Governor's Merit Scholarship (GMS)
Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE)
Up to $5,000/yr for up to 4 years for Ohio's top 5% high school seniors who attend an Ohio college.
- How much
- up to $5,000 per year, renewable up to four years
- Who qualifies
- Ohio resident; top 5% of the class at an Ohio public or chartered nonpublic high school at the end of junior year (or top 5% of homeschool/dropout-recovery applicants by ACT/SAT); registered for Selective Service if applicable; graduate high school on time. Classes of 2024 and later only; students not selected in senior year cannot be nominated later. Test scores apply only to homeschool/dropout-recovery applicants.
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads
- When to apply
- Opens later Annual: high school nominations and homeschool applications close October 1 of senior year; offers sent ~November 1; students must accept by May 15
- How to apply
- Public and chartered nonpublic high school students do not apply: schools nominate by October 1 and ODHE emails/mails offers around November 1
- Homeschooled and dropout-recovery students apply at meritscholarship.ohio.gov with an ACT/SAT score (portal opens at the start of senior year, closes by October 1)
- All offerees must accept in the portal by May 15
- What you'll need
- school nomination + test scores
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (highered.ohio.gov) and page 2
The details
Offered to seniors identified as the top 5% of their class at each Ohio public and chartered nonpublic high school, plus the top 5% of homeschooled and dropout-recovery applicants. Up to $5,000 per year (split by term), renewable for up to 8 semesters / 12 quarters toward a first bachelor's degree, usable for costs up to the college's cost of attendance. Must be used at an Ohio public or private nonprofit college; attending an out-of-state school forfeits it. May enroll within two years of graduation (one gap year). Renewal requires a 3.0 cumulative GPA, at least 20 credits per year, and progress toward a degree. Award may be reduced if more students accept than funding covers. Acceptance includes a non-binding statement of intent to stay in Ohio three years after graduating.
More money from Ohio
- 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 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
- Second Chance Grant$3,000 one-time
- Choose Ohio First Scholarshipvaries by college and year (2021-22 average: $4,324 at four-year schools, $2,226 at two-year schools)
- Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) Student Aid Programup to the cost of the CDL program's tuition and related expenses: 50% grant + 50% forgivable loan
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Pennsylvania, West Virginia
- Federal aid and national scholarships (open to students in any state)
- The FAFSA in plain English (2027-28)
- Should I file the FAFSA if I don't think I'll qualify?
- FAFSA deadlines by state (2027-28)
- The FAFSA for parents: what you need to do
- How to save on textbooks: free, rented and cheaper options
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.