GRANTS are awarded to students in the form of gift aid and are usually based on need. Families must complete the FAFSA to be eligible for grant moneys.

Federal Academic Competitiveness Grants

Awarded to students who have completed a rigorous secondary school of study. ◦ Value: $750 for first year students.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants ( FSEOG )

Awards made by eligible institutions to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. ◦ Value: $100−4000/year determined by college. ◦ Application: FAFSA

Pell Grants

Federal grants to undergraduate students who meet eligibility requirements. ◦ Value: $400−4310/year. (The U.S. Dept. of Education uses a standard formula to determine eligibility.) ◦ Application: FAFSA

Ohio College Opportunity Grants

Need-based grants to undergraduate degree-seeking Ohio residents who meet eligibility criteria. ◦ Maximum amount: $2496 at public colleges; $4992 at private nonprofit colleges. ◦ Application: FAFSA

Ohio Student Choice Grants

Grants to full-time undergraduate students from Ohio who attend private nonprofit colleges in Ohio. Financial need is not a factor. ◦ Value: Changes each year: $900/year in 2006−2007. ◦ Application: None, it’s automatic through the college financial aid office

College Grants

Source: College. Eligibility determined by college. ◦ Value: Variable ◦ Application: Contact college financial aid office.

SCHOLARSHIPS are also gift aid (free money) but usually involve some kind of eligibility factor. There are academic scholarships, athletic scholarships, talent scholarships, and scholarships where students "compete" for money through such activities as writing essays, giving speeches, creating projects, or declaring a particular major. Some noteworthy scholarships offered in Ohio include:

Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarships

Federal awards made for academic excellence and achievement in high school. Must demonstrate outstanding academic achievement as indicated by class rank, high school grades, test scores. Leadership activities are considered in the event of an equality of scores. ◦ Renewable, four years ◦ Application: Contact high school guidance counselor.

Ohio Academic Scholarships

Merit awards, one per Ohio chartered public, private or vocational high school. Student must attend an Ohio college. ACT required. Eligibility formula consists of ACT scores and high school GPA. ◦ Application: Contact high school counselor.

Ohio Environmental Education Fund Scholarships

Scholarships for advanced students pursuing degrees in Environmental Science or Environmental Engineering at an Ohio public or private, 2-year or 4-year college or university. ◦ Value: Contact The Ohio Academy of Science ◦ Application: Contact The Ohio Academy of Science www.ohiosci.org/OESEESCHOLARSHIPS.htm

Ohio National Guard Scholarship Program (ONGSP)

Scholarships for eligible enlistees of The Ohio Army and Air National Guard. ◦ Value: Up to 100% of instructional and general fees per term for public colleges; predetermined amount for private colleges. Maximum limit of 12 full-time quarters or 8 full-time semesters, or a combination of the two. ◦ Application: Contact The Ohio National Guard Scholarship Office, 2825 W. Dublin-Granville Rd., Columbus, OH, 43235-2789, Tel: (614) 336-7143

Ohio Safety Officers College Memorial Fund

Scholarships for children under the age of 26 (or 30 if honorably discharged from the U.S. armed services) and spouse of a peace officer or firefighter who was killed in the line of duty anywhere in the U.S. Must be an Ohio resident. ◦ Value: Full tuition at public colleges; comparable $ amount at private colleges ◦ Application: Contact college financial aid office.

Ohio War Orphans Scholarships

Grants to undergraduate Ohio residents who are children of deceased or disabled veterans with wartime service (death or disability need not be a result of/or related to military service). Must be under 21 at the time of application. ◦ Value: Full tuition at public colleges; comparable $ amount at private colleges ◦ Application: High school guidance office, Ohio Board of Regents*, Veteran Service Offices or college financial aid offices.

ROTC Scholarships

Source: Military. Tuition benefits to qualifying Air Force, Army, or Navy ROTC personnel. ◦ Value: Tuition and expenses plus monthly stipend ◦ Application: Contact high school counselor or nearest ROTC office.

College Scholarships

Source: College. Eligibility determined by college. ◦ Value: Variable ◦ Application: Contact college financial aid office.

Private Scholarships

Source: Various private corporations, clubs, unions, churches, organizations. Eligibility determined by sponsoring agency. ◦ Value: Variable ◦ Application: Contact specific agency.

LOANS account for about 60% of all financial aid.

Federal Direct Loan / Federal Family Educational Loan (FFEL) Program

Subsidized and unsubsidized low interest loans to undergraduate and graduate students meeting eligibility criteria. Guaranteed by the federal government. Repayment generally begins upon completion of studies. Eligibility determined by college financial aid office. ◦ Value: Range from $3500/year (freshmen) to $5500/year (junior/senior) ◦ Application: Contact college for application materials and procedures. FAFSA must also be completed.

Federal Direct PLUS / FFEL PLUS Loans

Loans to parents of dependent undergraduate students who pass a credit check. Fixed rate interest. Repayment begins within 60 days after the loan is disbursed (several options are available). ◦ Value: Up to cost of education minus aid received ◦ Application: Contact college for application materials and procedures. FAFSA required.

Federal Perkins Loans

Low interest (5%) loan for both undergraduate and graduate students with exceptional financial need. Repayable upon completion of studies. ◦ Value: Up to $20,000 aggregate undergraduate limit, $40,000 aggregate graduate limit. ◦ Application: FAFSA

Federal Nursing Student Loan Program

Need-based loans made by the college to undergraduate nursing students with eligibility for assistance. Repayable upon completion of studies. ◦ Value: $13,000 aggregate maximum. ◦ Application: Contact college financial aid office.

Ohio Nurse Education Assistance Loan Program

Loans to students enrolled at least halftime (or accepted for enrollment) in an approved pre- or post-licensure nurse education program in Ohio. Forgiveness available for up to 100% of loan amount if employed in the clinical practice of nursing in Ohio. Fully repayable if nursing service not fulfilled. Interest rate 8%. ◦ Value: Up to $3000/year; may not exceed borrower's direct educational expenses. $12,000 aggregate maximum. ◦ Application: Contact the college financial aid office or the Ohio Board of Regents* for application materials.

Ohio Physician Loan Repayment Program

Offers repayment of student loans for physicians who agree to practice in underserved areas in Ohio with limited access to medical care. ◦ Application: Contact the Ohio Department of Health, P.O. Box 118, Columbus, OH 43266-0118.

College Loans                  

Source: College. Eligibility determined by college. ◦ Value: Variable ◦ Application: Contact college financial aid office.

Alternate Supplemental Loans

Private consumer loans available to both parents and students that can be used to help families cover the cost of education. Interest rates are variable; principal and interest typically may be deferred. Borrower or co-borrower must pass credit checks. ◦ Application: Available from lenders or college financial aid office.

EMPLOYMENT abounds on most college campuses. Some jobs are sponsored by the federal government and are part of a student's financial aid package. Others are offered by colleges themselves. Students earn minimum wage or better and usually work in libraries, dining halls, offices, and computer labs.

Ohio AmeriCorps Program

A federal program administered on the state level providing educational awards in return for part-time/full-time work in community service which can be completed before, during, or after the postsecondary education. Awards can help finance college or vocational training, or pay back student loans. Also includes living allowance, health care benefits and child care if eligible. ◦ Value: $4,725 (education); up to $8,400/year (living stipend). ◦ Application: To request a directory of participating agencies, contact the Governor's Community Service Council at (614) 728-2916.

Federal College Work-study

Work opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need. ◦ Application: FAFSA

Cooperative Education                

Source: College. Paid, career-related work experience, alternating quarters/semesters of full-time employment with quarters/semesters of full-time study. ◦ Value: Variable ◦ Application: Contact college Cooperative Education Coordinator.

Institutional Employment

Source: College. Similar to work-study, but eligibility and funding determined by the college. ◦ Value: Variable ◦ Application: Contact college financial aid office.

Internships

Source: College. Career-related work experience for one or more quarters/semesters. May be full-time or part-time, paid or unpaid. ◦ Value: Variable ◦ Application: Contact college Cooperative Education Coordinator.

OTHER

Federal Veterans Benefits

Monthly benefits to certain veterans, or children of deceased or disabled veterans. ◦ Value: Variable ◦ Application: Contact local Veterans Administration Office.

Vocational Rehabilitation

Source: State of Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission (RSC). Various services to students with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities who meet eligibility requirements. Services may include educational assistance. ◦ Value: Variable ◦ Application: Contact local RSC office or call 1-800-282-4536 voice / TTY.

* OHIO BOARD OF REGENTS
ATTN: STATE GRANTS & SCHOLARSHIPS
P.O. BOX 182452
COLUMBUS, OH 43218-2452
1-888-833-1133 (TOLL FREE)
www.regents.state.oh.us/sgs


updated 9/24/07