Top 30 College Scholarships in Ohio for 2026 | Deadlines, Amounts & Apply Links

Looking for college scholarships in Ohio? Here are 30 real scholarships for Ohio students, sorted by deadline month, with award amounts, key eligibility details, and direct apply/info links.

January

1) Ohio JCI Senate Charitable & Education Foundation Scholarship
Why It Slaps: This is a smart early-January scholarship for Ohio seniors because it is not locked into one college path. It is open to graduating seniors heading to college, technical school, trade school, or another vocational program, which makes it more flexible than many awards that only focus on four-year universities. For students trying to piece together a realistic financial aid package, that kind of flexibility matters.
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: January 12, 2026
Apply/info: https://ohiojcisenate.org/scholarships/

2) Ohio Nurses Foundation Scholarships
Why It Slaps: Nursing students in Ohio should pay attention to this one because it is not just a single scholarship but a group of opportunities tied to the Ohio Nurses Foundation. That makes it especially useful for students at different points in the pipeline, including future nurses and current nursing students. If you are building a healthcare-focused scholarship strategy, this is one of the better Ohio-specific places to start.
Amount: Varies by scholarship
Deadline: January 15, 2026
Apply/info: https://ohionursesfoundation.org/scholarships-and-grants-3/

3) Goodyear STEM Career Day STEM/Engineering Scholarships
Why It Slaps: This scholarship stands out for Ohio students interested in engineering and related STEM fields because it connects scholarship funding to a real employer-sponsored pipeline experience. Students who attend the Goodyear STEM Career Day and plan to study eligible STEM areas can compete for meaningful awards, making this a strong fit for students who want both money and industry visibility. It is especially attractive because it comes from a recognizable Ohio-based company with direct workforce relevance.
Amount: $1,000 to $2,500
Deadline: January 16, 2026
Apply/info: https://stemcareerday.goodyear.com/scholarships

4) Ohio Township Association Scholarship Program
Why It Slaps: This is one of the more practical statewide civic-minded scholarships because it rewards students who are connected to their local township and willing to learn how local government works. Ohio township residents who are graduating seniors, have at least a B average, and attend a township meeting can qualify, which makes it more accessible than elite academic-only awards. It is also a nice fit for students planning to stay in Ohio for college.
Amount: $1,500
Deadline: January 31, 2026
Apply/info: https://www.ohiotownships.org/scholarship-program

February

5) Ohio Elks Association Legacy Scholarship
Why It Slaps: This is a strong family-affiliation scholarship for Ohio students because it is specifically built for children or grandchildren of living Elks members. That may sound niche, but for students who qualify, it can be a very efficient application because the field is narrower than broad national merit competitions. A $4,000 award is big enough to matter for tuition, fees, books, or housing costs.
Amount: $4,000
Deadline: February 2, 2026
Apply/info: https://www.elks.org/scholars/scholarships/Legacy.cfm

6) Cavaliers Scholarship Program (supported by Huntington)
Why It Slaps: This is one of the better Northeast Ohio scholarships because the award size is substantial and it is open to students heading to college, trade school, or vocational training. That broader definition of postsecondary success makes it useful for students whose goals do not fit the classic four-year-only mold. A $10,000 scholarship can seriously reduce first-year borrowing or close a tuition gap fast.
Amount: $10,000
Deadline: February 6, 2026
Apply/info: https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/community/education

7) Cavaliers HBCU Scholarship (supported by SPIDACARES)
Why It Slaps: Ohio students from Northeast Ohio who want to attend an HBCU should have this on their shortlist because it combines regional eligibility with a very clear college-going mission. The $10,000 award is large enough to move the needle, and the scholarship directly supports students choosing an HBCU pathway. That makes it a standout option for applicants who want both identity-affirming opportunity and real money.
Amount: $10,000
Deadline: February 6, 2026
Apply/info: https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/community/education

8) Engineers Foundation of Ohio Engineering Scholarships
Why It Slaps: Ohio engineering students should take this seriously because it is a whole portfolio of scholarships rather than one tiny award. The foundation lists multiple named scholarships for Ohio residents studying engineering, with awards that range from single-year support to renewable funding. For students entering ABET-related engineering pathways, this is one of the strongest Ohio-based sources of field-specific aid.
Amount: Varies by scholarship
Deadline: February 15, 2026
Apply/info: https://ohioengineer.com/index.php/Students-Educators/Scholarships

9) OHIO Regional Promise Award
Why It Slaps: This is one of the most powerful affordability plays on the list because it can cover the full cost of tuition and mandatory fees at an Ohio University regional campus for eligible students. Pell-eligible Ohio residents with at least a 3.0 GPA can use it as a last-dollar program, and students who complete a successful first year can potentially move on to a renewable $5,000 One OHIO Scholarship for Athens. For students who want a low-cost route to a real degree, this is a big deal.
Amount: Full tuition and mandatory fees at an OHIO regional campus; possible $5,000 renewable One OHIO Scholarship later
Deadline: February 15, 2026
Apply/info: https://www.ohio.edu/regional/students/financial-aid/ohio-regional-promise

10) Ohio Occupational Therapy Association Scholarships
Why It Slaps: This is a strong niche scholarship path for Ohio OT and OTA students because it sits inside a larger scholarship system with multiple Ohio-specific award tracks. The Ohio opportunities include support for occupational therapy students, occupational therapy assistant students, and post-professional students connected to Ohio programs. For students in this field, that kind of targeted professional funding is much better than competing in broad general scholarship pools.
Amount: Varies; Ohio awards are part of the AOTF scholarship program
Deadline: February 20, 2026
Apply/info: https://www.aotf.org/Scholarships/Available-Scholarships

11) Ohio Farm Bureau Ambassadors Scholarship
Why It Slaps: Students planning to major in agriculture or an agriculture-related field should put this high on the list because the award is large and renewable. The Ohio Farm Bureau Ambassadors Scholarship offers one renewable $10,000 scholarship, for up to $40,000 total, to an Ohio resident with strong academics and an agriculture-focused plan. For students in ag, food systems, agribusiness, or related majors, that kind of long-term support is tough to beat.
Amount: $10,000 renewable, up to $40,000 total
Deadline: February 28, 2026
Apply/info: https://ofbf.org/foundation/scholarships/ohio-farm-bureau-ambassadors-scholarship/

March

12) George Eagle Memorial Scholarship
Why It Slaps: This is a smart pick for students pursuing environmental health because it is tied directly to that profession in Ohio instead of being a generic science award. The scholarship supports both undergraduate and graduate students who are working toward careers in environmental health, which makes it especially useful for students already committed to that public-health lane. It is one of the more field-specific Ohio awards that can help the right applicant stand out.
Amount: $2,000
Deadline: March 20, 2026
Apply/info: https://www.ohioeha.org/aws/OEHA/pt/sp/scholarship

13) Columbus Zoo RISE Scholarships
Why It Slaps: This is a high-value scholarship for Ohio students interested in conservation, wildlife, and hands-on professional experience. The Columbus Zoo’s RISE Scholarships offer $5,000 awards and connect funding with an internship commitment, so students are not just getting money but also a real career-building opportunity. That combination of scholarship support and practical experience makes it stronger than a typical check-only award.
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: March 31, 2026
Apply/info: https://www.columbuszoo.org/rise-scholarships

14) David E. Mizer Memorial Scholarship
Why It Slaps: This is one of the more valuable agriculture-related scholarships in Ohio because it is renewable and aimed at students in dairy science, food science, agriculture, and related fields. A renewable $3,000 annual scholarship, up to $12,000 total, can make a real dent in tuition over four years. If your academic interests line up with dairy, food systems, or agricultural study, this is a strong Ohio-targeted option.
Amount: $3,000 renewable, up to $12,000 total
Deadline: March 31, 2026
Apply/info: https://ofbf.org/foundation/scholarships/david-e-mizer-memorial-scholarship/

April

15) Resettled Refugee Visible Voice Scholarship
Why It Slaps: This scholarship is a strong local opportunity for resettled refugee students in Cuyahoga County because it is built around a very specific community and educational pathway. With awards up to $5,000, it can provide meaningful support for students attending a college or university in Cuyahoga County. For eligible applicants, community-specific scholarships like this often offer a better odds-to-effort ratio than broad statewide competitions.
Amount: Up to $5,000
Deadline: April 3, 2026
Apply/info: https://app.smarterselect.com/programs/105860-College-Now-Greater-Cleveland

16) Blonder Scholarship
Why It Slaps: This scholarship is especially valuable because it supports LGBTQ+ students in Northeast Ohio, including trade or vocational students and returning adult learners, not just traditional freshmen. The funding structure can total $4,000 over four years, which gives it more staying power than many one-time local awards. It is a good example of a scholarship that is both identity-aware and flexible about educational path.
Amount: $1,000 per year, up to $4,000 total
Deadline: April 6, 2026
Apply/info: https://lgbtcleveland.org/pride/scholarships/

17) Ohio Forestry Association Foundation E. B. Miller Memorial Scholarship
Why It Slaps: Students studying forestry, natural resources, or related environmental fields should look closely at this one because it is directly aligned with those majors. Field-specific scholarships are often easier to justify in essays because your coursework, career goals, and the mission of the scholarship already match. For Ohio residents pursuing forestry-related study, this is one of the more relevant state-based awards on the board.
Amount: Not publicly fixed on the official page
Deadline: April 15, 2026
Apply/info: https://www.ohioforest.org/page/Scholarship

18) Ohio Association of Gifted Children Ann Sheldon College Scholarship
Why It Slaps: This is a targeted academic scholarship for Ohio students who were formally identified as gifted, which gives it a narrower and more defined applicant pool than general merit awards. It is also useful because the criteria are concrete, including test-score benchmarks and Ohio gifted identification. For students who meet that profile, it is a straightforward, high-fit application.
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: April 15, 2026
Apply/info: https://oagc.com/resources/scholarships/

19) Richard P. Seiter Scholarship
Why It Slaps: This is a meaningful family-affiliation scholarship for students whose parent works for the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. With a minimum award of $2,500, it is large enough to matter, and it is tied to a clearly defined population that may face a smaller applicant pool than open statewide awards. For eligible families, that makes it a scholarship worth prioritizing.
Amount: $2,500 minimum
Deadline: April 15, 2026
Apply/info: https://columbusfoundation.org/search/scholarships/detail/RichardPSeiterScholarship/584

20) OMACCS LEADS! Scholarship
Why It Slaps: This scholarship is excellent for students heading toward career, technical, or vocational education because it is built around that pathway rather than treating it like an afterthought. OMACCS reports a very large number of scholarships through this program, which makes it a strong option for students planning to attend participating career colleges in Ohio or Michigan. If your path is hands-on and career-focused, this is one of the more useful April deadlines to hit.
Amount: Varies
Deadline: April 17, 2026
Apply/info: https://www.omaccs.org/scholarships

May

21) OFIC Ohio Scholars Program
Why It Slaps: This is a broad and important Ohio scholarship hub for students attending participating independent colleges and universities in the state. The program uses one application to match students to available donor-funded scholarships, which makes it efficient and worth the effort if you qualify. For Ohio residents with at least a 2.8 GPA who are attending an OFIC member school, this is one of the smarter statewide applications to file.
Amount: Varies by scholarship
Deadline: May 1, 2026
Apply/info: https://www.ofic.org/ohioscholarsprogram

22) Ohio Counties 2026 Scholarship
Why It Slaps: This is a strong public-service scholarship because it explicitly supports students planning careers that serve Ohio communities. One $2,000 scholarship is awarded in each CCAO district, and eligible career paths include government, social work, military, education, healthcare, law enforcement, emergency services, and more. If your college goals are connected to service in Ohio, this is one of the clearest mission-aligned scholarships on the list.
Amount: $2,000
Deadline: May 1, 2026
Apply/info: https://ccao.org/aws/CCAO/pt/sp/re-foundation

23) Kidney Foundation of Ohio Scholarship
Why It Slaps: This scholarship stands out because it serves students whose lives have been directly affected by kidney disease, either personally or through a parent. Renewable awards from $750 to $1,500 can help with ongoing education costs, and that renewal angle makes the scholarship more useful than a one-time micro-award. For eligible students, it is a well-targeted opportunity with a meaningful health-related mission.
Amount: $750 to $1,500, renewable
Deadline: May 8, 2026
Apply/info: https://fs6.formsite.com/RMenJy/tnycxqajcg/index

24) OCCD Foundation Public Service Scholarship
Why It Slaps: This is a great scholarship for students already on a public-service track because it supports Ohio residents studying areas tied to service-oriented careers. The program is aimed at upper-level undergraduates and graduate students at Ohio universities, so it can be especially helpful for students who have already made serious progress in majors connected to public policy, public administration, and related fields. For mission fit, it is one of the stronger late-spring options.
Amount: Up to $2,000
Deadline: May 22, 2026
Apply/info: https://www.occd.org/foundation/occdf-public-service-scholarship/occdf-public-service-scholarship

July

25) Adam Charles Ports Foundation Scholarship
Why It Slaps: This is a rare scholarship that rewards martial arts experience, which makes it a good fit for Ohio students whose achievements do not always show up in standard academic applications. Students with at least one year of martial arts training can compete, and the award is open to Ohio residents or Ohio undergraduates with a permanent Ohio address. That combination of extracurricular depth and state connection makes it memorable and distinctive.
Amount: $1,000 minimum
Deadline: July 31, 2026
Apply/info: https://acpfoundation.com/scholarships.html

August

26) Wang Ji Thong Family Scholarship
Why It Slaps: This is a strong niche scholarship for students from Asian American, Pacific Islander, refugee, or immigrant communities in Northeast Ohio who are pursuing health-related study. The award amount is solid, and the scholarship looks at academic standing, community engagement, financial need, and essays, so it rewards more than just grades alone. For the right applicant, it is one of the best August opportunities in Ohio.
Amount: $2,500
Deadline: August 1, 2026
Apply/info: https://www.asiaohio.org/get-involved/scholarship-opportunities/

November

27) Cincinnatus Scholarship
Why It Slaps: This is one of the biggest merit scholarship programs tied to an Ohio university, and it should absolutely be on the radar for students applying to the University of Cincinnati. The program offers multiple scholarship tiers, including 20 Presidential Scholarships worth $120,000 each, plus many Century and University Scholarships ranging from $6,000 to $24,000 total. For strong first-year applicants, this is a major money opportunity.
Amount: Presidential: $120,000 total; Century and University: $6,000 to $24,000 total
Deadline: November 1, 2026
Apply/info: https://www.admissions.uc.edu/tuition-aid/scholarships/cincinnatus.html

28) Ohio State Land Grant Opportunity Scholarship for Ohio Residents
Why It Slaps: This is one of the most important large-dollar opportunities for Ohio students applying to Ohio State because it can cover full cost of attendance. It is aimed at Pell-eligible Ohio residents who demonstrate need and academic merit, and Ohio State says it awards 176 students each year with an effort to reach counties across the state. If you are a high-achieving, high-need Ohio applicant, this one belongs near the top of your OSU strategy.
Amount: Full cost of attendance
Deadline: No separate scholarship application; apply to Ohio State and complete the FAFSA, with November 1, 2026 strongly recommended for early-action consideration
Apply/info: https://undergrad.osu.edu/cost-and-aid/merit-based-scholarships

29) Stamps Eminence Scholarship Program
Why It Slaps: This is Ohio State’s most elite merit scholarship and one of the most prestigious undergraduate awards in Ohio. It covers full cost of attendance for eight semesters and adds an enrichment grant worth up to $5,000, which makes it powerful for students who want support not just for tuition but also for research, travel, and deeper academic experiences. It is highly competitive, but the value is huge.
Amount: Full cost of attendance for eight semesters, plus up to $5,000 enrichment funding
Deadline: November 10, 2026, after applying to Ohio State by November 1
Apply/info: https://honors-scholars.osu.edu/eminence

December

30) Miami University Presidential Fellows Program
Why It Slaps: This is one of the biggest and most prestigious college scholarships in Ohio. Miami’s Presidential Fellows Program covers tuition, fees, housing, and food for four years and includes a one-time $5,000 academic enrichment stipend, which turns it into a full-scale premier scholarship package rather than a small merit award. For high-achieving students applying to Miami University, this is a top-tier opportunity.
Amount: Four-year scholarship covering tuition, fees, housing, and food, plus a $5,000 enrichment stipend
Deadline: December 1, 2026, by 11:59 p.m.
Apply/info: https://miamioh.edu/admission-aid/majors-minors-programs/honors-programs/presidential-fellows-program.html