Best Higher Education Grants in Ohio

About Marion Community Foundation

Since 1998, area residents have been turning to Marion Community Foundation to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible. We are a public charity serving thousands of people who share a common concern … improving the quality of life in Marion County.

Individuals, families, businesses and organizations create permanent charitable funds that help our community meet its needs and challenges. The Foundation invests and administers these funds.

Voll Family Bowling Green State University Scholarship

The Voll Family Bowling Green State University Scholarship Fund was created by Fran Voll in honor of his wife, Marty. Fran created this scholarship fund in her memory to benefit countless future students attending their beloved Bowling Green State University.   

The scholarships will be awarded to Marion County high school seniors or graduates attending Bowling Green State University. 

About Marion Community Foundation

Since 1998, area residents have been turning to Marion Community Foundation to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible. We are a public charity serving thousands of people who share a common concern … improving the quality of life in Marion County.

Individuals, families, businesses and organizations create permanent charitable funds that help our community meet its needs and challenges. The Foundation invests and administers these funds.

Whirlpool Corporation One Power STEM Scholarship

Whirlpool Corporation, in conjunction with One Energy LLC, created a scholarship fund at Marion Community Foundation in 2017 to support education in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). For each wind turbine installed as part of a Wind for Industry® project, Whirlpool/One Energy scholarship partners are giving back to the community with scholarships. These scholarships will impact Marion County high school seniors and graduates pursuing studies in STEM fields.

Annually, this scholarship fund awards one $5,000 scholarship to a student attending any eligible educational institution. An additional $10,000 in scholarships is available to students attending The Ohio State University at Marion, Marion Technical College, or other eligible educational institutions.

Ohio Farm Bureau

Ohio Farm Bureau is a grassroots membership organization that is committed to supporting our farm and food community. You can find us involved everywhere from events hosted by county Farm Bureaus to the halls of local, state, and federal government, advocating for policy that supports the future of farming. We care about helping our members achieve success in agriculture.

Scholarships

The Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation annually awards scholarships to students planning to pursue careers in agriculture and to adults seeking continuing education in agriculture-related studies. To support the future of agriculture throughout Ohio, each county has a scholarship fund to allot to its local students. Other scholarships focus on specific issues such as women’s leadership in agriculture, livestock and crop sciences at the Agricultural Technical Institute, sheep production and management, and more.

Ohio Farm Bureau Ambassadors Scholarship

The Ohio Farm Bureau Ambassadors Scholarship is the foundation’s premier scholarship, honoring students who excel academically, serve their communities, and pursue careers that advance Ohio agriculture.

It supports students who embody hard work, perseverance, and stewardship; leaders who meet challenges, strengthen agricultural communities, and pay forward opportunities to sustain and grow Ohio agriculture. Recipients represent the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation’s values as ambassadors, upholding integrity, dedication, and a commitment to lasting impact.

The Ohio Farm Bureau Ambassadors Scholarship provides one (1) renewable $10,000 scholarship to a deserving student seeking a degree in agriculture or an agriculture-related field. Each scholarship is renewable for up to three years for a total of up to $40,000 per student.

Ohio higher education institutions seeking to reduce problem gambling among college students can apply for this statewide initiative, with awards up to Up to US $500,000. With a mission to strengthen mental health and addiction services, Ohio Department of Behavioral Health supports a lead grantee partnering with other IHEs and a nonprofit coalition to expand prevention, intervention, and training efforts.

The John E. Foster Engineering Scholarship Fund, established by engineering firms to honor John E. Foster, supports Columbus City Schools seniors pursuing engineering degrees at The Ohio State University or Columbus State Community College. Applicants must be graduating seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, reflecting a commitment to diversity and excellence in engineering. This fund aims to empower future engineers and enhance representation in the field.

Mission: To continually improve the Marion Area community through philanthropy, leadership and civic engagement. Judge Thomas K. Jenkins ScholarshipIn 2009, the late Judge Thomas K. Jenkins (1937-2025) created this fund at Marion Community Foundation to provide resources in perpetuity for Marion area students pursuing degrees and careers in law. The Jenkins scholarship makes awards to graduates of Marion County high schools pursing a degree in law at any accredited college or university, with special consideration given to applicants attending Tom’s alma mater, Ohio Northern University School of Law.

Ohio LGBTQ+ students pursuing any post-secondary education, including two- or four-year, advanced, technical, or certification programs, can receive scholarship support for higher education. The Columbus Foundation’s Michael Kibbey and Ron Betz Scholarship honors LGBTQ+ community service and leadership, prioritizing applicants who volunteer and aspire to uplift LGBTQ+ and other minority communities; awards are US $2,000.

Stark Community Foundation

Since 1963, Stark Community Foundation has been helping individuals, families, businesses and nonprofits like you support the causes you care about.

In addition to personalized donor services, we manage a competitive grantmaking program and award grants to address local needs. Today, the Foundation stewards over 1,000 charitable funds totaling $485 million in assets and has granted more than $300 million to nonprofits in our community and beyond.

Scholarships

Stark Community Foundation is one of the area’s major sources of college scholarship support— thanks to the generosity of caring individuals, families and businesses that have created scholarship funds.

The Foundation currently manages more than 100 scholarship funds that support hundreds of deserving students each year from Stark and Carroll counties.

The Harry Mestel Memorial Accounting Scholarship Fund

The Harry Mestel Memorial Accounting Scholarship Fund assists students enrolled at an Ohio college or university in their third, fourth or fifth year of accounting studies (pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Accounting) whose permanent address is in Stark County, Ohio. 

This scholarship is renewable.

The Josephine Sebach Scholarship, offered by the Muskingum County Community Foundation, supports graduating seniors from Muskingum County high schools. Eligible students must have a GPA between 2.0 and 3.5 and be pursuing a 2- or 4-year degree at an accredited institution. This scholarship emphasizes motivation and clear career goals, making it accessible to a diverse range of students, including those who may not traditionally qualify for financial aid.

The Sue Johnson Nursing Scholarship, established by Sue Johnson, former Director of Nursing Clinical Excellence & Research at Parkview Health, supports eligible Parkview co-workers pursuing a Bachelor's degree in nursing. The scholarship reflects Parkview Health Foundation's commitment to enhancing healthcare in the region by fostering educational opportunities for its staff. Since 1878, the foundation has played a crucial role in delivering quality healthcare and improving patient experiences in northeast Indiana and northwest Ohio.

Ohio high school seniors in Erie County planning to attend an in-state college or university can receive scholarship support for higher education costs. Erie County Community Foundation, in partnership with The Cleveland Foundation, offers the Bertha and David Wiggins Scholarship for academically strong students from diverse backgrounds whose family income exceeds $100,000.

The Parkview School of Nursing Alumni Association Scholarship Fund, established by alumni of the Parkview School of Nursing, aims to support and encourage nursing students. Funded by the Parkview Health Foundation, which has been instrumental in enhancing healthcare in northeast Indiana and northwest Ohio since 1878, this scholarship plays a vital role in fostering the next generation of nursing professionals. Eligible applicants must be current Parkview Health employees enrolled in accredited BSN or MSN programs.

The Gloor-Hirschy Scholarship, established by the Parkview Health Foundation in 1988, honors Betty Hirschy, a dedicated nurse and Parkview School of Nursing alumna. This scholarship provides a one-time award of $1,500 to two current Parkview Health employees enrolled in accredited nursing programs. Eligible applicants must submit two recommendation letters, including one from a co-worker or leader, demonstrating their commitment to compassionate healthcare.

The Darryl R. Smith Medical Technical Scholarship, established by the Parkview Health Foundation, honors Dr. Smith, a former Medical Director. This scholarship offers two $1,000 awards to Parkview Med-Tech students: one for the highest GPA and another for the greatest financial need. This initiative supports students in learning vital medical technician skills, ensuring they contribute effectively to patient diagnoses and treatment plans, ultimately enhancing healthcare in northeast Indiana and northwest Ohio.

The Cathy E. Harris Good Samaritan Scholarship, established by the Parkview Health Foundation, honors Cathy Harris, a dedicated former Director of Parkview Samaritan. This scholarship supports Parkview co-workers pursuing Basic EMT, Advanced EMT, or Paramedic certification, emphasizing the foundation's commitment to enhancing healthcare education and community service. With a legacy of charitable giving since 1878, the foundation plays a crucial role in improving patient care and experiences in northeast Indiana and northwest Ohio.

Marion Community Foundation

Since 1998, area residents have been turning to Marion Community Foundation to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible. We are a public charity serving thousands of people who share a common concern … improving the quality of life in Marion County. We use distributions from the more than 500 charitable funds — created by generous, local donors — to award more than $2.5 million in grants and scholarships each year to many of the humanitarian, educational and cultural organizations in this remarkable community we call home.

Marion Community Foundation is the area’s leading philanthropic organization, providing charitable donors the opportunity to easily create endowment funds to benefit and support our community through grants and scholarships. We serve communities throughout Marion County through philanthropy, leadership, and civic engagement.

Marion Area Auxiliary Scholarship

The eldest of the scholarship funds at Marion Community Foundation, the Marion Area Auxiliary Scholarship was created in 2000 to support careers in medicine, in keeping with the earliest goals of the Foundation.

Marion Community Foundation was created in 1998 from the Mary Elizabeth Smith Foundation and sale of the assets of the former MedCenter Hospital. Supporting health care access and services and careers in medicine are long-standing goals of the Foundation.

This scholarship makes awards to Marion County students who score in the upper 50 percent of the ACT or SAT and are pursuing an education in health care or medical sciences.

Qualified colleges and universities in Ohio seeking support for higher education and scholarship programs can apply for grants that advance post-secondary learning. The Austin E Knowlton Foundation provides funding to institutions, with a preference for scholarships benefiting Ohio students planning to major in STEM fields, and also supports students attending schools in Kentucky and Indiana.

Ohio higher education students pursuing medical, nursing, or allied health degrees who live in Chillicothe or Ross County may be eligible for this scholarship-loan support. Adena Health System supports post-secondary health care career training through the Hope For Our Future Scholarships: G. Howard Wood, MD, Medical and Nursing Student Loan Trust Fund.

Graduating seniors and recent graduates of Carrollton or Edison High School in Ohio seeking higher education at a public college or university in the University System of Ohio can apply for Stark Community Foundation’s John Henry and Nancy May Bell Allensworth Scholarship; awards More than US $500 and is renewable.

High school seniors pursuing higher education in drawing, design, architecture, or industrial arts may be eligible for this merit-based scholarship supporting study at accredited postsecondary institutions. With a mission to strengthen education, Armstrong County Community Foundation provides Ohio higher education students and others in the region with nonrenewable support for approved arts and industrial arts programs within 300 miles of their high school.

High school seniors and current college students pursuing agriculture degrees, especially in Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Nebraska, and the central U.S., can receive US $1,000 scholarships for higher education through the Kansas Association of Independent Crop Consultants Scholarship Fund. Administered by Greater Kansas City Community Foundation, this support may benefit agriculture-focused students from Ohio meeting the GPA and field-of-study criteria.

Summit County Master Gardeners Scholarship Fund

Established by Summit County Master Gardeners to provide scholarships to Summit County students or residents who are interested in attending an Ohio university to pursue a two- or four-year degree in horticulture, agriculture, environmental studies or closely related field. A non-traditional student currently employed in a green industry is eligible to apply as well as members and relatives of SCMG.

Amount: Varies

• $1,000 minimum

Number of awards:

• Varies

Renewal:

• No

About Marion Community Foundation

Since 1998, area residents have been turning to Marion Community Foundation to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible. We are a public charity serving thousands of people who share a common concern … improving the quality of life in Marion County.

Individuals, families, businesses and organizations create permanent charitable funds that help our community meet its needs and challenges. The Foundation invests and administers these funds.

Dr. Shelton & Becky Williams Scholarship

The Dr. Shelton & Becky Williams Scholarship Fund was created in 2017 by Becky Williams to honor her late husband.

The scholarship supports seniors and graduates from any school in Marion County pursuing a degree in psychology at The Ohio State University at Marion. 

Ohio high school seniors seeking higher education support can access funding through this scholarship, with awards from US $5,000 - US $15,000 for full-time study at in-state colleges or universities. Administered by The Columbus Foundation, applicants must reside in Pickaway County and graduate from a traditional four-year high school with at least a 3.0 GPA.

Emerine Memorial Scholarship Fund

The scholarship honors the memory of Janet and Erin Emerine, lovers of learning. Janet dedicated her life to teaching people of all ages. Erin dedicated her life to improving the community around her through volunteerism. They valued education as a tool to succeed in life, and they would have wanted others to have the opportunity offered by a scholarship.

Award Amount:

• $1,000

Stark Community Foundation is one of the area’s major sources of college scholarship support— thanks to the generosity of caring individuals, families and businesses that have created scholarship funds.

The Foundation currently manages more than 100 scholarship funds that support hundreds of deserving students each year from Stark and Carroll counties. In 2025, more than $1,000,000 was awarded to local students to help them achieve their educational dreams.

The Lester and Eleanor Webster Fund

The Lester and Eleanor Webster Fund was established to assist students residing in Stark County who are pursuing a degree at an accredited school in Ohio and who have attained at least sophomore status in college. 

Amount: Varies.

• Minimum $500.

Renewable:

• Yes