Resource Category: Education

Ohio’s ASPIRE (Adult Education Services)

About ASPIRE:
Ohio’s ASPIRE (Adult Education Services) programs provide free adult basic education, high school equivalency (HSE/GED) preparation, English language instruction, workplace readiness, and career transitions supports to adult learners throughout Ohio. These services are operated locally and supported by the Ohio Department of Higher Education.

Official Program Links

Who ASPIRE Serves

ASPIRE is designed for adult learners (typically 16+ and no longer enrolled in secondary school) who need support in:

Note: Local ASPIRE programs may have specific eligibility details — contact your local provider for exact enrollment requirements.

Statewide Contact Information

If you want statewide support or help locating an ASPIRE program near you:

Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE)

Mailing Address:
25 South Front Street
Columbus, OH 43215

General Phone: (614) 466-6000
Fax: (614) 466-5866

Direct ASPIRE Program Contact (Student Inquiry)

Ohio Aspire’s general student contact for program info and enrollment support:
Phone: 833-8ASPIRE (833-827-7473)
Accessible statewide for basic assistance and next-steps guidance.

Local ASPIRE Program Examples

Local programs operate within communities across Ohio — each offers FREE classes and support services. Here are examples of direct contacts from local programs (programs vary by county/community):

Columbus City Schools – Aspire (HSE/ESL)

Eastern Ohio ASPIRE (Jefferson County Educational Service Center)

Aspire – Pike County (Adult Education)

(These local programs are part of the statewide ASPIRE network funded and overseen by Ohio’s Department of Higher Education.)

What You Can Do with ASPIRE

Participants can use the ASPIRE program to:
✅ Improve basic academic skills (reading/writing/math)
✅ Prepare for Ohio High School Equivalency exams (GED/HiSET)
✅ Learn or improve English (ESOL)
✅ Build workplace literacy, job skills, and computer skills
✅ Plan for post-secondary education or employment opportunities

How to Get Started

  1. Visit the ASPIRE Overview page:
    https://highered.ohio.gov/educators/workforce-adult-ed/aspire/aspire-overview
  2. Find local ASPIRE program locations & offerings:
    https://highered.ohio.gov/educators/workforce-adult-ed/aspire/aspire-locations
  3. Contact the program directly using the numbers and emails above.
  4. Attend orientation and enroll at a local provider site that serves your county.

995 Hope Foreclosure & Financial Counseling

Free Housing & Financial Support Hotline

If you’re behind on mortgage payments, facing foreclosure, or need help understanding your housing and financial options, 995 Hope offers free counseling and planning support. Their trained, HUD-certified housing counselors work with homeowners (and renters in some cases) to assess your financial situation, explore alternatives, and build a personalized action plan. You can also get help with budgeting, debt management, homebuying education, and navigating challenging mortgage situations.

Services include:

Hope Hotline (Housing & Foreclosure Counseling): 1-888-995-4673
Debt Counseling Hotline: 1-866-481-1720
Website: https://995hope.org
Hours: 24/7 access by phone; language support available.

Who can call:
Homeowners or renters who are struggling with mortgage or housing finances, including people worried about missing payments or foreclosure.

Columbus Metropolitan Library

Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML)

Category: Education & Youth Development
FACCES Pillar: Education & Empowerment
Cost: ✅ Free

Overview

Columbus Metropolitan Library offers free, child-centered learning opportunities for babies, children, and teens year-round. With welcoming neighborhood branches across Central Ohio, CML provides continuous programs that support early literacy, school success, creativity, and lifelong learning — all at no cost to families.

Child-Facing Programs (Ongoing & Free)

Continuous Support for Families

Digital Access for Students

️ Locations

20+ library locations throughout Franklin County
(Main Library: 96 S. Grant Ave, Columbus, OH 43215)

Get Connected

Website: https://www.columbuslibrary.org/
️ Library Card: Free — available online or in person

Why This Resource Matters

United Way: Success By Third Grade

Success by Third Grade

Helping Children Build Strong Reading Skills by Age 8

What Is Success by Third Grade?

Success by Third Grade is a community program led by United Way of Central Ohio that supports children and families so kids can read at grade level by the end of third grade.

We know children succeed best when their learning needs AND basic needs are supported. That’s why this program brings together schools, families, and community partners to help children thrive—inside and outside the classroom.

Why Third Grade Matters

From kindergarten through third grade, children are learning how to read.
After third grade, children are expected to read to learn.

When children fall behind in reading early, it can affect:

Strong reading skills by third grade help set children up for lifelong success.

Learning Happens Beyond the Classroom

Children learn best when they have:

Success by Third Grade helps families connect with local resources that remove barriers to learning.

How Families Are Supported

Through partnerships with schools and community organizations, families may have access to:

Each participating school district works with a local network of community partners focused on meeting family needs.

Where Success by Third Grade Is Available

This program supports families in several Central Ohio school districts:

Our Goal

Success by Third Grade is working to:

Progress is tracked through reading growth, school engagement, and access to family supports.

How Families Can Get Involved

Families can support their child’s success by:

You don’t have to do this alone — support is available.

Contact & Support

If you’d like help, have questions, or want to learn more about resources for your family, you can contact United Way of Central Ohio:

Office: United Way of Central Ohio,
215 N. Front St., Suite 600, Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614) 227-2700
✉️ General Info: info@uwcentralohio.org (for program questions, they can direct you to the right staff)

For specific Success by Third Grade involvement, partner support, or resources, ask to be connected with the Success by Third Grade team when you call or email.

Why This Matters for Your Family

When families are supported, children thrive.
Success by Third Grade helps create a community where:

Every child deserves a bright future — and every family deserves help to get there!

The Columbus Promise: Your Future Starts Now

? The Columbus Promise — Community Resource

? What It Is

The Columbus Promise is a community initiative that helps make college more affordable and achievable for graduates of Columbus City Schools (CCS). It’s a public-private partnership led by the City of Columbus, Columbus City Schools, I Know I Can, and Columbus State Community College.

? Mission

To expand access to post-secondary education, reduce financial barriers, and provide support services so CCS graduates can succeed in college and build rewarding careers.

? Who’s Eligible

? Program Benefits

As a Columbus Promise Scholar, you receive:

✔️ Tuition & fee coverage at Columbus State Community College (after federal aid and other eligible scholarships)
✔️ Up to $500 per semester for educational expenses (books, supplies, etc.)
✔️ Dedicated academic advising and career counseling
✔️ Support services to help you stay on track and succeed in college and career planning

? How It Works

To become a Columbus Promise Scholar, students typically need to:

  1. Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
  2. Apply to Columbus State Community College
  3. Submit the Columbus Promise application now – May 15, 2026

? Campus & Career Support

Columbus Promise Scholars have access to:

? Contact & Support

If you have questions:

? Why It Matters

The Columbus Promise has helped increase enrollment among Columbus City Schools graduates and boosted college access in the community. By lifting financial and informational barriers, the program supports students on their path to career success and economic opportunity.

Metro Schools

Metro Schools offers a free, public education for students from elementary through high school, combining an early college and professional learning environment. Metro provides a STEM-focused curriculum, mastery grading, and personalized support to empower success for a diverse student and family community.

Metro Early College High School was founded in 2006 and its Middle School in 2013. The Elementary School will open in fall 2025 for the 2025–26 school year. Admission is through a non-selective lottery process, making Metro accessible to all students.

✅ Programs & Highlights:

• Free, public elementary, middle, and high school education
• Non-selective lottery admission process
• STEM-focused curriculum and early college opportunities
• Mastery grading and personalized student support
• Diverse and inclusive learning community

Address: 1929 Kenny Rd, Columbus, OH 43210
Phone: (614) 949-5326
Website: https://www.themetroschool.org/o/metro-schools/page/new-admissions
Contact: Cory Neugebauer – neugebauer@themetroschool.org

Important Note:
If considering Metro Schools for your child, please apply for a spot through the lottery process. Staff are happy to answer questions or provide guidance before enrollment.

Starting Point Learning Center

Starting Point Learning Center (SPLC)’s mission is to uphold a safe, clean and healthy environment that is a home-away-from-home for the families we serve. Where children learn through play as their interest leads the teaching methods of the parent and teacher partnership.

SPLC Offers:

 Address: 2533 Lockbourne Rd. Columbus, OH 43207
 Phone: (614) 491-1914
 Website: Visit Website

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio gives every child in Ohio the gift of reading — a free book in the mail every month from birth to age five! Each book is hand-selected to be age-appropriate and engaging, helping children build early literacy skills and develop a lifelong love of reading and learning.

Families can sign up online to start receiving books right at home, at no cost.

✅ Program Highlights:

 Why It’s Special:
Reading together builds confidence, creativity, and connection. The Imagination Library ensures that every Ohio child — no matter where they live — has access to books and opportunities to grow through the joy of reading.

 Get Started:
Sign up your child today to start receiving free books in the mail: Enroll Here

Learn More:
Watch videos and hear family stories: Imagination Library Resources

Columbus Early Learning Center – Hilltop Early Learning Center

The Hilltop Early Learning Center, part of Columbus Early Learning Centers (CELC), provides free, high-quality early education and family support for children in the Hilltop community. Serving children from 6 weeks to 5 years old, CELC helps young learners build a strong foundation for kindergarten and beyond while supporting families with accessible, year-round care.

By focusing on literacy, physical wellness, and family engagement, CELC helps reduce barriers for families, empowering both children and parents to thrive. The program’s goal is simple but powerful: to help young learners develop, families succeed, and neighborhoods thrive.

✅ Programs Include:

Learn More:
Watch this short video about their impact:

Address: 240 North Champion Avenue, Columbus, OH 43203
Phone: (614) 253-5525
Website: Visit Website
Contact: Daniel Hernandez – champion@columbusearlylearning.org

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Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Ohio – Afterschool & Teen Programs

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Ohio provide safe, supportive spaces for youth ages 5 to 18 to learn, grow, and thrive outside of school hours. Through engaging afterschool and summer programs, kids and teens can explore new interests, build leadership skills, and develop healthy habits — all while being part of a positive, encouraging community.

For teens, The CLUB offers career readiness training, college preparation, mentorship, and leadership opportunities that help prepare them for their next chapter. Programs are offered at multiple locations throughout Central Ohio, including Columbus, Newark, and Marion.

✅ Programs Include:

Address: 1000 Cleveland Avenue, Columbus, OH 43201
Phone: (614) 221-8830
Website: Visit Website
Contact: Ashley Estep – info@bgccentralohio.org

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