Scholarships

Owens College Credit Plus (CCP) students have the unique opportunity to continue on the academic path they have started at Owens Community College to earn their associate degree or certificate and enter the workforce or transfer to a four-year college or university.

Spring 2025 high school graduates

The Start Here Scholarship provides $1000 per term for the first four semesters following high school graduation.  The scholarship may only be used for charges incurred at the college.

Required Qualifications

To qualify for the Start Here Scholarship, 2025 incoming students must:

• Be an Ohio resident for the duration of the scholarship.
• Be a high school senior graduating in spring (class of 2025 or later) who has earned at least nine credits at Owens through the CCP or Early Admit programs.
• Apply to Owens Community College as a regular student.
• Have an Owens cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 or higher.
• Have a high school GPA of 2.75 or higher with an official transcript on file on or after January 1 of senior year.
• Submit a complete Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) to Owens.
• Enroll in at least 12 credit hours for the summer or fall semester immediately following high school graduation by the semester's financial aid freeze date.
• Remain enrolled in at least 12 credit hours by each semester’s financial aid freeze date for the duration of the scholarship’s eligibility period.
• Maintain an Owens cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or better to receive the scholarship for each semester.

In some cases, exceptions to eligibility criteria may be made.  Students must initiate exception request through Academic Advising.  Exceptions are granted per-semester, and exception requests must precede the semester’s financial aid freeze date.  Post-freeze exception requests will be denied.

The Board of Trustees Scholarship is $1,000 per semester for up to four consecutive semesters. The scholarship begins in fall semester; summer enrollment is optional. All awards are based upon available funding.

Students who will be enrolling at Owens in the fall semester immediately after graduating from a high school in the Owens legal district, and who have a high school GPA of 3.7 or above, must submit official high school transcripts on or after May 15 at the conclusion of  their junior year to be considered.

In addition, students who meet one of the following qualifications may apply for the scholarship by submitting the Board of Trustees Scholarship -- Nomination Form. The due date for nomination forms is July 15.

• A high school senior attending a high school located in the Owens legal district, who has a high school GPA of 3.0 - 3.69, demonstrates student motivation, and enrolls in the fall semester immediately following high school graduation.  The Owens legal district includes schools in Lucas, Wood, Hancock counties, as well as Benton-Carroll-Salem, Genoa, and Woodmore school districts.
• A high school graduate, who has not been in high school for at least one year, or a GED recipient (applicants may not have attended Owens for at least one year); resides in the Owens legal district (the Owens legal district includes Lucas, Wood, Hancock, and parts of Ottawa and Sandusky counties); demonstrates motivation through exceptional work or public/community service (including military service), academic performance, other demonstrated leadership, or other experience as related to a career path; and enrolls for the fall semester immediately following the award of the scholarship.

Click here for a detailed list of schools.

All recipients must meet the following criteria:

• Apply for admission to Owens as a regular student
• Pursue a degree or certificate with the intent to complete at Owens Community College
• Maintain full-time enrollment at a minimum of twelve credit hours each semester
• Maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average to continue eligibility for each semester at Owens, for a maximum of four total consecutive semesters (summer optional)

The Owens Community College Foundation offers a variety of scholarships through the generosity of businesses and individuals in the community.

Scholarship award notifications are generally made beginning in June.  Students who have not initially been awarded a scholarship will be considered if additional funds become available at a later date.

Click here for College Foundation Scholarship details.

The Student Leader Scholarship is provided to the President, Vice President, Secretary, and Delegate of the Student Ambassadors. Annual award amounts range from $500 - $2000, depending on position, and can be used for instructional expenses.

The Success TAP Completion Scholarship is a scholarship for those students who experience unforeseen financial need in their final semester before graduation.

The scholarship can be used to cover education-related expenses, including tuition and fees, and textbooks. Students receiving other Owens scholarships will be considered for this program if they have an outstanding balance.

To be eligible, students must:

• Be an Ohio resident
• Be enrolled in their final semester for their academic program of record
• Submit a degree audit showing that the in progress classes are the only remaining courses
• Have an Owens GPA of 2.0 or higher
• Have a completed FAFSA® on file
• Have an outstanding balance
• Have financial need, as verified by college staff

To apply, contact the Student Service Center at (567) 661-2387.

The Ohio Semiconductor Collaboration Network Scholarship is a program funded by the Ohio Association of Community Colleges (OACC) & the Ohio Semiconductor Collaboration Network. The scholarship provides support to students enrolled in a semiconductor or related manufacturing one-year certificate.

To be considered for this scholarship, you must be enrolled in one of the following programs:

• Advanced Manufacturing (APET)
• Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technology (EETT)
• Semiconductor Technician Certificate (ZSCD)

To Apply:

1. Log in to Workday.
2. Select Financials Hub from the home page or choose Financials Hub from the MENU in the upper left corner.
3. In the Suggested Links section, click on Scholarship Applications, then select Ohio Semiconductor Scholarship Application.

The Penta Express scholarship provides up to $1,000 to qualifying students. The scholarship will be distributed as $500 per semester for two consecutive semesters, which will be provided in addition to other scholarships Owens may currently offer. This financial support will help ease the transition from high school to college.

To qualify for the Penta Express Scholarship, incoming students must:

• Be an Ohio resident for the duration of the scholarship’s eligibility period.
• Be a high school senior (class of 2025 or later) graduating from one of Penta’s member school districts and completing a program of study at Penta Career Center.
• Begin attending Owens Community College as a degree- or certificate-seeking student in the fall semester immediately following high school graduation.
• Remain a degree- or certificate-seeking student for the duration of the scholarship’s eligibility period.
• Enroll in at least 9 credit hours by each semester’s financial aid freeze date for the duration of the scholarship’s eligibility period.
• Submit a complete Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) to Owens.

In some cases, exceptions to eligibility criteria may be made.  Students must initiate exception request through Academic Advising.  Exceptions are granted per-semester, and exception requests must precede the semester’s financial aid freeze date.  Post-freeze exception requests will be denied.

The Ohio National Guard Scholarship Program provides tuition assistance to qualifying members of the Ohio National Guard who are enrolled in at least three credit hours per semester.

You must be enrolled in one of the following programs to be considered:

• An associate’s degree
• Computed Tomography Certificate (Owens Code: ZCTC)
• Culinary Arts Certificate (Owens Code: ZCAB)
• Emergency Medical Technician - Basic Certificate (Owens Code: ZEMT)
• Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedic Certificate (Owens Code: ZPAR)
• Exercise Science Certified Personal Trainer Certificate (Owens Code: ZEPT)
• Medical Assisting Certificate (Owens Code: ZMDA)
• Payroll Certificate (Owens Code: ZPAY)
• Professional Law Enforcement Certificate (Owens Code: ZOPA)
• Sterile Processing Certificate (Owens Code: ZSPC)
• Vascular Sonography Certificate (Owens Code: ZVSC)

Additional information is available online. The scholarship covers 100% of instructional and general fees.

Children (up to age 25) of deceased or severely disabled Ohio veterans may apply for the Ohio War Orphan and Severely Disabled Veterans' Children Scholarship. To qualify, veterans must have served a minimum period of active duty in the armed services during a declared conflict or war, as designated on the scholarship application.

The scholarship provides payment of a portion of instructional and general fees.

Students must attend full-time (12 credit hours or more) unless an exception is granted based on a documented learning disability or for the final semester before graduating.  Contact Student Financial Services to request an exception.

Applications are available online at the Ohio Department of Higher Education website.

If your parent died as a result of military service or service as a public safety officer, you may also be eligible for the maximum Federal Pell Grant.  Visit the Grants page for details.

This program provides undergraduate tuition assistance to the children, spouses, and qualified former spouses of peace officers, fire fighters and certain other safety officers who are killed in the line of duty. It also provides undergraduate or certificate tuition assistance to qualifying children and spouses of members of the U.S. armed services who were killed in the line of duty. This includes such operations as Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or some other combat zone designated by the President of the United States. Students must be Ohio residents and be enrolled full or part-time at a participating Ohio college. Interested students should contact the Ohio Department of Higher Education.

Click here for additional details.

You may also be eligible for the maximum Federal Pell Grant.  Visit the Grants page for details.

The Choose Ohio First Scholarship is a program funded by the State of Ohio for students studying in certain Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine programs, including skilled trades.  Visit the State of Ohio’s Choose Ohio First website for more information.

Eligibility requirements
To be eligible for the scholarship, you must meet the following criteria:

• Submit a Choose Ohio First Scholarship application and be selected as a recipient.
• Be enrolled in an eligible program (see Eligible programs below)
• Be a first-time student OR a prior student who was previously enrolled in a program which was not in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics or Medicine. Additionally, former College Credit Plus (CCP) students are considered first-time students during the first semester they attend after high school graduation.
• Be an Ohio resident.
• Be registered for Selective Service if required to register by law.
• Participate in a work-based learning experience such as a co-op, internship, or clinical/laboratory.
• Participate in at least one Career Services activity per semester, unless the College agrees to waive this requirement.
• Be enrolled in the following as of the financial aid freeze date for each semester:
  • Certificate students: 6 or more credits
  • Associate degree students: 9 or more credits
• Maintain a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or higher to continue eligibility.

Awards

• Awards are for fall and spring semesters for up to three years.
• The scholarship can only be used for instructional and general fees which are not being paid by other sources. To qualify, students must have unpaid instructional and general fees of at least $500 per semester for certificate programs, or $1,500 per semester for associate degree programs. The maximum award is $2,000 per semester ($4,000 per academic year).
• There is limited funding available for each academic year.
• Continued funding is contingent on the availability of state funds and the College’s performance and participation in the Choose Ohio First Scholarship program.

Application

1. Log in to Workday.
2. Select Financials Hub from the home page or choose Financials Hub from the MENU in the upper left corner.
3. In the Suggested Links section, click on Scholarship Applications, then select Choose Ohio First Scholarship Application.

Eligible programs
The Choose Ohio First Scholarship may be used for the following programs of study.

• Applied Engineering Technology (Owens Code: APET)
• ATS Alt Energy-Photovoltaic (Owens Code: 1AEP)
• ATS Applied Engineering Technology (Owens Code: 1APE)
• ATS Architectural Eng Tech (Owens Code: 1ARE)
• ATS Auto Service Management (Owens Code: 1ASM)
• ATS Automotive Technology (Owens Code: 1AUT)
• ATS CAD Technology (Owens Code: 1CAD)
• ATS Computer Programming Technology (Owens Code: 1CPT)
• ATS Computer Science Major (Owens Code: 1CSC)
• ATS Diesel Technology (Owens Code: 1DSL)
• ATS Electrical/Electronics Technology (Owens Code: 1EET)
• ATS Information Systems (Owens Code: 1INF)
• ATS Information Systems (Owens Code: 1SYS)
• ATS Network and Information Systems Support (Owens Code: 1NIS)
• ATS Skilled Trades Building Maintenance (Owens Code: 1STB)
• ATS Skilled Trades Construction (Owens Code: 1SKC)
• ATS Skilled Trades Electrical (Owens Code: 1SKE)
• ATS Skilled Trades Mechanical (Owens Code: 1SKM)
• ATS Welding (Owens Code: 1WLD)
• ATS Wide-Area Networking Technology (Owens Code: 1WAN)
• Automotive Service Certificate (Owens Code: ZSER)
• Automotive Technology, AAS (Owens Code: AUTO)
• Avionics Major, AAS (Owens Code: AVMJ)
• Biomedical Electronics Major (Owens Code: BIOM)
• Building Maintenance Certificate (Owens Code: ZBLD)
• Building Maintenance Major, AAS (Owens Code: SKTB)
• CAD Certificate (Owens Code: ZCDC)
• CAD Technology (Owens Code: CADT)
• Cardiac Sonography (Owens Code: CARD)
• Caterpillar Dealer Service Technician, AAS (Owens Code: CATP)
• CISCO Academy Certificate (Owens Code: ZCCO)
• Computed Tomography Certificate (Owens Code: ZCTC)
• Computer Programming - Developer I Certificate (Owens Code: ZCDI)
• Computer Programming - Developer II Certificate (Owens Code: ZCDV)
• Computer Programming Technology, AAB (Owens Code: CPPT)
• Computer Science Major, AAS (Owens Code: CSCI)
• Computer Support Tech. Certificate (Owens Code: ZCSC)
• Dana Mechatronics Controls Certificate (Owens Code: ZDMC)
• Dana Mechatronics Engineering Certificate (Owens Code: ZDME)
• Dana Mechatronics Maintenance Certificate (Owens Code: ZDMM)
• Dental Office Coordinator Certificate (Owens Code: ZDOC)
• Diagnostic Medical Sonography Technology (Owens Code: SONO)
• Diesel Service Certificate (Owens Code: ZDSL)
• Diesel Technology (Owens Code: DSLT)
• Electrical Certificate (Owens Code: ZECT)
• Electrical Major, AAS (Owens Code: SKTE)
• Electrical/Electronics Engineering Technology (Owens Code: EETT)
• Emergency Medical Technician - Basic Certificate (Owens Code: ZEMT)
• Emergency Medical Technician - Intermediate Certificate (Owens Code: ZEIC)
• Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedic Certificate (Owens Code: ZPAR)
• Engineering Concentration, AS (Owens Code: EGRC)
• Environmental Science Concentration, AS (Owens Code: ENST)
• Exercise Science Concentration (Owens Code: EXSC)
• General Motors Corporation Automotive Service Education Program, AAS (Owens Code: ASEP)
• GMAW Welding Certificate (Owens Code: ZGMW)
• GTAW Welding Certificate (Owens Code: ZGTW)
• Health Information Technology, AAS (Owens Code: HINF)
• HVAC Certificate (Owens Code: ZVCC)
• Industrial Mechanic Certificate (Owens Code: ZINM)
• Information Systems Technology (Owens Code: INFO)
• IT Project Management Certificate (Owens Code: ZPMC)
• Licensed Practical Nurse/Associate Degree Nursing Progression Program (Owens Code: NRSL)
• Machining Certificate (Owens Code: ZMCC)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging Program (Owens Code: MRIT)
• Mammography Certificate (Owens Code: ZMAM)
• Manufacturing Foundations Certificate (Owens Code: ZMFC)
• Mechanical Major, AAS (Owens Code: SKTM)
• Medical Assisting Certificate (Owens Code: ZMDA)
  Medical Assisting Program, AAS (Owens Code: MDAP)
• Medical Coding Certificate (Owens Code: ZMED)
• Network Tech I Certificate (Owens Code: ZNTI)
• Network Tech II Certificate (Owens Code: ZNII)
• Networking and Information Systems Support, AAB (Owens Code: NIST)
• Nurse Asst Training/Home Health Aide Certificate (Owens Code: ZSTN)
• Occupational Therapy Assistant Program (Owens Code: OTAP)
• Pipe Welding Certificate (Owens Code: ZPWL)
• Pipefitting/Plumbing Certificate (Owens Code: ZPPC)
• Plate Welding Certificate (Owens Code: ZPLW)
• SMAW Welding Certificate (Owens Code: ZSMW)
• Sterile Processing Certificate (Owens Code: ZSPC)
• Surgical Technology, AAS (Owens Code: SURT)
• Tool and Die/Mold Maker Certificate (Owens Code: ZTLD)
• Web Developer Front-End Certificate (Owens Code: ZWFC)
• Welding Major (Owens Code: WELD)
• Wide-Area Networking Technology, AAS (Owens Code: WANT)

Questions?
If you have any questions regarding this program, please contact chooseohiofirst@owens.edu.

The Education Training Voucher (ETV) provides assistance to youth who have emancipated from foster care or were adopted at the age of 16 or older and who are enrolled in post- secondary educational programs. The young adult must have a high school diploma or GED to be eligible.

Funding can be used to assist with tuition, books, computers, school supplies, living expenses, rent, childcare, health insurance, groceries and transportation. In addition, young adults who are enrolled in the ETV program, and reach their 21st birthday, may continue receiving vouchers until their 23rd birthday. Though this only happens if enrollment into the program is progressing toward a satisfactory completion of that program.

Click here for additional details.

The Commercial Truck Driver Student Aid Program provides funding for eligible Ohio students enrolled in the CDL program.

Eligibility requirements

To qualify for the Commercial Truck Driver Student Aid Program, you must:

• Be enrolled in the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) program
• Pass a drug test within two weeks of the class start date
• Not have more than three moving violations in two consecutive years
• Not have pled guilty to or been convicted of operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or a drug of abuse in the past twelve months
• Provide documentation of Ohio residency such as a valid driver’s license or voter registration and proof of mailing address
• Be registered for Selective Service if required to register by law
• Commit to reside in and be employed in Ohio for a minimum of one year upon completion of a CDL program
• Complete a signed promissory note, which contains the repayment agreement for the loan portion

Awards

• The Commercial Truck Driver Student Aid Program can be used for tuition and related expenses for the CDL program which are reflected on your tuition bill, not to exceed $10,000. One half (fifty percent) of the award is a grant and the other half (fifty percent) is a loan.
• If other programs pay for a portion of your costs, this program can be used to cover the remainder of the costs, with the remainder split into 50% as a grant and 50% as a loan.
• You must complete at least 25% of the CDL program to be eligible for funds.

• School of Business, Hospitality Management and Public Safety
• School of Liberal Arts
• School of Nursing and Health Professions
• School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

The list below is updated regularly as information is received from local organizations.

Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation Scholarships for local students

Greater Toledo Community Foundation Scholarships for local students pursuing higher education
Most deadlines are in early February for the upcoming academic year.

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship for the nation's top community college students seeking to complete their bachelor's degrees at 4-year colleges or universities. The application is available beginning in early fall of each year.

Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation Scholarships for students planning to pursue careers in agriculture. Applications are available January 1 through March 31 of each year.

SME Education Foundation Scholarships for students pursuing degrees in degrees in manufacturing, engineering, or a technical field that supports manufacturing. Note: Owens students will be considered for the Honda Excellence in Manufacturing Scholarship if funding is available. Application is available November 1, 2025, through February 1, 2026.

There are numerous free scholarship searches available to you, such as the ones listed below.

Avoiding scams

You should avoid scholarship searches or applications which require a fee. Read more about how to spot potential scholarship scams. >>

Scholarship Search engines

College Board Scholarship
FastWEB
Scholarships.com
Supercollege.com