STATE OF OHIO FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS

For more detailed information on state financial aid programs contact:

State Grants and Scholarships Department

P.O. Box 182452

Columbus, OH 43218-2452

Local: (614) 466-7420

Toll Free: (888) 833-1133

FAX: (614) 752-5903

https://www.ohiohighered.org/sgs

Please go to this website for any information you may need on each of the programs.

The following are financial aid programs available to students who are residents of the state of Ohio.

Choose Ohio First

The Choose Ohio First Scholarship program aims to recruit and retain talented Ohio students in STEM and STEM education fields.

To date, Choose Ohio First scholarships have been awarded to more than 4,000 students in 28 programs involving 41 Ohio public and private institutions. Scholarship awards range from $1,500 to $4,700 per student, per academic year.

• Participating Schools in Ohio

What’s STEM?

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine.

Why is it important?

According to a recent report by the Center on Education and the Workforce, eight million new jobs will be available in STEM-related fields by 2018. The Choose Ohio First Scholarship Program is part of the state’s strategic effort to significantly strengthen Ohio’s position in world markets such as aerospace, medicine, computer technology and alternative energy.

Nurse Education Assistance Loan Program (NEALP)

The Nurse Education Assistance Loan Program (NEALP) provides financial assistance to Ohio students enrolled for at least half-time study (or accepted for enrollment) in an approved Ohio nurse education program. NEALP provides funding for nurses who intend to serve as instructors or students who intend to serve as nurses after graduation.

• Click here for more program details and to begin the application process

Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG)

The Ohio College Opportunity Grant Program (OCOG) provides need-based tuition assistance to Ohio residents in an associate’s or bachelor’s degree or nursing diploma program attending an eligible institution. Eligible students must have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of 2190 or less with a maximum household income of $75,000.

How do I apply?

Students apply for OCOG benefits by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The application deadline is Oct. 1 of each year.

The Ohio GI Promise

In an effort to help veterans, servicemembers and their families achieve a college degree, the University System of Ohio has taken proactive steps to better serve those who have served our country.

The following are components of The Ohio GI Promise:

• In-state tuition for qualified veterans from across the country – Upon moving to Ohio, veterans with one year of honorable service (and their dependents) are immediately considered in-state residents for the purposes of tuition, state educational subsidies and financial aid. Active duty, guard, reserve servicemembers, and their families are also eligible for this educational benefit.
• The Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) Consortium – All 36 eligible Ohio public colleges and universities participate in the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) Consortium. This demonstrates their commitment to awarding college credit for education and training received during military service.
• Scholarship opportunities for veterans and their families – The Ohio GI Promise finds and promotes scholarship opportunities such as the Ohio War Orphans Scholarship, Ohio Safety Officers Memorial Fund and Ohio National Guard Scholarship. It also helps connect students with financial aid resources through the Federal GI Bill or state-based initiatives like the Ohio College Opportunity Grant.
• A network of support while attending school – The Ohio GI Promise has built a network to coordinate support for veteran students and their families by fostering relationships with and between all University System of Ohio institutions, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the Ohio Department of Veterans Services, Ohio National Guard, County Veteran Service Commissions, and state and local veterans organizations.

If you have any questions about the Ohio GI Promise, call the toll-free Hotline at 1-877-VETS-OH-1.

Ohio Safety Officers College Memorial Fund

This program provides tuition assistance to the children and spouses of peace officers, fire fighters and certain other safety officers who are killed in the line-of-duty, anywhere in the United States.

It also provides assistance to the children and spouses of a member of the armed services of the U.S., 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. The child is only eligible for this program if he/she is not eligible for the Ohio War Orphans Scholarship.

How do I apply?

Interested students should contact the Ohio Board of Regents State Grants and Scholarships Department.

Ohio War Orphans Scholarship

• Public Universities and Community Colleges: 80 percent of tuition/general fees
• Independent (non-profit) and proprietary (for-profit): $4,650 (annual award)

Students must attend full-time, and prior recipients must meet appropriate cumulative GPA requirements (minimum 2.00).

What is it? The Ohio War Orphans Scholarship Program awards tuition assistance to the children of deceased or severely disabled Ohio veterans who served in the armed forces during a period of declared war or conflict.

Who is eligible? To receive War Orphans Scholarship benefits, a student must be enrolled for full-time undergraduate study at an eligible Ohio college or university. Ohio residency is required. Applicants must be under the age of 25.

How much aid is available? Scholarship benefits cover a portion of instructional and general fee charges at two and four-year public institutions and a portion of these charges at eligible private colleges and universities.

How do I apply? Application is made to the Ohio Board of Regents/State Grants and Scholarships Department.

Where do I get an application? Click here to get the application . Applications are also available from the Ohio Board of Regents/State Grants and Scholarships Department, high school guidance offices, veterans service offices, and college Financial Aid Offices.

Is there a deadline? The application deadline is July 1 of each year.