The Ohio College Access Network (OCAN) was founded in 1999, by KnowledgeWorks Foundation, in collaboration with the Ohio Board of Regents and Ohio Department of Education. OCAN is an independent 501 (c)(3) organization that provides leadership and support for Ohio college access organizations while working closely with the aforementioned partners and the Ohio Business Roundtable to help increase the college going rate in the state.

OCAN is the first statewide coordinating body for college access programs in the nation. The organization is focused on helping Ohio residents pursue postsecondary education by building and supporting (through hands on technical assistance, professional development and grant opportunities) local college access programs throughout the state. Currently, 35 college access programs serve nearly 205 of Ohio's 612 school districts, touching 173,000 students annually.

College access organizations are community-based, non-profit organizations designed to increase the number of students who pursue education beyond high school with a particular focus on low income and first generation college students. The mission of these organizations is to open the doors to postsecondary education by providing financial aid and college application advising, last dollar scholarships, college visit opportunities, entrance exam courses and career guidance.