Teen Graduates High School with Free College Degree

Addyston Knauff finished high school last May with something most graduates won't have for years: a completed college degree and zero student debt.

Through Southern State Community College's College Credit Plus program, Knauff earned her entire Associate of Arts while still attending Hillsboro City Schools in Ohio. She started as a high school sophomore, taking college courses that counted for both her diploma and her degree at the same time.

"I knew attending Southern State was the right option for me on the first day of class," Knauff said. The decision was driven by one clear goal: getting ahead on her education without the crushing cost.

CCP programs let middle and high school students in Ohio earn college credits free of charge. Knauff didn't have to choose between college work and being a normal teenager either. She kept her part-time job and stayed involved in community programs while completing her degree coursework.

The college's support systems made the challenging workload manageable. Learning Services and the Accessibility Program helped her balance everything without burning out.

Why This Inspires

Knauff's story shows what's possible when education barriers come down. She graduated high school already two years into her college career, saving thousands in tuition and setting herself up for early career entry.

She's now at Wilmington College pursuing a bachelor's degree in agricultural leadership and communications with a business minor. Thanks to her Southern State credits, she's on track to finish that four-year degree early too. She even had room to enroll in Southern State's real estate program on the side.

Ohio's Transfer 36 initiative guarantees that credits from associate degrees transfer fully to any public university in the state. That means students like Knauff don't lose progress when they continue their education.

Her advice to students considering early college? "Go for it. It's challenging, but it's worth it."

Programs like CCP are changing what's possible for students willing to take on college-level work early. They graduate with options, not debt.