutions, with the most recent enrollment at least two terms (at least one spring and one fall) prior to the next available term in which you can enroll.
• must owe a certified debt of $5,000 or less to one previously attended Compact institution (but not more than one institution).
• must have debt that is certified to the Office of the Attorney General and not assigned to a special counsel.
• cannot currently be involved in bankruptcy proceedings.
• cannot currently be enrolled in an associate or bachelor’s degree or certificate program at any Compact institution or non-participating institution.
• cannot previously have received the maximum debt cancellation through the Compact.

For more information and to review the FAQs, visit the Ohio College Comeback website.

During the semester you must

• meet with an academic counselor
• complete at least one academic term
• earn six credits towards an associate degree or certificate program

Ready to apply?

Complete the form on the Ohio College Comeback website.

Contact Melanie Carr at mcarr@starkstate.edu or 330-494-6170 ext. 4242.