Student Financial Aid in Ohio
Got Enough for Your Education Bills?
From primary through post secondary Ohio's public education system is governed primarily by a Board of Regents. Some other states also use a regents system. A Board of Regents makes sense of future educational goals and works on the behalf of the state government as much as for the state citizens. The board makes sure government educational monies are used wisely and that various types of funding options are made available to state residents.
General Scholarships and Grants
The Ohio Academic Scholarships were designed to keep Ohio's most gifted minds right in Ohio. By providing attractive and competitive scholarships, up to $2000, qualifying students may be able to defray significant tuition costs. Eligible applicants must enroll in an Ohio state college or university, have graduated at the top of their class and have earned top ACT/SAT scores. Students must maintain high GPAs.
Ohio College Opportunity Grants pick up where the Academic Scholarships leave off. These grants are designed to offer tuition monies to the low and middle-income students who may not otherwise be able to afford to attend a college. While many programs offer funding to the most disadvantaged, the College Opportunity Grant recognizes that many middle-income students may be "disadvantaged" as well. Students must be enrolled in a public or private college or university and the grant awards are based accordingly. Apply for the grant by filling out the FAFSA.
For families who may be struggling with many dependents, the Ohio Instructional Grant may offer assistance to students. Students may qualify for awards between $150 and $5000 depending on need. Apply by filling out the FAFSA.
Realizing that not all students wish to study at a public college or university, the Ohio Student Choice Grant promotes the choices of students who are enrolling in private institutions. Grants are $900 per academic year. Students must be pursuing an undergraduate degree to qualify. Apply directly through the college.
Not all students are able to attend college full-time, either. Are you an Ohio student enrolled in a part-time program? Ask if your college participates in the Part-time Student Instructional Grant. You must also prove economic need. You are free to attend private or public institutions.
The Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarships are a federally funded program designed to reward the most academically talented students from each state. Ohio high school seniors that are top in their class, have earned excellent ACT/SAT scores and have maintained a superior GPA, may qualify for an annual $1500 scholarship. Recipients are chosen by a panel of education professionals. Students who have also demonstrated leadership and involvement in community-based activities have preference. Recipients must also have been accepted into a college or university program to be eligible.
Ohio students who choose a technical or career track over an academic may qualify for the Student Workforce Development Grant. Ohio's "private career" or "proprietary schools" offer vocational/technical/professional programs that bypass liberal arts nitty-gritty to produce a student ready to hit the ground running in a particular profession. The Workforce grants are small, but every little bit helps. You do not have to prove any financial need to be eligible.
Many states offer little assistance to graduate students, but Ohio's Regents Graduate/Professional Fellowship Program is designed to offer monetary incentive to students who have completed an undergraduate degree and are now poised to begin a graduate level program. Applicants must apply be Ohio state residents and attending a state college or university. Apply through the school and you may qualify to receive up to $3500 per academic year.
Ohio War Orphans Scholarship offers full tuition for children of veterans who have been wounded, disabled or killed while serving during an armed conflict. Students must be Ohio residents. Scholarship includes any state college or university. A partial scholarship may be awarded to a student attending a private institution. Apply directly through the school.
Ohio Safety Officer College Memorial Fund provides scholarship money for the dependents of safety officers killed during the line of duty. Safety officers may include firefighters, paramedics and corrections officers, among others. Applicants must be Ohio residents. Those who qualify may receive full scholarships at state colleges and universities and partial at private institutions.
Specialized Scholarships and Grants
The Nurse Education Assistance Loan Program addresses Ohio's shortage of nurse educators explicitly. While it is recognized unconditionally that the nation has an overall critical shortage of working nurses, more and more publicity is needed to focus on the root of the problem - education and availability of qualified professional educators as well as appropriate facilities. This graduate level program requires applicants to be certified and licensed RNs and already have at least two years of clinical work experience to be considered. Students must be enrolled in a nurse educator program at an Ohio state college or university. Eligible applicants may receive up to $5000 per academic year in exchange for teaching services in an Ohio nursing program after graduation. Graduates agree to offer services for a specified amount of time.
You may also want to check out other national nursing scholarships.
