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College Now speakers urge council to maintain Cuyahoga County scholarship and CTAG funding
Summary
Multiple College Now alumni and staff told Cuyahoga County Council on Oct. 28 that the County scholarship and CTAG exposure trips help at‑risk students graduate and enter careers. Speakers asked the council to preserve current allocations amid budgetary pressures, citing program outcomes and wraparound supports.
At the Oct. 28 Cuyahoga County Council meeting, College Now alumni and program staff urged council members to continue funding the County scholarship and the CTAG (College Transitional Assistance/Gateway) program.
"My name is Isaiah Orr, and I'm a proud College Now alumnus and former recipient of the Cuyahoga County scholarship," said Isaiah Orr, who described mentorship and scholarship support as decisive in his path to a career as a bank auditor. Mia Hill told the council the County scholarship allowed her to graduate debt free with three degrees and to pursue graduate study while working in higher education.
Dr. Michelle Scott Taylor, speaking with other College Now staff, said CTAG supports at‑risk students through exposure trips, mentorship, and coordination with school linkage coordinators in neighborhoods including Bedford, Cleveland Metropolitan School District (East Tech, Glenville), Cleveland Heights–University Heights, East Cleveland, Garfield, Maple, and Warrensville. She said the county expanded CTAG funding in 2018 after initial Race to the Top investments identified those schools as having low graduation rates.
Bob Durham, chief success officer for College Now Greater Cleveland, told the council the County scholarship program has served "more than 900 students" to date and reported that through the 2023–24 academic year about 78% of scholarship recipients had graduated from or remained enrolled at an Ohio college. Durham said the program pairs financial aid with emergency funds, mental health supports and mentoring to help students finish college.
Speakers framed the requests amid broader budget pressures before the council. They asked members to maintain the full allocations that support CTAG field trips and the County scholarship because, they said, the programs increase college access and yield workforce returns to the county.
Council members did not take a funding vote during public comment; subsequent budget matters were discussed later in the meeting.
