Ohio scholarships and grants

Open to most students

• Ohio Work Ready Grant (OWRG)

  up to $6,000/yr (technician-aligned programs) or up to $3,000/yr (other in-demand programs), full-time

  Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE)

  Apply any time

  Up to $6,000/yr for advanced-manufacturing/engineering-technology programs, or up to $3,000/yr (Pell-eligible) for other in-demand programs at Ohio community colleges, branch campuses and OTCs.

  • What it takes: FAFSA only
  • For students starting college, undergrads, trade school students, adults going back to school
  • For in-demand workforce programs (priority: advanced manufacturing, engineering technology) students
  • Partly need-based: your FAFSA can affect whether you get it or how much.
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  Checked against the official page October 5, 2026

• Second Chance Grant

  $3,000 one-time

  Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE)

  Apply any time

  One-time $3,000 grant for Ohioans returning to college after stopping out 8 months to 5 years ago.

  • What it takes: FAFSA only
  • For undergrads, adults going back to school, trade school students
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  Checked against the official page October 5, 2026

• Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) Student Aid Program

  up to the cost of the CDL program's tuition and related expenses: 50% grant + 50% forgivable loan

  Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE)

  Apply any time

  Covers CDL training costs at participating Ohio schools: half as a grant, half as a loan forgiven if you drive in Ohio for a year.

  • What it takes: See how to apply
  • For trade school students, adults going back to school
  • For commercial truck driving (CDL) students
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  Checked against the official page October 5, 2026

• Choose Ohio First Scholarship

  varies by college and year (2021-22 average: $4,324 at four-year schools, $2,226 at two-year schools)

  Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) via participating colleges

  Check dates

  STEM scholarship awarded by participating Ohio colleges to students in eligible STEM programs or training to be STEM teachers.

  • What it takes: state application
  • For students starting college, undergrads, grad students, trade school students
  • For STEM, STEM education students
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  Checked against the official page October 5, 2026

• Governor's Merit Scholarship (GMS)

  up to $5,000 per year, renewable up to four years

  Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE)

  Opens later

  Up to $5,000/yr for up to 4 years for Ohio's top 5% high school seniors who attend an Ohio college.

  • What it takes: school nomination + test scores
  • For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads
  • Usual timing: Annual: high school nominations and homeschool applications close October 1 of senior year; offers sent ~November 1; students must accept by May 15
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  Checked against the official page October 5, 2026

• Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG)

  up to $4,000/yr (public main campuses), $5,000/yr (private nonprofit), $2,000/yr (for-profit) in 2026-27

  Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE)

  Opens later

  Need-based Ohio grant: up to $4,000/yr at public university main campuses, $5,000 at private nonprofits, $2,000 at for-profits (2026-27).

  • What it takes: FAFSA only
  • For students starting college, undergrads
  • Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
  • Usual timing: FAFSA must be filed by October 1 of each award year (2026-27 deadline was Oct 1, 2026; 2027-28 deadline Oct 1, 2027)
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  Checked against the official page October 5, 2026

For specific students

Military families, foster youth, certain careers and more. Each card says who qualifies.

• Ohio War Orphan & Severely Disabled Veterans' Children Scholarship (WOS)

  77% of tuition and general fees at Ohio public colleges, or $6,397/yr at private colleges (2026-27)

  Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE)

  Open now · due May 15, 2027

  Covers 77% of tuition and general fees at Ohio public colleges (or $6,397/yr at private colleges) for children of deceased or severely disabled wartime veterans (2026-27).

  • Who it's for: Child of a veteran who was killed in service or has a 60%+ service-connected disability and served during an eligible wartime period
  • What it takes: FAFSA + state application
  • For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads
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  Checked against the official page October 5, 2026

• Ohio Hidden Heroes Scholarship

  remaining tuition and general fees after other aid, plus a textbook stipend set by the college

  Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE)

  Apply any time

  Covers remaining tuition and general fees plus a textbook stipend for caregivers of 100% disabled veterans at participating Ohio colleges.

  • Who it's for: Caregiver enrolled in the VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) for a veteran with a 100% service-connected disability
  • What it takes: state application
  • For undergrads, adults going back to school
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  Checked against the official page October 5, 2026

• Ohio National Guard Scholarship Program (ONGSP)

  100% of tuition at participating public colleges (state public average rate at private colleges)

  Ohio National Guard / Ohio Adjutant General's Department

  Apply any timeService scholarship

  The catch: Serve your Ohio National Guard enlistment (3 to 6 years, which sets your benefit); repayment terms are on the official page.

  Pays 100% of tuition at participating Ohio public colleges (or the state public average at private ones) for enlisted Ohio Army and Air National Guard members.

  • Who it's for: Enlisted member in good standing of the Ohio Army or Air National Guard (or former member with qualifying deployment time under the Latta Amendment)
  • What it takes: state application + membership
  • For students starting college, undergrads, trade school students, adults going back to school
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  Checked against the official page October 5, 2026

• Ohio Safety Officers College Memorial Fund

  100% of tuition and fees at Ohio public colleges; $11,287/yr at private colleges; up to $8,000/yr for certificate programs (2025-26)

  Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE)

  Apply any time

  Covers 100% of tuition and fees at Ohio public colleges for children and spouses of safety officers or service members killed in the line of duty.

  • Who it's for: Child, spouse, or qualified former spouse of an Ohio or U.S. peace officer, firefighter, or other safety officer killed in the line of duty; or child or spouse of a U.S. service member killed in the line of duty in OEF, OIF, or a presidentially designated combat zone
  • What it takes: See how to apply
  • For students starting college, undergrads, trade school students
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  Checked against the official page October 5, 2026

• College Adoption Grant

  $2,500 one-time

  Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE)

  Opens later

  One-time $2,500 grant for Ohio students adopted on or after January 1, 2023 who attend a qualifying Ohio college.

  • Who it's for: Adopted on or after January 1, 2023 (not by a stepparent)
  • What it takes: state application + FAFSA
  • For students starting college, undergrads
  • Usual timing: Annual window for each academic year; the 2026-27 window closed September 1, 2026 (or earlier if funds run out)
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  Checked against the official page October 5, 2026