Ohio Safety Officers College Memorial Fund
Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE)
Apply any timeRenews each year
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.
- How much
- 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)
- Who qualifies
- 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
- Current Ohio resident (residency at time of death not required); associate, bachelor's, or certificate program at an Ohio public, private, or career school or Ohio Technical Center; must not qualify for the War Orphans Scholarship.
- For students starting college, undergrads, trade school students
- When to apply
- Apply any time No fixed deadline; schools add eligible students to a term roster
- How to apply
- Get a letter confirming the line-of-duty death (from the police or fire chief or the Ohio Police & Fire Pension Fund), or for military families a Report of Casualty, plus a marriage certificate for spouses
- Take them to the financial aid office at your Ohio school, which contacts ODHE
- What you'll need
- See how to apply
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (highered.ohio.gov) and page 2
The details
For 2025-26 (latest figures published): 100% of instructional and student fees at Ohio public colleges and $11,287/yr at private (nonprofit and for-profit) colleges for associate or bachelor's students; up to $8,000/yr for certificate programs at public or private schools. Up to the equivalent of four academic years (part-time terms count as full terms); certificate students may use it for up to two certificate programs.
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
- 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)
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.