MHEC Awards Ohio Department of Higher Education $250,000 Grant to Increase College-Going Rates

October 13, 2026

The Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC) has awarded the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) a $250,000 Strategic Impact and Innovation Grant to strengthen access to and clarity about Ohio Direct Admission, an initiative that allows seniors at participating high schools to learn which colleges and universities have admitted them before they even apply.

ODHE will use the grant to develop a cohesive suite of resources, including a user-friendly website, that increases understanding of Ohio Direct Admission and reduces the complexity of the admissions process for students, families, counselors, and school staff.

“Under the leadership of Governor Mike DeWine, we have made it a priority to keep more of our best and brightest students right here in Ohio, the heart of it all,” said ODHE Chancellor Mike Duffey. “Ohio Direct Admission helps us do just that, allowing students who meet a college’s requirements to receive an offer of admission without even having to apply. These are students who have already made the grade and earned admission on the merits, and we want to make the process the absolute easiest and most user-friendly experience it can possibly be.”

Specifically, ODHE will use the funding to:

  • Provide students and families with easy-to-use tools to understand Ohio Direct Admission;
  • Support counselors at participating schools with ready-to-use, high-quality communication resources;
  • Promote consistent statewide messaging across participating districts; and
  • Increase the likelihood that students engage with admission opportunities and continue their education after high school.

“We were impressed by the clarity of this application and its alignment of postsecondary education and workforce needs,” said Susan G. Heegaard, MHEC President. “We also appreciated the Ohio Department of Higher Education’s plan to collaborate with numerous partners to develop content and improve the user experience. We look forward to the results of this focused effort.”

MHEC’s Strategic Impact and Innovation Grants support high-impact, collaborative initiatives that address state needs and align with the MHEC’s vision to strengthen postsecondary education and advance regional economic vitality. Each of MHEC’s member states can apply for a grant for up to $250,000.

About MHEC

MHEC brings together leaders from midwestern states to develop cost-sharing opportunities, generate collaborative solutions to challenges and opportunities in higher education, and align postsecondary education to improve individual career readiness and regional economic vitality. Member states are Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. More information is available at www.mhec.org.

Information

For more information about the grant, contact Carrie Wandler, senior director of policy initiatives at MHEC.