In this scholarship post, we’re tackling the Buckeye state, otherwise known as Ohio! Ohio scholarships are available for both residents and for students simply attending a Ohio college or university.
In this post, we will start off by providing some basic background information on attending college in Ohio. Then, we’ll dive into Ohio scholarships offered by private organizations, before leaving you with a shortlist of recommended reading resources to bookmark as you begin or continue along your financial aid journey.
Ohio is home to 14 four-year public universities, 46 private colleges, and 23 community colleges, among other technical institutions, medical schools, and regional campuses of state universities.
Perhaps the most well-known university in the state is The Ohio State University, which is home to over 60,000 students. In addition to Miami University and Case Western Reserve University, The Ohio State University consistently ranks in the top 100 of the nation’s list of best national research universities.
Ohio is also recognized for the “Ohio Big Three”: Kenyon College, Oberlin College, and Denison University commonly rank in the US News and World Report’s list of top 50 liberal arts colleges in the country.
According to College Calc, for the 2019-2020 academic year, the average in-state tuition in Ohio was just over $16,000 per year, making it the 35th most affordable state to attend college. While Ohio is comfortably in the middle of the pack when it comes to college costs, there’s no denying that financial aid and scholarships can come in handy here. So, if it’s Ohio scholarships you’re looking for, keep on reading!
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: March 31, June 30, September 30, December 31
Details: While our quarterly scholarship is not exclusive to Ohio students, it’s a great no-essay scholarship to apply for in addition to the scholarships on this list! Open to high school, college, and graduate students of all years. DACA students are also encouraged to apply.
Amount: $2,500
Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Open to community college students pursuing manufacturing engineering or manufacturing technology related engineering degrees at select community colleges in the state of Ohio. See scholarship page for eligible schools.
Amount: Varies ($500 - $2,500)
Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Open to Ohio high school seniors and undergraduate students pursuing degrees related to engineering. Must have at least a 3.0 GPA for all scholarships. See scholarship page for individual eligibility requirements for each award.
Amount: Varies
Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Open to Knox county residents who are high school seniors or current college students at two and four-year universities. Most, but not all, scholarships require financial need.
Amount: Varies
Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Open to high school and college students in Columbus, Ohio.
Amount: Varies
Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Scholarships available for Lorain county high school seniors and undergraduate students of all majors.
Amount: Varies ($500 - $5,000)
Deadline: March 5
Eligibility: Open to high school seniors, undergraduate, and graduate students of Latino descent from Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Must be currently enrolled or planning to enroll in a four-year university and have completed the FAFSA. DACA students are eligible to apply.
Amount: Varies by scholarship
Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Over 60 awards open to Ohio high school seniors and current college students - must be a US citizen and have at least a 2.0 GPA to be eligible for all scholarships.
Amount: Varies
Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Open to high school seniors, college students, and non-traditional students with disabilities. Must have a permanent address in Lucas, Wood, Fulton, Henry, Ottawa, Defiance, Williams county in Ohio or in Monroe or Lenawee county in Michigan. Minimum 3.0 GPA.
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Open to nursing students entering at least their sophomore year of college. Must have at least a 3.0 GPA and have demonstrated financial need.
PS - If you live in the area that Blanchard Valley System serves, check out the whole list of scholarships open to nursing and healthcare students!
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: Open to Ohio high school juniors and seniors interested in STEM areas of study who have made contributions to STEM innovation and entrepreneurship.
Amount: $2,500 for community college students, $5,000 for four-year undergraduates
Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: Open to Ohio undergraduate students entering their junior and senior years who can demonstrate their knowledge and commitment to careers in environmental sciences or environmental engineering.
Amount: up to $20,000
Deadline: May 2
Eligibility: Open to high school seniors in the Tri-State area, who plan to attend a college or university in the Tri-State area (see application page for list of eligible schools). Must have at least a 3.0 GPA.
Amount: $750
Deadline: May 24
Eligibility: Open to minority high school seniors in Ohio who plan to major in a field relevant to the newspaper industry, particularly journalism, advertising, marketing, or a communications degree program. Must be African American, Hispanic, or American-Indian. Minimum 2.5 GPA.
Amount: Varies
Deadline: September 30
Eligibility: Open to students enrolled in post-professional occupational therapy programs or doing graduate study in a field related to occupational therapy in an Ohio university.
Amount: N/A
Deadline: N/A
Eligibility: Open to Ohio high school seniors who wish to pursue careers in illustration, graphic design, photography, or any art related program. Must be an Ohio resident and have at least a 3.0 GPA.
Ohio Higher Ed - The go-to resource to find out information on preparing for college, paying for college, higher education institutions across the state of Ohio, and more.
Access Scholarships’ FAFSA Guide - If you’re a high school senior or current undergraduate or graduate student, filing the FAFSA before the annual deadline ensures that you receive all of the federal aid you’re eligible for. Check out our guide to help you get started!
Ohio Means Jobs - This website is a great resource for career planning as well as finding more Ohio-specific scholarships.
OASFAA - An organization which offers monthly events to help Ohio students and parents navigate the FAFSA process.