Hats off to Cincinnati Bengal Ted Karras and The Cincy Hat Foundation
Karras and foundation are awarding scholarships to UC Transition and Access Pathway Students
The University of Cincinnati's Transition and Access Pathways (TAP) program is proud to announce the very first scholarship awardees from The Cincy Hat Foundation. Started by Cincinnati Bengal Ted Karras, the foundation funds innovative programs to support adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to live their best lives possible. Karras has been a vocal advocate for inclusion and equal access to education, employment and housing for people with disabilities, and when he heard about TAP there was no stopping The Cincy Hat from supporting these students with their Scholarship Series hats.
TAP, one of four programs in the IDD Education Center, is a four-year college certificate program for students with IDD where students fully embrace college life by living, working, learning and leading on UC's campus, becoming independent and active members of the Bearcat community. This four-year scholarship will allow students to pursue higher education without financial barriers, marking a significant milestone in their academic and personal journeys.
Mariah Eaves and Jessica Neal are the first awardees and both expressed immense gratitude and excitement upon learning of their scholarships. Eaves thoughtfully shared, “Getting the scholarship means a lot. I’m thankful! I have been really stressed about how I was going to pay for college, and now my worries are gone!” Neal also stated, “I feel so grateful and so blessed that Ted Karras is willing to help me pay for college. I’m so excited to go to UC and discover new job opportunities I want in the future.”
Eaves and Neal will have access to all the resources and support they need to succeed during their time at UC. This includes personalized academic advising, career counseling and opportunities to engage in the vibrant campus community.
Bengals player Ted Karras and The Cincy Hat Foundation will be awarding scholarships to students of the UC TAP program. Image/CECH Marketing
“We are thrilled and deeply grateful for this incredible support from Ted Karras and The Cincy Hat,” said Katie Norland, TAP Director.
“This scholarship represents more than financial support; it embodies hope, opportunity and a commitment to inclusivity. It sends a powerful message that students with intellectual and developmental disabilities belong in higher education, and they have the potential to thrive,” says Norland.
TAP is designed to provide students with IDD the skills and experiences needed for independent living, employment and community engagement. The program offers a comprehensive college experience, including academic courses, internships and social activities, all tailored to support the individual needs of each student.
And this is just the beginning! The Cincy Hat has re-launched its offering of Black and Red hats, naming the collection "The Scholarship Series." All profits from Black and Red hat sales will go to support current and future TAP program scholarships, breaking down barriers to higher education and promoting inclusion.
We hope The Cincy Hat Foundation can help fund many more scholarships to bring this amazing program to more students and families that can't afford it.
Ted Karras Cincinnati Bengals, The Cincy Hat
"I'm so honored to partner with the University of Cincinnati TAP program to help these incredibly talented young adults with IDD receive academic and vocational training to thrive," says Karras, who added, "We hope The Cincy Hat Foundation can help fund many more scholarships to bring this amazing program to more students and families that can't afford it."
Hats off to Karras and The Cincy Hat Foundation for this generous contribution and advocating for the importance of partnerships between educational institutions and organizations that share a vision for equity and inclusion.
About the Cincy Hat
Ted Karras created the original Cincy Hat as a gift for his new teammates after his signing with the Bengals. The hats became a viral sensation and Karras saw an opportunity to turn the hat demand into something positive. The Cincy Hat brand was started in late 2022 as a fundraiser for Village of Merici in Indianapolis, an independent living and services provider for adults with IDD. The TAP program scholarships are the first Cincinnati-based partnership of the foundation as they expand their impact to benefit to the local Ohio community.
The Cincy Hat has sold over 50,000 hats thus far and has recently expanded its product offerings to sunglasses, t-shirts and jerseys.
For more information about how The Cincy Hat supports adults with disabilities, please visit this website.
For more information, please contact UC or The Cincy Hat.
Feature photo at top provided by CECH Marketing.
About the IDD Education Center
The Transition and Access Pathways (TAP) program is a four-year college education for students with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) that embraces the University of Cincinnati’s strategic direction of Next Lives Here making a positive impact on the world, promoting diversity and inclusion. TAP is a full-time program designed for students between 18-26 years of age who have completed their high school requirements. TAP is emerging as a leader in creating an authentic inclusive living-learning opportunity that builds career skills, academic achievement, personal responsibility, social networks, and a promising future. TAP students live on campus or commute and earn a university recognized certificate upon completion of the four-year program.
Visit the TAP website to learn more. For more information about the School of Education, please visit the school’s website.
Contact the College of Education, Criminal Justice, Human Services, and Information Technology.
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