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Ohio Financial Aid
For information on scholarships, grants, work-study opportunities, loans, and loan forgiveness programs contact:
Ohio Department of Higher Education
25 South Front Street
Columbus, OH 43215
614-466-6000
Choose Ohio First Scholarship Program
This program aims to recruit and retain talented Ohio students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education fields.
Award — Funding is provided to colleges and universities to support students in innovative STEM programs. All scholarship decisions are made by the individual participating colleges and universities.
For additional information and a list of participating schools visit highered.ohio.gov/initiatives/affordability/choose-ohio-first/cof-institutions
College Adoption Grant
Eligibility — resident of Ohio, adopted on or after January 1, 2023, enrolled at a qualifying institution.
Award — a one-time award of $2,500, which can be applied to the total cost of attendance at a qualifying institution.
Forever Buckeyes
Eligibility — any public or private Ohio high school graduate who leaves the state but returns to enroll in an undergraduate or graduate program at an Ohio public college and also establishes residency in Ohio.
Forever Buckeyes removes a previously required 12-month waiting period after establishing residency in Ohio before you would become eligible for in-state tuition rates.
Award — student pays the in-state resident tuition rate at all state institutions of higher education within the University System of Ohio.
For additional information contact the Ohio Department of Higher Education.
Governor’s Merit Scholarship (GMS)
Eligibility — resident of Ohio and in the top 5 % of their class who is enrolling at a qualifying institution of higher education.
Award — up to $5,000 each academic year for up to four years.
Grow Your Own Teacher Scholarship Program
Recipients of the Grow Your Own Scholarship agree to teach for a minimum of four years at their home school district in exchange for a scholarship of up to $7,500 per year for four years.
John R. Justice Student Loan Repayment Program
Eligibility — state and federal public defenders and state prosecutors who agree to remain employed as public defenders and prosecutors for at least three years.
Award — loan repayment assistance for state and Federal student loans.
For additional information, call 614-466-3561.
Nurse Education Assistance Loan Program (NEALP)
Eligibility — Ohio students enrolled for at least half-time study (or accepted for enrollment) in an approved Ohio pre-licensure nurse education program and who intend to work as a nurse after graduation.
Award — the maximum award has been $1,650 per year based on financial need, renewable for up to four years. In exchange for monies received, the recipient must agree to work as a full-time registered nurse in the state of Ohio for a minimum of five years. Students must complete the FAFSA to be considered.
Due to limited funding available and the continued abundance of practicing LPNs, NEALP will once again make awards only to RN and nurse instructor candidates.
NEALP does not automatically renew; students need to reapply annually.
For additional information, call 614-466-3561.
Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG)
Eligibility — Ohio residents in an associate’s degree, first bachelor’s degree, or nurse diploma program at an eligible Ohio institution with an SAI (Student Aid Index) of $3,750 or less and a maximum household income of $96,000.
Award — maximum award is $5,000 for use at a private institution and $4,000 for Ohio public colleges and universities. Awards are prorated for part-time enrollment.
For additional information contact the high school guidance office or the college financial aid office.
Ohio Safety Officers College Memorial Fund
Eligibility — legal residents who are the children or spouses, or qualified former spouse of Ohio peace officers, firefighters, and certain other safety officers who were killed in the line of duty anywhere in the United States.
Assistance is also available to children and spouses of a member of the armed services of the United States who has been killed in the line of duty during Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or a combat zone designated by the President of the United States. A student is only eligible for this program if he/she is not eligible for the Ohio War Orphans Scholarship.
Award — the Fund will provide benefits which cover 100% instructional and student fee charges at public colleges and universities and a portion of these charges at private colleges and universities enrolled in an associate’s or bachelor’s degree program.
The fund will also cover tuition and general fee charges (not to exceed $8,000 per academic year) at public and private post-secondary education institutions for students enrolled in a certificate program
For an application or additional information contact the Ohio Department of Higher Education State Grants and Scholarships Department.
Ohio War Orphan & Severely Disabled Veterans' Scholarship
Eligibility — legal residents of Ohio, under the age of 25, enrolled in full-time undergraduate study and pursuing an associate or bachelor’s degree at an eligible Ohio college or university who are children of Ohio veterans who died or were severely disabled as a result of service in the armed forces during a period of declared war or conflict.
Award — award amount varies from year to year based on the number of eligible applications (for the 2023-2024, school year, WOS covered 83% of tuition and general fees at public colleges and universities and awarded $6,490 to applicants attending private colleges or universities).
For an application or additional information contact the Ohio Department of Higher Education State Grants and Scholarships Department, high school guidance offices, veterans service offices and college Financial Aid Offices.
Ohio Work Ready Grant (OWRG)
Eligibility — Ohio residents who demonstrate the highest levels of financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Eligible students must be enrolled in a qualified program at an Ohio community college, an Ohio technical center, or a state university branch campus.
Award — maximum yearly award: up to $3,000 per academic year for full-time degree seeking students.
Up to $2,000 per academic year for part-time degree seeking students
Up to $2,000 for students enrolled in a short-term certificate or industry recognized credential program
Ohio National Guard Scholarship Program (ONGSP)
Eligibility — ONG Members in an active six-year or more enlistment with the Ohio National Guard (Includes Active Guard/Reserve) who have not yet received a bachelor’s degree.
The scholarship is for members of both the Ohio Army and Air National Guard.
The scholarship encourages young Ohioans to go to school in Ohio and serve in the Ohio National Guard.
Award — 100 percent of tuition and general fees at state universities or the equivalent amount at private institutions with a lifetime maximum of 96 Educational Units (four years, full-time), of tuition assistance toward an undergraduate degree at a participating Ohio school during their enlistment.
Eligible ONG Members (Includes Active Guard/Reserve) with at least three years of prior service are awarded a maximum of 48 Educational Units (two years, full-time).
Applications and information:
888-400-6484 /614-440-5379
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