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State Grants & Scholarships

The State of Ohio provides resources in a wide variety of programs so that immediate costs-savings are available to students. Sinclair College participates in the following State programs:

Contact StateGrantsScholar@sinclair.edu for any State Grants and Scholarship questions.

Choose Ohio First Scholarship

Sinclair College participates in the Choose Ohio First Scholarship program as part of the State of Ohio’s strategic effort to support undergraduate students in earning a certificate or associate degree in one of our many innovative academic programs. This partnership works to support Ohio's position on world markets such as aerospace, medicine, computer technology, and alternative energy. Funds are for students beginning their first term in a qualified STEMM (Science, Technology, Mathematics, Manufacturing, and Health Sciences), Computer Science/IT (Information Technology), or other Work-Based Learning field. This includes College Credit Plus (CCP) and Tech Prep students who completed credits while in high school. 

  • The 2023-2024 Choose Ohio First applications are currently closed.
  • The 2024-2025 Choose Ohio First applications will open in January 2024.

Scholarship links:

Contact StateGrantsScholar@sinclair.edu for any Choose Ohio First Scholarship questions.

Ohio War Orphans & Severely Disabled Veterans' Children Scholarship

The Ohio War Orphans Scholarship 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. The scholarship covers tuition costs only. Recipients will be funded 83% of tuition cost in 2023-2024. The Ohio Department of Higher Education will meet July 2024 to approve new funding levels for 2024-2025.

Application Information:
Additional term eligibility requirements must also be met in order to receive this scholarship:
  • Be listed on the Eligibility Roster received from the state
  • Have a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA*
  • Register for 12 or more credit hours per term
  • Be pursuing a degree program
  • Be making satisfactory academic progress as determined by the school

*Students must have 2.0 eligibility by the end of the first year under the program (two semesters or three quarters). In order to retain eligibility, students must maintain at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA for the balance of their undergraduate studies. 

Contact StateGrantsScholar@sinclair.edu for any Ohio War Orphan’s & Severely Disabled Veterans’ Children Scholarship questions.

Ohio National Guard Scholarship Program

The Ohio National Guard Scholarship Program (ONGSP) is available to current members of the Ohio Army & Air National Guard, as well as former members with qualifying deployment time (Latta Amendment students). The scholarship covers 100% of tuition charges for courses applicable to, or leading to, an associate or bachelor’s degree, a diploma-granting nursing program, as well as approved trade certification, credential-certifying, or licensing programs at participating public colleges and universities.

Visit the Ohio National Guard website for additional information about the Ohio National Guard Scholarship Program and Services.

Eligibility Requirements:
  • Be an Ohio National Guard member in good standing and having qualifying years in Ohio.
  • Enrolled in a bachelor’s degree, associate degree, or an approved certificate program.
  • Enrolled in at least 3 credit hours.

Contact StateGrantsScholar@sinclair.edu for any Ohio National Guard Scholarship questions.

Skills to Work Grant- Short Term Certificate Grant

The Ohio Department of Higher Education will distribute award funding for need-based financial aid students who are enrolled in an eligible program that may be completed in less than one year and for which a certificate or industry-recognized credential is awarded in an in-demand job. The investments will support the ability of the state of Ohio to retain and expand existing businesses, attract new investments and talent, and further entrepreneurship.

Students may be eligible to receive up to 3 awards for different short-term certificates. Students must successfully complete one short-term certificate before receiving an award for another short-term certificate. Grant funds can be applied toward courses that are required in the eligible program and will cover tuition costs only.

Eligibility Requirements:
  • Must be a resident of the state of Ohio.
  • Must demonstrate financial need. This can be done by completing the 2023/2024 FAFSA for Fall 2023, Spring 2024, or Summer 2024 semesters. Need is determined on the FAFSA by deducting the student EFC from the students COA. If the student has not completed a 2023-2024 FAFSA or their financial need has changed since completing it, they can complete the application at the link below.
  • Must be enrolled in an eligible short-term certificate program. These include:
    • Business Operations Systems Support
    • Home Health Aide
    • Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant
    • Hospitality Reception and Service Specialist
    • Clinical Lab Assistant
    • Human Resources Management
    • Clinical Phlebotomy
    • Medical Coding & Billing Specialist
    • Customer Service Specialist
    • Nurse Aide
    • Electrocardiography Technician
    • Patient Care Technician
    • Emergency Medical Technician
    • Reimbursement Analyst
    • Food Production Specialist
    • Surgical Instrument Technician 
  • Click here for the Skills to Work application

Contact StateGrantsScholar@sinclair.edu for any Skills to Work Grant questions.

Second Chance Grant 

The State of Ohio is further strengthening its commitment to assisting students in attaining a degree or credential through the establishment of the Second Chance Grant. The objectives of the grant are to reduce financial barriers preventing Ohioans with some college credit but no bachelor’s degree from returning to higher education and to increase the number of Ohioans with a degree or credential.

Eligibility Requirements:
  • Be an Ohio Resident
  • May not have a bachelor’s degree
  • Has attended college within the last 5 years
  • Has not attended college within the last 2 semesters from the current term
  • Be in good academic standing and not having a record of disciplinary issues, including being suspended or expelled from the institution
  • Must complete the FAFSA and accept any federal and state need-based grants that are awarded
  • Students who possess a credential or degree must pursue a higher credential or degree. Such credentials and degrees are noted in order, from low to high, below:
    • Industry-Recognized Credential
    • Short-Term Certificate
    • Certificate
    • Associate Degree
    • Bachelor’s Degree
Application Information:

Review the Second Change Grant eligibility requirements listed above. If you are meeting the above requirements, send an email, from your Sinclair email, to StateGrantsScholar@Sinclair.edu. Provide your student ID number and request to start the Second Chance Grant application process.

Contact StateGrantsScholar@sinclair.edu for any Second Chance Grant questions.

Great Minds Fellowship

The Great Minds Fellowship is ideal for students looking to make a difference and contribute to growing Ohio’s behavioral health workforce. The program will help students jump start a successful future in their chosen career path while allowing communities across Ohio to better care for those living with mental health and substance abuse disorders.

The Great Minds Fellowship is a program available to students within two years of graduating with degrees or certificates in social work, marriage and family therapy, mental health counseling, psychiatric/mental health nursing, and substance abuse/addiction counseling.

Qualifying Great Minds Fellows will be eligible for up to $10,000 during their undergraduate and graduate studies for scholarship opportunities to assist with the costs of obtaining their degrees or certificates; paid internships at one of Ohio’s Community Behavioral Health Centers (CBHC) at the undergraduate and graduate levels; and the costs of required license and certification preparation and exams (and other costs related to the degree or certificate). Funding will be available beginning in the fall 2023 semester.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
  • Must be within 2 years of graduating from one of the programs listed below.

         ASSOCIATE DEGREES

  • Social Work (SWKE.S.AA)
  • Addiction Services (MHTCD.S.AAS)

         CERTIFICATES 

  • Community Service Support (SWT.S.CRT) 
  • Recovery Service Support (SWS.S.CRT) 
  • Lifestyle Wellness Coaching (LWC.S.CRT) 

         SHORT-TERM CERTIFICATES 

  • Public Service Support (SWA.S.STC) 
  • Social Service (SOCS.S.STC) 
  • Public Services Assistant (SSA.S.STC) 
  • Must commit to performing an internship at a participating Ohio Community Behavioral Health Center (CBHC) and, upon graduation, commit to employment at a participating CBHC for at least one year. Students are not obligated to post-graduation employment at the same CBHC where they complete their Great Minds Fellowship-funded internship.
  • Must sign an agreement with the State of Ohio, committing to both the internship placement and post-graduation employment requirements.
APPLICATION INFORMATION:

Review the Great Mind Fellowship eligibility requirements listed above. If you meet the above requirements and are able to commit to the obligations listed above, send an email, from your Sinclair email, to your Program Director. Provide your student ID number and request to start the Great Minds Fellowship application process.

Contact StateGrantsScholar@sinclair.edu for any Great Minds Fellowship questions.

Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG)

The Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG) provides grant money to Ohio residents who demonstrate the highest levels of financial need (as determined by the results of the FAFSA) and who are enrolled at Ohio public colleges or universities; Ohio private, non-profit colleges or universities; and Ohio private, for-profit institutions.

Community college students are currently not eligible for OCOG year-round but may be eligible to receive this grant during the summer or third-term. Stricter eligibility criteria for summer OCOG results in few students qualifying for this grant.

Basic OCOG eligibility requirements include:
  • Complete FAFSA by October 1, 2023 for 2023-2024 award year
  • Be an Ohio Resident
  • Be pursuing an associate degree, first bachelor's degree, or nurse diploma program
  • Have a Pell EFC of 3750 or lower
  • Have maximum household income of $96,000
  • Be making satisfactory academic progress
Application Information:
  • Complete FAFSA
    • Application Deadline is October 1 of each year
    • School will receive FAFSA and determine student eligibility
Additional eligibility requirements and items covered by OCOG:

OCOG for Veterans

OCOG for Foster Youth

Summer (third-term) OCOG

  • Meet basic eligibility requirements
  • Receive federal veteran’s education benefits under chapters 30, 31, 33, or the Frye Scholarship
  • May be received to help with tuition and living expenses.
  • Meet basic eligibility requirements
  • Receive an official eligibility form from the Ohio Education and Training Voucher Program (ETV) that lists their ETV award

 

  • Meet basic eligibility requirements
  • Be enrolled in all three terms (Fall, Spring, and Summer)
  • Receive Pell for both Fall and Spring terms
  • Have a summer balance after Pell has been exhausted
  • May be received to help with tuition and living expenses. 

 

Contact StateGrantsScholar@sinclair.edu for any Ohio Opportunity Grant questions.

Nurse Education Assistance Loan Program (NEALP)

The Nurse Education Assistance Loan Program (NEALP) provides financial assistance to Ohio students enrolled in (or accepted for enrollment) for at least half-time study in an approved Ohio nurse education program. In exchange, to qualify for loan cancellation, recipients must be employed full-time as a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse in the State of Ohio for a minimum of five years after graduation.

**To qualify for loan cancellation, recipients must be employed full-time as a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse in the State of Ohio for a minimum of five years after graduation. 

Eligibility Requirements:
  • Be an Ohio resident.
  • Be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident.
  • Be enrolled in or be accepted for enrollment in an approved Associate Degree nurse education program in Ohio colleges, universities, hospitals, or vocational schools.
  • Not be in default or owe a refund to any Federal Financial Aid program.
  • Be making satisfactory academic progress as determined by the school
Application Information:
  • Complete the FAFSA
  • Students may apply after January 1 each year 
  • There is a deadline of July 15th each year. Notification of acceptance or denial for NEALP funding will be sent the first week of September.

Contact StateGrantsScholar@sinclair.edu for any NEALP questions.

Gear Up Ohio Scholarship

The GEAR UP Ohio Scholarship is designed to help low-income and first-generation college students prepare for college and receive the support needed to achieve success in postsecondary education. The funding may be used to pay for college tuition, room & board, books, and other college related expenses.

Eligibility Requirements:
  • Successfully participate in GEAR UP Ohio programming for one year or more
  • Possess a high school diploma or GED certificate
  • Be a U.S. citizen, a U.S. national, have a green card, have an arrival-departure record, have battered immigrant status, or have a T-Visa
  • Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as an undergraduate student in an eligible degree program at an eligible institution
  • Be less than 22 years old at time of first scholarship award
  • To remain eligible, students must stay in good academic standing and attend college at least half time
  • Contact StateGrantsScholars@sinclair.edu with any Gear UP questions
Application Information:
  • Application window is between April 1 and July 1 each year
  • Eligible students must contact the local GEAR UP Site Director to access the application

Ohio Safety Officers College Memorial Fund

The Ohio Safety Officers College Memorial Fund Program provides undergraduate tuition assistance to a child, spouse, and qualified former spouse of peace officers, fire fighters and certain other safety officers who are killed in the line-of-duty, anywhere in the United States. It also provides undergraduate or certificate tuition assistance to the children and spouses of a member of the armed services of the U.S., who has been killed in the line of duty during Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or a combat zone designated by the President of the United States.

Eligibility Requirements:
  • Be a child, spouse, or a qualified former spouse of peace officers, fire fighters and certain other safety officers who are killed in the line-of-duty, anywhere in the United States
  • Be a child or spouse of a member of the armed services of the U.S., who has been killed in the line of duty during Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or a combat zone designated by the President of the United States
  • Do not qualify for the Ohio War Orphan & Severely Disabled Veterans’ Children Scholarship Program
  • Be a resident of Ohio
    • Not required to have been Ohio residents at the time the service member was killed in the line of duty
Application Information:

Contact StateGrantsScholar@sinclair.edu for any Ohio Safety Officers College Memorial Fund questions.

Ohio Education and Training Voucher Program (ETV)

The Ohio Education and Training Voucher Program is a federally funded, state-administered program designed to help youth who were in U.S. foster care. Students may receive up to $12,000 a year for qualified school related expenses thru September 30, 2022. Funding is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible students. Applicants must complete the ETV application which includes documentation each semester that is sent directly from the school to ETV confirming enrollment, the cost of attendance (COA) and unmet need. 

Eligibility Requirements:
  • Be a current or former foster student who:
    • was in U.S. foster care on your 18th birthday and aged out at that time; OR
    • was in foster care, legal custody, or guardianship to a kinship caregiver at or after 16; OR
    • was adopted from U.S. foster care at age 16 and older; OR
    • will have your foster care case closed between the ages of 18 and 21.
  • Be a U.S. citizen or a qualified non-citizen
  • Be accepted into, or enrolled in, a degree, certificate, or other accredited program at a college, university, technical, vocational school
  • To remain eligible, you must show progress toward a degree or certificate
  • Visit Ohio Education and Training Voucher Program for additional eligibility requirements
Application Information: