Ohio Scholarships

Ohio residents at the University of Akron with at least a 3.0 GPA who are incoming first-year students, transfers, or current students newly entering a qualifying STEM or medicine major may apply for Choose Ohio First STEMM scholarships. Awards provide up to $5,500 per academic year for full-time enrollment in eligible STEMM fields. Applications typically open October 1 and close January 31 for the following academic year. Apply at uakron.edu/oars/cof after completing University of Akron admission.

Students with disabilities who reside in designated northwest Ohio or southeast Michigan counties and maintain at least a 3.0 GPA may apply for Ability Center scholarships toward college, trade school, or certification programs. Awards are up to $2,500 applied to tuition. Applicants must be enrolled or accepted in a post-secondary degree program. Submit an online application with an 800- to 1,000-word essay, transcript, and three references. The Ability Center and its Auxiliary support students with disabilities pursuing higher education.

Ohio high school seniors (including homeschooled students) who are U.S. citizens with at least a 3.0 GPA and who will enroll in an accredited college or university to pursue a Bachelor of Science in a Goodyear STEM or engineering discipline may apply for Goodyear STEM Career Day Scholarships, funded by Goodyear and The Goodyear Women’s Network. Up to $2,500 is available, with 18 awards. Funds are paid to the student’s financial aid account for tuition, mandatory fees, on-campus housing, and meal plans. If there are no outstanding charges, the scholarship is forfeited; no funds are paid directly to the student.

Private pilots of all ages who hold a current Private Pilot Certificate and reside in North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, or Ohio may apply for advanced aviation training support through the Bill Cowden Memorial Aviation Scholarship. One award of up to $1,500 is granted annually. The fund was established in memory of Bill Cowden to help pilots pursue higher ratings when financial resources are limited. Submit a professional resume, one aviation-related letter of recommendation, and a one-page essay on your reasons for pursuing advanced aviation training. Applications are accepted from March 15 through May 15.

Hamilton County, Ohio, residents age 17 or older may apply for a one-time scholarship toward any accredited higher education or certification program. One $1,000 award is paid directly to the school or program for tuition. Submit the online application with documentation of club involvement, volunteer activities, and recent employment, three referral letters, a 30-second introduction video, and a written essay by the posted deadline.

U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are high school seniors or college freshmen or sophomores under age 20 and residing in eligible states or the District of Columbia may apply. Applicants need a minimum 3.0 GPA (high school seniors) or 2.75 GPA (college students), plus demonstrated academic achievement, leadership, community involvement, and financial need. Award amounts vary based on need and may renew for up to four academic years. Complete the application with details on honors, leadership, community service, financial need, and future goals. Funds must be used at an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Student-athletes in intercollegiate sports and exclusively online students are ineligible. The Jimmy Rane Foundation has awarded hundreds of scholarships to help deserving students pursue college educations.