The state of Ohio is known for its state parks, farmland, and its nickname is the “Buckeye State.” Ohio is a great location to attend college because it strives to provide various ways to reduce the costs of pursuing higher education. The Ohio Board of Regents administers state financial aid for postsecondary education to eligible colleges and universities.
Students seeking to apply for Ohio state school grants and other types of financial assistance must complete the required Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the established deadlines. Applicants must also be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and residents of Ohio.
Various Ohio state grants are available:
Choose Ohio First Scholarship
State scholarship program established to recruit and keep talented students in Ohio who are pursuing degree programs in medicine, mathematics, science, engineering, and technology. Students must intend to enroll or currently enrolled in eligible degree programs, have at least a 3.0 GPA, and score at least a 27 Math ACT score or 620 Math SAT score. The awards are available to students enrolled at participating postsecondary institutions in Ohio.
The award amounts vary from about $1,500 to $5,200 per recipient, per academic year. Recipients of the scholarship must maintain at minimum of 3.0 cumulative GPA and participate in hands-on activities that provide real-life practical experience such as internships, research, or service learning.
Ohio College Opportunity Grant
Offers funds to residents of Ohio who are enrolled in undergraduate programs leading to an associate’s or first bachelor’s degree at public universities and private colleges and universities in Ohio. To qualify for the grant, students must demonstrate significant financial need and would be unable to pursue higher education without financial assistance.
The amount of awards varies on enrollment status (full-time or half-time) and type of institution, but the maximum amount for full-time students is $428 per semester. Recipients are able to receive up to 10 semesters of state need-based assistance.
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Ohio Academic Scholarship
A merit-based program that offers financial assistance to high school graduates who demonstrate academic excellence. Students must enroll full-time in an undergraduate program at public colleges or universities in Ohio. The program offers up to $2,205 per academic year for up to four years of education. Additionally, the program offers incentives for students who choose to stay in the state of Ohio.
Every year, at least one scholarship is granted to a student from a participating chartered high school that submits an electronic application by the deadline. High school GPA and scores from standardized tests determine eligibility for the scholarship.
Ohio National Guard Scholarship
Grant program that provides members of the Ohio National Guard with 100 percent financial assistance of tuition and fees at state institutions of higher learning and the equivalent amount at private colleges and universities. Applicants must be currently enlisted in the Ohio National Guard and not already have a bachelor’s degree. Recipients must be enrolled either full-time or part-time for a minimum of three credit hours of courses in a single semester at a two-year or four-year institution of higher learning that grants degrees.
Ohio Safety Officers College Memorial Fund
Program that offers financial assistance to children and spouses of fire fighters, peace officers, and other safety personnel who lost their lives while on duty in any location in the U.S. It also offers assistance to children and spouses of members of the U.S. armed services who were killed during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, or other combat area selected by the President of the U.S. Recipients are able to enroll either full- or part-time at any participating institution of higher learning in Ohio.
The award covers full tuition and fees at public institutions and a portion of the costs at private colleges and universities.
Ohio War Orphans Scholarship
Programs that provides financial assistance to individuals of deceased or very disabled veterans of Ohio who served in the U.S. military during times of war. Recipients must be under 25 years of age and enrolled on a full-time basis at eligible postsecondary institutions in Ohio. Prior recipients of the scholarship must maintain at least a 2.0 GPA to receive assistance for additional academic terms.
The program covers up to 80 percent of tuition and fees at public institutions and up to $4,797 per year at private colleges and universities.
Ohio Third Frontier Internship Program
Program that strives to create a group of gifted employees for businesses in Ohio. It connects students in Ohio with rewarding internship opportunities with private businesses in Ohio. The program seeks students enrolled in degree programs that feature high-tech curricula such as physical sciences, mathematics, computer sciences, and engineering.
Applicants must be at least in their sophomore year of an undergraduate program or enrolled in graduate school and have a minimum GPA of 2.5. Students in Ohio who are enrolled in a two-year technical institution or community college or four-year college or university may be able to receive up to $6,000 over a period of 12 months. The program also offers up to 50 percent reimbursement of a recipient’s wages, with a maximum of $3,000 for period of 12 months.
Nurse Education Assistance Loan Program
Program established by the Ohio General Assembly that offers two programs, one for future nurses and one for future nurse instructors. The future nurses program offers financial assistance to nursing students in Ohio who are enrolled at least half time in an undergraduate nursing program approved by the state. The program offers assistance for individuals who intend to work as nurses following graduation.
The amount of awards for future nurses varies, but is around $1,500 per year. The future nurse instructors program offers financial assistance to registered nurses who are pursuing post-licensure master’s degree nursing programs. The amount of awards for future nurse educators is a minimum of $5,000 per year. To qualify for 100 percent loan cancellation, future nurses must work as a full-time in the state of Ohio for at least five years and future nurse instructors must work for at least four years.
Students must fully understand that Ohio state grants must only be used toward the costs and fees of attending Ohio institution of higher learning. Related costs include tuition, fees, books, transportation, and room and board.
For individuals looking for additional information about Ohio state grants and other financial aid, the Ohio Higher Education website (www.ohiohighered.org) provides a wealth of helpful facts and information.
