Second Chance Grant
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.
- How much
- $3,000 one-time
- Who qualifies
- Ohio resident; no bachelor's degree; previously enrolled at a qualifying Ohio school and stopped out between 8 months and 5 years ago (College Credit Plus doesn't count); not suspended or expelled; pursuing a credential beyond what you hold; FAFSA completed; not receiving Choose Ohio First, Safety Officers Memorial Fund, War Orphans, or Ohio National Guard Scholarship.
- For undergrads, adults going back to school, trade school students
- When to apply
- Apply any time Rolling, first-come first-served while the annual (fiscal year) appropriation lasts
- How to apply
- Students do not apply directly
- File the FAFSA and tell the financial aid office at the school you're re-enrolling at that you may qualify
- The school confirms eligibility and applies for you
- What you'll need
- FAFSA only
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (highered.ohio.gov) and page 2
The details
A one-time $3,000 grant for students re-enrolling at an Ohio public college or university, private nonprofit or for-profit college, Ohio Technical Center, or Ohio career college to earn a degree or credential beyond what they already hold. Applied to cost of attendance after need-based federal and state grants. Awarded first-come, first-served while funding lasts; ODHE notes the FY27 appropriation is now available.
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
- 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.