About
Learn about our mission.
Give.
Make a difference by supporting FAO.
Grow.
Discover FAO's funds and programs.
Create.
Join FAO in creating opportunities.

Donor Spotlight

Donor Spotlight

Jan & Tom Hodson | Make a Difference with Their IRAs

Learn more

Scholarship Applications

The following scholarship applications are available at this time:

FAO’s general scholarship application supports 20 scholarship funds in one easy-to-access application. Applications are open February 15 – March 15 annually. The general scholarship application is currently closed and applications are under review.

  • AK Steel Foundation Scholarship
  • Ariana R. Ulloa Scholarship
  • The Bellisio Foods Scholarship
  • Bob Evans and Wayne White Scholarship
  • Charles E. Chippi Scholarship
  • Davey L. and Sandra Jackson Turner Memorial Scholarship 
  • Jeff and Jane Schumacher Cox Scholarship
  • Jennifer Garrison Public Service Scholarship
  • Jenny Cornelius-Woltz Memorial Scholarship
  • Loran and Shirley Stutz Scholarship 
  • Michael C. Long Legacy Scholarship
  • Ora E. Anderson Scholarship
  • The Lee Beckett Legacy Scholarship
  • The Lester and Thelma Ellwood Educational Scholarship 
  • The James and Martha Thomas Scholarship 
  • The Jim Raeder Helping Hands Scholarship 
  • The John G. and Suzanne Scott Weber Scholarship
  • The Rose Elizabeth Bell MacConkey Scholarship Fund for Women Going into a Career in Business
  • The Mandy McGlumphy Social Work Scholarship
  • The W. Donald and Marian Porter Huffman Family Scholarship

The Cambridge High School Scholarship Application supports 21 scholarship funds in one easy-to-access application. The scholarship application will be accepted from February 15 to March 15 annually. The application is currently closed and applications are under review.

• Achilles Nicholakis Scholarship Trust Fund
• Art Clemenson Scholarship
• Bruce Orahoske Scholarship Fund • Cecil J. McFarland Science Scholarship
• Charles E. Jefferson Award
• Charles R. Nelson Scholarship Fund
• Charles W. & Olive L. Hanna Scholarship Fund
• Dave & Janet Mitchell Fastpitch Scholarship
• Elizabeth Burgess Briggs Trust Fund
• Erven Trust Fund
• Gregory Cardamone Scholarship

• Harvey & Edna Ferrier Scholarship Fund
• Isaac and Carey Esper Scholarship Fund
• Joe Mowad Memorial Scholarship Fund
• John and Rose Dunlavy Scholarship Fund
• Kathryn L. Duffey – Baker and Hostetler Scholarship
• Mary Moore Scholarship Fund
• McMillen/Masters Scholarship
• Ralph G. Ferguson Scholarship Fund
• Russel B. Diehl Scholarship
• Whitney Proctor Scholarship Fund

The Bachtel Scholarship will be awarded to graduating seniors from Meigs High School. Two scholarships in recognition of athletic excellence and two scholarships in recognition of academic achievement. Eligible students must be nominated by the administrative or teaching staff of Meigs High School or a member of the Meigs High School parent-teacher/booster organization. Please see your guidance counselor for more information.

The G.D. Agnew Scholarship is available to graduating seniors of Guernsey County, Ohio, high schools (including students from those schools who attend the Mid-East Career Center). The scholarship application will be open from February 15 to March 15 annually. Applications are currently closed and are under review.

The Guernsey County Education Assistance Grant Fund is available to graduates of Guernsey County high schools, including Bishop Rosecrans, Buckeye Trail, Cambridge, Center Guernsey-Noble Career Center, Indian Valley, John Glenn, Meadowbrook, Muskingum-Perry Career Center, and Newcomerstown. The scholarship application is due by June 1, 2023. Click here for the 2023 GCEAGF application.

The Myron Fishel Scholarship will be awarded to Guernsey County residents planning and/or pursuing a post-secondary degree at an Ohio accredited institution of higher learning. The scholarship application will be open from February 15 to March 15 annually. Applications are currently closed and under review.

The Noble County Community Foundation Scholarship Fund will be awarded to one Caldwell High School graduate and one Shenandoah High School graduate. Applicants should be currently enrolled in an institution of higher learning, from a technical college, 4-year college, or graduate school. The scholarship application will be open from February 15 to March 15 annually. Applications are currently closed and under review.

The Dr. Allen Smith Memorial Scholarship Fund will be awarded exclusively to graduating seniors of Jackson City High School. Both the Smith Scholastic Award and Smith Community Service Award are intended to be awarded to students planning to attend a 4 year Ohio college or university. The scholarship application will be open from February 15 to March 15 annually. Applications are currently closed and under review.

Scholarship Selection and Payment Process

Each scholarship fund has its own selection process and guidelines. The Scholarship Advisory Committee for FAO's General Application reviews student applications in April. FAO will notify students who are selected for an award in early May via email (please check spam folders) or mail. Please feel free to email Scholarships@ffao.org or call 740-753-1111 with questions about the process.
To process your scholarship award payment, please send a copy of your fall class schedule showing the school name, your name, and your student ID number as proof of enrollment as soon as you have that information. Please email all correspondence to Scholarships@ffao.org, or send by mail to 35 Public Square, Nelsonville, Ohio 45764.
Once your payment is sent, the Scholarship Manager at FAO will notify you via email (check spam folder). It may take time for the award to appear in your student account. If you would like to find out about the status of your scholarship payment, contact Scholarships@ffao.org or call 740-753-1111.

Top Frequently Asked Questions for Scholarships

Each scholarship is different and has unique requirements. However, the most common requirements are listed below.
  • Personal Statement Questions
  • Transcript(s)
  • Student Aid Report from Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  • Letters of Recommendation (Appraisal Forms)
FAO's General Scholarship application is due March 15, 2022. Other scholarship applications process may have different deadlines.

Figuring out how to pay for college can be a stressful and challenging process. Most students will need some type of financial aid in order to pay for college expenses. Several types of financial aid are available, although each type is different in how it is awarded and how or whether or not it must be paid back.

Grants are a form of gift aid that means they do not need to be paid back, making them an ideal form of financial aid. Grants are awarded based primarily on financial need, but may also be based on merit. The largest grant program is the Federal Pell Grant. Other federal, state, and college grant programs are also available for qualifying students. To be eligible for these grants, you must complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).

Scholarships are another form of gift aid, which are often awarded for achievement in academics, leadership, arts, athletics, financial need, or other criteria. Scholarships may come from private donors, businesses, organizations, foundations, or even colleges themselves.

  • Begin your college scholarship search with the high school guidance office. Here you can ask for local grants and scholarships that are awarded to the students at your high school every year.
  • The college admissions office is the next stop for scholarship information. Check to see what scholarships are available for students planning to attend the college and the list of qualifications for each. Do you already know what you’ll be studying? Then mention that, they may know of scholarships for the major your planning to study.
  • Call the University System of Ohio’s College Access Information Hotline to learn more about statewide scholarship opportunities: 1-800-AFFORD IT (233.6734) or visit ohiohighered.org. Two places to look when searching for scholarships on the internet is CollegeBoard.com and FastWeb.com. Both websites have been around for over 15 years and will give you a list of recommended scholarships. Be sure to verify any offers. You will want to be on your guard against college scholarship scams found in your email, in your snail mail, and even advertised in your newspaper.

Student Loans are a type of financial aid that must be repaid. They are available in two main forms: federal government loans and private loans, and maybe secured by both students or parents. Federal loans generally have lower interest rates and more repayment options than private loans, but some communities offer student loan programs at reduced interest rates or interest-free, so it pays to research various local opportunities to secure student loans.

Work-Study, also based on financial need, allows students to earn money while attending college through a variety of campus jobs. Students are paid an hourly wage and may earn up to an amount specified as part of their financial aid award package.

Military Funding. Organizations such as ROTC or the National Guard may pay part or all of a student’s tuition and college expenses. Students should contact local recruiters for information.

Additional ways to fund your college education include the following:

Cooperative Education – Students may earn money for college and college credit through a combined program in which they work as they attend school.

Part-time Employment – On-campus or off-campus jobs can often be tailored around students’ class and study schedules.

Tuition Payment Plans – Many colleges allow students to pay their tuition in installments rather than all at once.

Prepaid Tuition Plans – Some states offer prepaid tuition plans to qualified residents. The Ohio Tuition Trust Authority offers the CollegeAdvantage 529 Savings Plan.

We would like to thank the Ohio College Access Network for providing the above information to our organization and others throughout the state. OCAN is an independent 501 (c)(3) organization that provides leadership and support for Ohio college access organizations while working closely with the Ohio Board of Regents, the Ohio Department of Education, and the Ohio Business Roundtable to help increase the college going rate in the state.

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?

Our scholarship team is here to help you. Feel free to email Scholarships@ffao.org or call 740-753-1111 with questions.


35 Public Square, Nelsonville, Ohio 45764 | 740.753.1111 | info@ffao.org | appalachianohio.org