Scholarships and Grant Opportunities Abound

There are many educational opportunities in Ohio, but they all cost money. It can seem difficult to cover the costs of tuition, especially if you live paycheck to paycheck or are a young person just entering adulthood. You don't need to let the cost of college keep you from the education that you need to reach your goals. Financial aid is available, both through the federal government, and through Ohio-specific grants and scholarships.

Merit Based Aid

If you are a senior in high school that has done well academically, you might be eligible for the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship program. It provides $1,500 a year for college, for up to four years. Recipients are chosen based on standardized test scores, grade point average, class rank, and activities that you participated in during high school. You can also apply if you got a high score on your General Education Development (GED) test. There are many other local merit based scholarships, so check with a high school guidance counselor, community college office, or library to find what you are eligible for.

Need Based Aid

If finances are keeping you from attending college in Ohio, you will probably be eligible for need-based aid. One Ohio program that you can look into is the Ohio College Opportunity Grant. This grant is offered to Ohio residents that are obtaining a degree or a nurse diploma. There are maximum Expected Family Contribution (EFC) requirements, and also maximum income requirements. You can find out your EFC by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You will want to fill out the FAFSA anyway, in order to be eligible for federal programs, like Pell Grants and Subsidized Stafford loans.

Other Ohio Opportunities

There are other financial aid opportunities that are only available to Ohio residents. The Ohio War Orphans Scholarship is available to children of Ohio veterans who were in the military and were killed or severely disabled during war or armed conflict. If your parent or spouse was a police officer, safety officer, or firefighter that was killed in the line of duty, you may be eligible for the Ohio Safety Officers College Memorial Fund. Children and spouses of active duty military members who were killed in certain war zones may also be eligible for this scholarship, if they are not eligible for the Ohio War Orphans Scholarship. If you plan to become a nurse or teach nursing, you may be eligible for the Nurse Education Assistance Loan Program. You should also look for local scholarships and grants. These can be found at high school guidance offices, online, at libraries, and at college financial aid offices.