Canton Program Sends 16 Students to College Debt-Free

Sixteen teenagers from Canton, Ohio are starting college this fall without worrying about a single tuition bill.

The Career Apprenticeship and Mentorship Program (C.A.M.P.) just helped its latest class of high school graduates secure full college funding. Out of 17 students in the program, 16 are now pursuing higher education completely debt-free.

The nonprofit started in 2012 with a simple mission: help underserved Canton City Schools students break generational poverty through education. Many become first-generation college students in their families.

Here's how it works. C.A.M.P. accepts about one-quarter of sophomore students enrolled in Canton's Early College program at McKinley High School. These students graduate with both a high school diploma and an associate's degree from Stark State College at no cost to their families.

But C.A.M.P. goes beyond just academics. The program pairs students with mentors who help them explore careers and colleges. Students get career shadowing opportunities and internships, giving them real work experience before graduation.

"It opens up doors," said Jim Pukys, C.A.M.P. assistant director. "The goal for our kids is to give them a fresh start on life, free from that burden once they graduate."

The preparation starts early. Sophomores take ACT and SAT prep courses, and this year's students boosted their ACT scores by seven to eight points on average. Those higher scores helped them land scholarships from high schools, colleges, and local organizations.

C.A.M.P. also walks families through financial aid forms and helps them understand aid packages. The nonprofit awards strategic scholarships designed to last through all four years of college.

The Ripple Effect

This year's graduating class secured $753,000 combined in scholarships, grants, and financial aid. Eight students are staying in Northeast Ohio, keeping their talents close to home. Others earned spots at prestigious schools like Carnegie Mellon University, Case Western Reserve University, and Oberlin College.

The impact doesn't end at graduation. Executive Director Touby McCammon says alumni return years later to mentor new students or seek guidance. "It's not a one-year or two-year program; this is a lifelong relationship," she said.

Some graduates have already come full circle, offering shadowing opportunities and mentorship to current C.A.M.P. students. The program is building a network of success stories, each one helping create the next.

One simple truth drives everything: removing the cost barrier opens doors that change lives forever.