Ohio Student Grants for College
Fund Your Education with Free Grant Money
In today's economy, getting a college education is vital for maximum earning potential. High tuition costs, housing, textbooks, and living expenses can place a large burden on students and their families.
Financial Aid Options
One thing that can ease that burden is a college grant that pays for part or all of your schooling. Grants, scholarships, and loans offer opportunities for many to afford getting a degree. College grants, unlike loans, offer money that doesn't have to be paid back.
This allows the student to get a degree without going right into debt as they start their careers. Scholarships are closely related to grants. They often require strict grade point average requirements that have to be met and maintained.
More Information About Grants in Ohio
Grants normally do not require anything once the application process is complete and the money is rewarded. A grant is given by non-profit organizations, private donors, or the government. The money is usually tax exempt.
There are millions of dollars in grants available from federal, state, and local governments. In order to obtain a grant, the potential student must contact the donor and apply for the money. For students looking for college grants in Ohio, there are several options.
Ohio Instructional Grant (OIG)
The Ohio Instructional Grant offers between $78 and $5500 dollars in grant money to undergrad students of Ohio colleges and universities. This grant is for full-time students only. The amount of grant money rewarded is based on the needs of the individual student.
This grant is for students who come from lower income families. The amount is calculated based on the family's income and number of dependents. The money must be used for general fees and instructional costs. In order to apply for the OIG, potential students must contact the Ohio Board of Regents.
They can be reached via mail, phone, fax, or online at their website.
Learn More About OIG
Applicants should be aware that if they are awarded grant money, they may be required to refund some or all of that money in certain situations. For instance, if the student drops out of the college or falls below 12 credit hours, some money must be returned.
The amount of money that must be repaid is directly related to how much of a refund in tuition the college repays. If the student drops out at a point where 50% of their fees will be returned by the institution, then 50% of the OIG money for that term must be repaid to the Ohio Board of Regents.
Application Contact Information:
Ohio Board of Regents30 East Broad Street, 36th floor
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone Number: 614-466-6000 or 1-888-833-1133
Fax: 614-466-5866
Website: http://regents.ohio.gov/
Email: oig_admin@regents.state.oh.us
Ohio Student Choice Grant Program
The Ohio Student Choice Grant Program provides up to $900 dollars per academic year. This grant is available to all Ohio residents.
There are no academic requirements in order to be eligible. This grant is not based on need so there are no requirements based on you or your family's income. This grant is for students who are going to school full-time and seeking a Bachelor's degree.
Additional Requirements
The college or university must be a non-profit, private institution for the student to qualify for this grant. The purpose of the Ohio Student Choice Grant Program is to narrow the difference in tuition costs between Ohio's public and its non-profit, private schools and institutions.
In order for a school to be eligible it must be fully accredited by regional and professional accrediting associations. Ohio students enrolled in Baccalaureate level courses can apply for this grant money and other financial assistance with the Ohio Board of Regents. Contact information for the Ohio Board of Regents is the same as above.
Part-time Student Instructional Grant
The Part-time Student Instructional Grant is available for students who would otherwise qualify for the Ohio Instructional Grant, but who are only enrolled in 12 or less credit hours worth of courses. The award is available to U.S. citizens who are legal residents in the state of Ohio.How it Works
They must be attending an Ohio college or university part-time. The amount of money rewarded varies and is based on the students financial situation.
Many of the same standards and requirements of the OIG apply to this grant as well. This grant is renewable from academic year to year.
Potential recipients must apply with the Ohio Board of Regents by October 1st of each academic year. A financial needs analysis will be done to determine the amount of grant money awarded.
Student Workforce Development Grant
The Student Workforce Development Grant offers some financial aid to those interested in attending proprietary schools or private career colleges.
A variable number of $300 dollar grants are awarded every year. This grant is available to all Ohio residents. All high school seniors and undergraduate students are eligible. Eligibility for this grant is not based on financial status or needs. All majors are accepted.
How to Qualify
Students must be working towards an Associate or Bachelor's degree in their chosen career field. Any students who were enrolled in a career school full-time before the 2000 academic year may be disqualified from being awarded this grant money.
In order to apply and for more information, contact the career school that you plan to attend and ask for the financial aid office. For more information on eligibility and applying for this grant, call 1-888-833-1133. Email inquiries can be sent to: sminturn@regents.state.oh.us
Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG)
The Ohio College Opportunity Grant is another financial needs based grant. In order to be eligible, students must be Ohio residents that are pursuing an Associate's degree, Bachelor's degree, or a diploma from an approved nursing program.
Students must have a family income that is under $75,000 dollars per year. Students can apply for this grant by first filling out the federal student aid application. This application, know as the FAFSA for short, must be filled out before October 1st of each year.
Students that are continuously enrolled may be eligible for an additional 33% to 50% of the grant money in their final semester or quarter of each academic year. Financial need-based grant money that is rewarded by the state of Ohio is limited to ten semesters or fifteen quarters per student.
OCOG Information
This includes the combination of the Ohio College Opportunity Grant and the Ohio Instructional Grant. The amount of money awarded varies depending on each student's financial needs and the institution they have chosen. Full-time public school attendees can receive up to $888 dollars.
Students enrolled in private and non-profit institutions such as Franklin University, God's Bible College, Springfield Regional School of Nursing, Mercy College, and Trinity School of Nursing, can receive between $48 and $1488 each school year.
Ohio Safety Officers College Memorial Fund
This grant offers some financial assistance for college tuition to the spouses and children of fallen police officers, firefighters, and other public servants who are killed in the line of duty. Children and spouses of soldiers are also now eligible for this grant.
The soldiers must be killed in action in a combat zone that was designated as such by the President of the United States. This includes, but is not limited to, soldiers who are killed in Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and those who die in Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Children who qualify for the War Orphans Fund cannot also receive this grant. Recipients must be Ohio residents.
Residency and Other Requirements
The residency of the parent does not matter. Students must enroll part-time or full-time at an Ohio college, university, or other approved learning institutions.
The grant provides full tuition including instructional fees and general fees at all public schools. Varying percentages of tuition will be paid for students who attend a private institution. Contact the Ohio Board of Regents to apply and for more information.
Ohio's Regents Graduate/Professional Fellowship Program
The Ohio Regent's Graduate/Professional Fellowship Program offers some financial aid that is based on a students academic merit.
This grant money is awarded to students who have already completed a Bachelor's degree, and who are looking to continue education in their respective fields. Students who are seeking a Master's degree must be nominated for this grant by their undergraduate colleges or universities.
College Participation
Only a select number of institutions participate in this grant program. Each participating school or institution awards one Fellowship Program Grant each year. The award is given to students based on their academic success and achievements.
They must show evidence that they have a strong potential to achieve a higher degree and will succeed in their chosen career field. For more information, students can contact their school's financial aid office.
For a list of participating institutions, contact the Ohio Board of Regents at the information provided above. Ask for the department of Ohio State Grants and Scholarships.
T.E.A.C.H. Grant
The T.E.A.C.H. Grant is a federal government grant. It is available to all Ohio residents but not exclusive to them. T.E.A.C.H. is an acronym for Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher education. This grant offers up to $4000 dollars per academic year. The grant is for both grad and undergrad students who will be teaching full-time for four or more years in low income school districts.
The grant is geared towards students who wish to teach subjects that are in high demand. These subjects include reading, math, science, and special education. The grant was created to bridge the quality gap of schools in low income neighborhoods with their wealthy neighborhood counterparts.
Additional TEACH Information
Students who receive this grant money must teach in a low income district for four years within eight years of completing their college education.
Failure to meet these obligations will cause the grant to default into an unsubsidized loan and interest will also apply to the amount that must be repaid. Students must file for federal student aid to be eligible for this grant. Contact your university or college financial aid office for further details on eligibility.
