Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG)
Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE)
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).
- How much
- up to $4,000/yr (public main campuses), $5,000/yr (private nonprofit), $2,000/yr (for-profit) in 2026-27
- Who qualifies
- Ohio resident; associate degree, first bachelor's degree, or nurse diploma program; Student Aid Index (SAI) of $3,750 or less AND household income of $96,000 or less; meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress. Not generally available at community colleges, Ohio Technical Centers, or career colleges (exceptions for foster youth, veterans, third-term students).
- For students starting college, undergrads
- Need-based: your FAFSA decides how much you get.
- When to apply
- Opens later FAFSA must be filed by October 1 of each award year (2026-27 deadline was Oct 1, 2026; 2027-28 deadline Oct 1, 2027)
- How to apply
- File the FAFSA by October 1 of the award year (2026-27: October 1, 2026)
- There is no separate application
- Your college's financial aid office awards it
- What you'll need
- FAFSA only
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (highered.ohio.gov) and page 2
The details
2026-27 maximum full-time annual awards: $4,000 at Ohio public university main campuses; $5,000 at Ohio private nonprofit colleges; $2,000 at private for-profit colleges; $600 ($800 for veterans) at select Pennsylvania schools. Prorated for 3/4, 1/2 and 1/4 time. Regional (branch) campuses get a reduced $492 full-time max, and several schools with tuition guarantees have adjusted amounts. Community college students generally get $0 because the max Pell grant ($7,395) already exceeds average community college tuition, EXCEPT eligible foster youth, students using federal veterans' education benefits, and year-round students in a third term after Pell is exhausted, who may get up to the main-campus amount. Limited to 10 semesters / 15 quarters of state need-based grant aid. Renewable each year you remain eligible.
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
- Governor's Merit Scholarship (GMS)up to $5,000 per year, renewable up to four years
- 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.