🎓 Ohio FAFSA Grants & Scholarships — What Parents Need to Know

Ohio offers several state-funded programs to help your son or daughter afford college — but most families don’t realize how much is available or how early they need to act. This guide breaks down the grants that matter, how to apply, and what deadlines you can’t miss.

📅 FAFSA Opens: October 1, 2024
File by March 1, 2025 for priority state aid in Ohio.
Programs like the Ohio College Opportunity Grant can run out — and in a state this size, early really does matter.

📊 Ohio Grant & Scholarship Programs You Should Know About

Program	Who It’s For	Award Amount	How to Get It
Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG)	Low-income students at in-state public or private nonprofit colleges	Up to ~$4,700/year (depends on college type)	File FAFSA; no separate app. Automatically awarded if eligible.
Ohio War Orphans & Severely Disabled Veterans’ Scholarship	Children of eligible veterans in Ohio	80–100% of tuition at public colleges; partial at private	Apply separately by July 1; FAFSA required
Choose Ohio First Scholarship	STEM majors at participating Ohio colleges	Varies; can be substantial	Apply through your college’s financial aid or admissions office

💡 Tip: OCOG only applies at eligible in-state schools — and the amount changes depending on whether your child attends a community college, public university, or private college.

🎓 College Credit Plus (CCP):
Your kid can take college courses for free while still in high school — and earn real credits that transfer to Ohio public colleges. It’s one of Ohio’s best-kept secrets — and for some families, the difference between debt and a head start.

🎯 Key Things Ohio Parents Should Know

OCOG is need-based — your FAFSA determines eligibility.
Filing early gives your kid a better shot at limited funds.
Most awards are not automatic — check each college’s financial aid process.
Some private colleges offer matching aid for Ohio state grants.

📎 What To Do Next

✅ File the FAFSA as close to October 1 as possible
✅ Double-check that your kid’s Ohio college accepts OCOG or is part of the Choose Ohio First program
✅ If your family has military service, apply separately for the War Orphans/Veterans’ scholarship by July 1
✅ Ask each college’s financial aid office if there are institutional matching programs or STEM-specific funding
✅ Ask your high school counselor if your child is eligible for College Credit Plus

🎁 Need help keeping track?
Download the free College Starter Kit — includes a printable checklist, scholarship tracker, and tools to help you stay organized from FAFSA to move-in day.

🏫 Ohio Universities

❓ Common Questions Parents Ask

What is OCOG based on?

It’s based on FAFSA results — specifically your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Lower EFC = higher eligibility. Income caps vary slightly by year.

Do community colleges in Ohio qualify for OCOG?

In general, no — unless your child is part of a specific program. Some associate degree programs at certain schools may qualify. Always check with the financial aid office.

Is the Choose Ohio First scholarship guaranteed?

No — it’s competitive and depends on which college your child attends and what they major in. It’s mostly for STEM fields like biology, engineering, and computer science.

What does “need-based” actually mean?

It means financial aid is based on your income and household size. After filing the FAFSA, the government calculates your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). A lower EFC increases eligibility for OCOG and Pell Grants.

💬 You don’t have to have it all figured out tonight. Just reading this puts you one step ahead — and shows your kid that they’re not doing this alone.