Ohio's state scholarships for college students?

I'm an Ohio resident and looking into state scholarships for college. Are there any specific scholarships that I should be aware of? What kind of criteria do they usually have?

Yes, indeed! Ohio offers several state scholarships and grants that you might be eligible for as a resident. Here are a few important ones:

1. Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG): This need-based grant supports Ohio residents who demonstrate the highest levels of financial need, as defined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), who are enrolled at Ohio public university main campuses (not regional campuses or community colleges), Ohio private, non-profit colleges or universities, and Ohio's private, for-profit institutions.

2. Ohio War Orphan & Severely Disabled Veterans' Children Scholarship: This program awards tuition assistance to the children of deceased or severely disabled Ohio veterans who served in the armed forces during a period of declared war or conflict.

3. Choose Ohio First (COF) Scholarship: This scholarship program is designed to bolster Ohio's competitiveness within STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine) disciplines and the liberal arts.

4. Nurse Education Assistance Loan Program (NEALP): NEALP provides financial assistance to Ohio students in approved Ohio nurse education programs for LPN, RN or graduates seeking nurse education.

5. Ohio Safety Officers College Memorial Fund: Provides tuition assistance to the children and spouses of peace officers, fire fighters and certain other safety officers who are killed in the line-of-duty anywhere in the United States.

Generally, eligibility criteria for these scholarships and grants can include Ohio residency, enrollment in an Ohio institution, financial need, fields of study, and other factors. Some of these scholarships may require their separate applications, while others you may automatically be considered for when you fill out the FAFSA. It's crucial to check the details of each scholarship and reach out to your future college's financial aid office for more information.

Also, don't forget to explore scholarship options at your specific institution, as many colleges and universities offer their own array of scholarships.