COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP): Ohio State University and the city of Columbus are leading a partnership that will provide free tuition to 100 early childhood teachers.

Ohio State President Michael Drake and Mayor Andrew Ginther were joined by officials of President Barack Obama’s administration in announcing the $3.9 million scholarship pipeline Thursday at a south Columbus learning center.

Drake says the scholarship program will allow pre-K teachers who already have an associate’s degree to finish earning bachelor’s degrees at Ohio State.

It’s part of Ohio State’s Early Head Start Partnership that provides education, health and community support for children and families in at-risk neighborhoods.

Other partners in the program include Columbus State Community College and Action for Children, a private nonprofit that provides child care and early learning information and resources.