COLUMBUS, Ohio — Finishing college is a major accomplishment, but getting through it all doesn't come without its own set of challenges.

Aspen Bauman, 23, knows the struggles all too well. He started out in the fall of 2016 at Ohio State majoring in biology. Little did he know he'd end up yearning for something more, which turned out to be a food science degree instead.

Thinking he could get it all done in three years, Bauman realized it wasn't going to happen that way. Taking classes while working two jobs, he began to struggle. He said working so many hours left little time to study. That led to him taking a semester off. 

Re-evaluating his plan for college, Bauman calculated that it would take him up to a year to save up tuition money for him to finish his degree. Then one day he got a call from the university about the Complete Ohio State program.

The program helps first-year, degree-seeking students with a 2.0 GPA and 30 credit hours or less to go finish what they started. It also provides additional academic resources and financial assistance for those who qualify. 

For Bauman, it was a game changer. The university picked up most of his tab, giving him room to work only one job and study. With nine hours to go, Bauman was able to complete his degree. Without the jumpstart, getting his degree would have been rough Bauman explained. Instead, “I kind of could relax and like go to work, come home (and) I had still had time to study,” he said.

Looking back, Bauman believes going through the program worth it. Now that Bauman's graduated, he's just excited to be working at a job he loves. His message for other students going through the same thing, seek help and the resources needed as soon as possible.