Ohio War Orphan & Severely Disabled Veterans' Children Scholarship (WOS)
Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE)
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).
- How much
- 77% of tuition and general fees at Ohio public colleges, or $6,397/yr at private colleges (2026-27)
- Who qualifies
- Child of a veteran who was killed in service or has a 60%+ service-connected disability and served during an eligible wartime period
- Ohio resident for the year before applying and 4 of the last 10 years (5 years total if the veteran entered service from outside Ohio); age 16-24 when applying; full-time associate or bachelor's study at an eligible Ohio college; parent served during an eligible period (WWII, Korea, Vietnam era 1960-1975, Gulf War from Aug 2, 1990, OEF from Oct 7, 2001, OIF from Mar 20, 2003, or another VA-recognized conflict period).
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads
- When to apply
- Open now · due May 15, 2027 Annual: applications open May 16 and close May 15 for the next academic year
- How to apply
- File the FAFSA, then submit the WOS application to ODHE online (wos.ohiohighered.org) or on paper (notarized), with the veteran's DD214, a VA award letter showing a 60%+ combined rating (if not deceased), and the Student Acknowledgement Form, by May 15
- What you'll need
- FAFSA + state application
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (highered.ohio.gov) and page 2
The details
For 2026-27 the War Orphans Scholarship Board set funding at 77% of tuition and general fees at Ohio public colleges and $6,397 per year at eligible private (nonprofit and for-profit) colleges; the level is set each July based on the number of applicants (2025-26: 77% / $6,330). Full-time undergraduate study toward an associate or bachelor's degree. Renewable for up to 10 semesters / 15 quarters; continuing students need a 2.0 cumulative GPA and do not reapply.
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
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