What is UCAN?
In 2006 the Scioto Foundation board and staff were very interested in economic development. While gathering data and conducting research, they discovered the Kalamazoo Promise, a community scholarship program established by a group of anonymous donors pledging up to 100% financial support for Kalamazoo, MI public school graduate to attend college. The first of its kind, the Kalamazoo Promise was touted as a venture in economic development based on the rationale that if more students received postsecondary education, this new highly educated community could spark renewed prosperity.
After hearing of the Kalamazoo Promise, the board and staff of the Scioto Foundation worked to establish a "promise" of its own. Our promise, University/College Access Network (UCAN), would not start with a billion dollars in donations. It would begin small and grow over time through the work of a "network" of dedicated individuals sharing a common vision, "One day every student in our surrounding area will have the resources to attend the college of his or her choice". We hoped that small starts would bring great things.
UCAN Services
UCAN was officially launched in 2008 as a program to help students plan, prepare, and pay for college. The Scioto Foundation supplied the vision and on-going funding, and the UCAN advisory committee comprised of all 12 Scioto County school districts and the South-Central Ohio ESC led the work effort. In 2019 the Scioto Foundation welcomed schools from neighboring districts to the program. Members include Manchester, Wellston, Jackson, Symmes Valley, Ironton Catholic, South Point and Ironton City schools. UCAN is now 19 districts strong.
Challenge grants
The Foundation continues to offer challenge grants to all UCAN Scholarship Funds. The Scioto Foundation will match $50,000 for the 2025/2026 school year and will increase the match by $10,000 every year until the 2027/2028 school year, marking the 20th anniversary of the program. The Scioto Foundation will match all donations to UCAN Scholarship Funds from September 1 through August 31. The match ratio depends upon the amount of donations received. For example, contributions of $100,000 during the 2025/2026 school year would generate a match of .50c on the dollar.
College preparedness
The Scioto Foundation will continue to offer $2,000 mini-grants to all participating UCAN schools for college preparedness activities. These funds are to support or offset costs for students and families and can provide full or partial support for AP, ACT, or PSAT exam fees. ACT prep programs, however, must show evidence of student participation and outcome. In addition, monies can be requested to defray expenses, such as transportation or food, needed to take students on a college visit or visits. Since 2009, total UCAN mini-grant awards equal $329,826.
Paying for College
The Scioto Foundation offers approximately $1M yearly in scholarship awards to local students. Applications are on-line at www.sciotofoundation.org. The application is available each year on November 1, and the deadline to complete scholarships is on January 31, @ 5pm. The Foundation staff will continue to work with all UCAN Schools to encourage future scholarship donations.
One-on-One College Coaching
The Scioto Foundation employs a UCAN College Coach, Christy Wilcox, to assist schools in helping students to prepare for college. She can speak to students in groups or one-on-one to assist with student college or career plans. To request a visit with Christy please e-mail her at Christy@thesciotofoundation.org. Annually, the Scioto Foundation raffles (10) $500 scholarships to students who participate in the UCAN College Coaching program. The Raffle typically takes place in March and for every coaching session, students will receive an entry ticket.
Congratulations to the raffle winners of a $500 UCAN 2026/2027 scholarship! We will send notification to students in May with information on how to receive their scholarship.
- Devyn Gilliland – Wheelersburg
- Elijah Kasper – Portsmouth West
- Maxwell Bell – Portsmouth West
- Isaak Tipton – Portsmouth West
- Shelby Spradlin – Northwest
- Maddix Spriggs – Northwest
- Gavin Jenkins – Northwest
- Korinne Kauffman – Wellston
- Olivia Ramey – Portsmouth
- Lainey Howard – Minford
Establishing High School Endowment Funds
Scioto Foundation offers endowment opportunities for named funds, including scholarship funds.
Apply for a UCAN Internship or Become a Host Site
To be eligible for a UCAN Internship, students must indicate an interest in an internship on their most recent Scioto Foundation Scholarship application. Those who indicate an interest will receive an application in November with a deadline to apply at the end of the following January. A limited number of students will have the opportunity to participate in a six-week work environment at a local nonprofit organization or governmental agency.