Media Contact: Joanne Gross (216) 443-6118, jgross@cuyahogacounty.us

Cuyahoga County, Ohio - Cuyahoga County Council announced today results of the public survey regarding the Charter-mandated post-secondary educational assistance program. The survey was conducted as a follow-up to Council’s September 13 work session at which area educational leaders addressed Council on how to best structure a program. Respondents overwhelmingly supported targeting in-demand professions for assistance, requiring recipients to attend institutions in Cuyahoga County and to commit to remaining in the region. Council will use citizen feedback in the process of establishing this important new County program. Some significant results are shown below.

• 49.1% of respondents reported that a merit-based scholarship is the most important type of financial assistance to be included in a Cuyahoga County program.
• 43.2% of respondents reported that vocational training and retraining are the most important type of post-secondary education to be included in a Cuyahoga County program.
• 88.8% of respondents reported that it is important for recipients of financial assistance to attend their post-secondary program at an institution in Cuyahoga County.
• 87.5% of respondents reported that it is important for recipients of financial assistance to remain in our region after their post-secondary training or degree program.
• 91.1% of respondents reported that it is important for a Cuyahoga County program to target “in-demand” disciplines/occupations for financial assistance awards.