TOLEDO, Ohio — Hope Toledo, the nonprofit program that once made headlines by offering to fully fund college tuition, books, and housing for Scott High School graduates, is now under scrutiny as questions about funding and student support mount.
A board meeting scheduled for Monday afternoon may provide long-awaited clarity on the program’s financial health and its ability to fulfill its commitments to students.
Launched in 2020 by businessman and philanthropist Pete Kadens, Hope Toledo was hailed as a transformative initiative. The program initially pledged to cover all college expenses for the Scott High School Class of 2020 and later extended the same offer to the Class of 2021. It was backed by a mix of funding sources, including the ProMedica Ebeid Neighborhood Promise, the Kadens Family Foundation, and contributions from community and corporate donors.
However, recent developments have raised red flags. Several students reported being locked out of class registration due to unpaid tuition bills. Earlier this week, three students at Mercy College were unable to register because of an outstanding balance of $11,000. Kadens personally stepped in to cover that amount on Wednesday, allowing those students to move forward with their education.
Board President Dr. Kadee Anstadt is now leading an internal review to better understand the program’s financial obligations and ensure that no additional students fall through the cracks. She told WTOL’s I-TEAM that board members are committed to gathering all relevant data, including detailed financial records and individual student progress reports, before deciding next steps.
“What we want is a clear picture of where every student stands, financially and academically, so we can support them appropriately,” Anstadt said.
Meanwhile, uncertainty lingers at Lourdes University, where students were also reportedly barred from registering due to unpaid balances. One student told reporters Thursday that she received word she would be allowed to register next week and re-enter the housing lottery. However, the university has not confirmed that information.
Hope Toledo has not yet provided a full account of how many students have been affected or how much money is still owed across participating institutions. Monday’s board meeting is expected to address those concerns.
As the community awaits answers, the future of the Hope Toledo Promise — once seen as a beacon of opportunity for Toledo’s youth — now hangs in the balance.