Provides resources like scholarships, mentorship and community events to foster care alumni enrolled in higher education. Ohio Reach is administered by the Ohio Children’s Alliance in partnership with the Ohio Department of Higher Education and acts as a network of professionals, advocates, and students across the State of Ohio determined to support former foster youth on their higher education journey. Visit the website for contact information.
ohioreach.org
Current high school students who attend or whose home Columbus City School is Linden-McKinley STEM Academy, South or Marion-Franklin High are able to have homework help, cultural field trips, college tours, test prep, career exposure, a six-week college-going experience with internship opportunities and more. This program is free for eligible students. Visit the website for more information and how to apply.
700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43205
nationwidechildrens.org/upwardbound
This program is an annual no-cost STEM program that prepares high school students to earn their Associate of Science degree at Columbus State Community College (CSCC). Visit the website for contact information.
550 East Spring Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
cscc.edu/academics/departments/science/futurescientists/stembridge.shtml
Provides high school students with year-round tutoring services, test preparation, college/cultural tours and personal/career development activities and workshops. They encourage first-generation and/or low-income college bound 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students who attend or live in the service areas of Briggs, East, South, or Walnut Ridge High Schools to apply for admission.
154 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210
(614) 292-0964
odi.osu.edu/upward-bound
Provides high school students the skills and motivation needed to complete an education at a college of their choice. The Upward Bound program at Columbus State Community College is available to income eligible students attending East, Linden-McKinley, Mifflin, West, or Marion-Franklin High School.
550 East Spring Street, Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 287-5353
cscc.edu/services/upwardbound
Their website has helpful information for students and their families about scholarships, HBCU (Historically Black Colleges & Universities) tours and college planning throughout high school.
PO Box 360832, Columbus, Ohio 43236
(614) 706-6909
gaddis4kids.org
Teen volunteers work in many areas, including the information desk, gift shop, sibling Clubhouse, clinic waiting rooms, Close to Home Centers and in office settings. Teens must be 15 and in high school to participate, and opportunities are available during the school year and summer.
700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43205
(614) 722-3635
nationwidechildrens.org/teen-volunteers
Volunteen College Scholarship: nationwidechildrens.org/giving/ways-to-give/volunteering/current-volunteers/teen-volunteer-scholarship
Volunteering for college students, adults, and groups: nationwidechildrens.org/giving/ways-to-give/volunteering
Offers animal and nature programs and camps for youth ages 18 months to adults. Programs range from homeschool opportunities, summer and holiday camps, to volunteer opportunities, internships and opportunities to earn high school credit. Scholarships are available.
Offers support programs for veterans and their family, such as temporary financial assistance, a cash grant to support minor children of veterans who are eligible for American Legion membership. They also offer youth programming, award college scholarships, and list veteran discounts and services and places to find counseling and mental health support.
National Headquarters: 700 North Pennsylvania Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46206
legion.org
Contact Information: legion.org/contact
A work program for adults age 18 and older that helps pay for college in exchange for their service through the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). Members tutor kids, build homes, help with disaster recovery and more. The projects can be full-time or part-time over a 9 to 12-month period or during the summer in many locations throughout Ohio and the US. After serving, young adults are eligible for an education award to repay qualified student loans and to pay current educational expenses at eligible institutions of higher education and training programs.
30 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 728-2916
National Service Hotline: (800) 942-2677
AmeriCorps: americorps.gov
ServeOhio: serveohio.org
The U.S. Department of State sponsors multiple programs for educational, cultural, and professional exchanges across the world. Full scholarships for youth are available.
exchanges.state.gov/us
High School Study Abroad: exchanges.state.gov/highschool
A division of AmeriCorps that brings together youth ages 18 to 24 for a year of full-time community service and leadership development. Participants work in local schools and may receive education awards, scholarships and paid stipends.
350 East First Avenue, Suite 250, Columbus, Ohio 43201
(614) 586-4520
cityyear.org/columbus
Their financial aid page has information about local, state and federal scholarship and grant opportunities.
550 East Spring Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
cscc.edu/services/financial-aid
Financial Aid Answers 24/7: cscc.financialaidtv.com
Offers programming for youth ages 11-18 focused on leadership training, mentorship and empowerment. The sessions are comprised of fun, interactive, educational and community service activities. The activities are a 10-month commitment. They also offer college scholarships.
P.O. Box 163304, Columbus, Ohio 43216
(614) 470-1913
columbusohdeltas.org/youthapplications
Provides helpful information on completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
formyourfuture.org
Provides educational support and college scholarships to the children of military service members, veterans, disabled veterans, and those killed during active duty.
101 Vintage Drive, Red Oak, Texas 75154
(817) 200-7465
gratitudeinitiative.org
High school student athletes participate in a one-year “coaching” program to develop skills in perseverance, professionalism, positivity and more. The program consists of a college scholarship, the assignment of a Handshake Coach, and several meetings throughout the calendar year to help prepare student-athletes for their future. The students submit applications in the middle of their junior year.
4010 East Fifth Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43219
handshakeamerica.org
Represents colleges and universities that are committed to helping Hispanics achieve success in higher education. Thousands of young Hispanics benefit from HACU with internships, scholarships, college programs, pre-college support and career development opportunities and programs.
hacu.net/hacu/HACU_Student_Programs.asp
Offers a range of services for students in Columbus City Schools to prepare them to enter and succeed in college, including providing help with financial aid and scholarships.
4200 East Regent Street, Columbus, Ohio 43219
(614) 233-9510
iknowican.org
Sponsors scholarships for students attending or planning to attend career colleges or technical schools. They have scholarships for high school graduates and grants for military students. Imagine America also has scholarship opportunities for adult learners. Their website has useful information on how to apply for scholarships and grants. Visit the website for contact information.
imagine-america.org
Includes information about the Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship Program, the U.S. Senate Youth Program and the Autism Scholarship Program. The Ohio Educational Choice (EdChoice) Scholarship Program provides scholarships or vouchers for students from under-performing schools to attend private schools.
25 South Front Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 728-2743 or (877) 644-6338
Text “OHED EC” to 468311 to get texts for EdChoice Scholarship
education.ohio.gov/Scholarships
education.ohio.gov/Media/Sign-up-for-Text-Alerts/Subscribe-to-Ohio-Education-Options-Text-Alerts
Their website has information about two-year and four-year programs, credit transfer, ways to help finance college and more. They also offer Ohio callers information on preparation for college, admissions, student financial aid, scholarship information and general facts about enrollment at colleges and universities throughout Ohio; visit their Contact Us page for those contacts.
25 South Front Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 466-6000
ohiohighered.org/students
ohiohighered.org/contact-us
This federally-funded, state-administered program helps youth who were in U.S. foster care. Students may receive up to $5,000 a year for qualified school related expenses. Funding is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible students.
(855) 471-1931
fc2sprograms.org/ohio
Foster Care to Success national website: fc2sprograms.org
Provides young artists in Ohio with opportunities to advance their talent through scholarships or simply experiencing the process of entering their work in a competition. The exhibition is open to all Ohio high schools, both public and private, chartered by the State of Ohio Department of Education.
197 South Westmoor Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43204
(614) 272-1678
govart.org
govart.org/scholarships.htm
Ohio Parent Teacher Association (PTA) offers scholarships in three areas: academic, technical and special education. Each scholarship award is $500. In order to apply, high school seniors must attend a school in a district that has one or more schools with official PTA status.
40 Northwoods Boulevard, Columbus, Ohio 43235
(614) 781-6344
ohiopta.org/scholarships
finaid.org
bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarship-search
chegg.com/scholarshipsiefa.org
careeronestop.org/toolkit/training/find-scholarships.aspx
unigo.com/scholarships
fastweb.com
aie.org
oedb.org/scholarships
collegescholarships.org/financial-aid
scholarships.com
cappex.com/scholarshipsscholarships.fatomei.com
gocollege.com/financial-aid
scholarships.uncf.org
destinationhbcu.org/scholarships.html
A nonprofit organization that supports high-achieving, low-income students to achieve success in college through their programs that offer an academic mentoring program for juniors and full four-year scholarships to colleges.
445 Sherman Ave, Palo Alto, California 94306
(888) 275-2054 Toll-free
questbridge.org
Students learn a new language, discover another culture, and truly become global citizens through an exchange program for youth ages 15-19, sponsored by your local Rotary club. Visit the website to find your local Rotary club.
rotary.org/en/our-programs/youth-exchanges
my.rotary.org/en/club-search
Provides individuals with low-interest loans. Loans will be provided for one-time expenses to individuals who can demonstrate that they can pay back the loan. Loans are for expenses such as a car repair, a home repair, educational expenses, and medical expenses not covered by insurance. They do not provide loans for expenses such as rent, food, or utilities. Individuals will also be provided with their own credit union account. They can also use this account for direct deposit of paychecks and to cash checks for free. All applicants will be visited by SVdP financial mentors who will provide information on finances, consumer protection information, and connect to other community resources.
197 East Gay Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 285-4473 or (614) 221-3554
svdpcolumbus.org/microloan_mission
Contact for Delaware, Fairfield, Knox, Licking and Ross County: svdpcolumbus.org/contact_info
Note: CAP4Kids does not recommend or endorse any specific company. We encourage families to carefully review and evaluate all services.
Offers over 200 scholarships for students from all walks of life. Visit their website to start your search.
columbusfoundation.org/students/scholarships
Provides free information on preparing for education beyond high school. Students can submit an online application for financial aid (FAFSA), get information about careers and find schools offering majors in those careers. They can also look for scholarships online. Click for a college preparation checklist, that explains how to prepare academically and financially for college with a ‘to do’ list for students and parents.
400 Maryland Avenue, Washington DC, 20202
(800) 433-3243 or (800) 730-8913 TTY
studentaid.gov
Additional Contact Information: studentaid.gov/help-center/contact
Provides an official guide to government information and services at the federal level. Examples of topics include financial help, disability services, how to prepare for and recover from disasters and emergencies, housing, jobs and unemployment, as well as taxes, immigration, how to research common U.S. laws, and file a complaint against the government and more.
(844) 872-4681
usa.gov
YFU offers over 200 full and partial merit-based scholarships and needs-based financial aid annually to students every year to study abroad scholarships.
yfuusa.org/study/scholarships