The Ohio Governor's Merit Scholarship goes to the top 5% of every Ohio public and chartered nonpublic high school class, ranked by GPA at the end of junior year. It pays $5,000 a year for 2026-27, for up to eight semesters, at Ohio public colleges and Ohio private nonprofit colleges. There's no application if you attend one of those high schools: your school nominates you, and the state notifies you. You do have to accept it by May 15.
The rules below are from the Ohio Department of Higher Education's (ODHE) guidance memo to colleges (FA27-003, updated July 22, 2026) and ODHE's admission portal FAQs.
Who qualifies
- Top 5% of your class, based on GPA at the end of junior year, at an Ohio public or chartered nonpublic high school.
- An Ohio resident. Colleges, not ODHE, verify residency before paying the award.
- A junior on track to graduate when eligibility is determined, and you graduate on time. Students facing extenuating circumstances, such as a major illness, can appeal.
- Registered for Selective Service, if required by law.
Rank is fixed at the end of junior year. ODHE's FAQ is explicit: a student who moves into the top 5% during senior year can't be added, and declined offers aren't reissued to other students. The scholarship started with the class of 2024; earlier graduates aren't eligible.
Homeschooled students, dropout prevention and recovery students, and nonchartered nonpublic school students apply through ODHE's portal with an ACT or SAT composite score (not a superscore). The 2026 window ran Sept. 4 to Oct. 16, 2026.
What it pays
| 2026-27 | |
|---|---|
| Annual award | $5,000 |
| Per term | Up to $2,500 (two semesters or three quarters a year) |
| Part-time students | Same $5,000; not prorated |
| Maximum length | 8 semesters or 12 quarters |
| Covers | Tuition, fees and other costs (books, housing, transportation) up to cost of attendance |
| Where | Ohio public colleges and Ohio private nonprofit colleges |
Source: ODHE, FA27-003 and Governor's Merit Scholarship FAQs.
ODHE says the award is "up to $5,000" and could be reduced if awards ever exceed the state appropriation; for 2026-27, it's the full $5,000.
Deadlines and time limits
- Accept by May 15 in ODHE's portal (meritscholarship.ohio.gov). You can select "Undecided" if you haven't chosen a college. Awards not accepted are rescinded.
- Enroll within two years of high school graduation, or the offer is rescinded.
- Use it all within six years of accepting.
- Transfers between qualifying Ohio colleges are allowed. Tell ODHE where you're transferring.
Keeping it
Renewal requires ODHE's own academic progress standard, which overrides your college's:
- A cumulative college GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- At least 20 credit hours a year, with progress toward a degree.
Colleges check at the end of each academic year. If you fall short, you can appeal to your college's financial aid office; if the appeal is denied, you lose the scholarship permanently, including at any other college.
The admission guarantee that comes with it
The same top-5% ranking also guarantees you admission to the main campus of every Ohio public university, including Ohio State, under Ohio Guaranteed Admission, as long as you apply by the deadlines. See Ohio Guaranteed Admission.
What this means for you
- Juniors: your GPA at the end of this school year decides it. There's no second chance in senior year.
- Seniors: watch for ODHE's notice and accept in the portal by May 15.
- Plan on an Ohio college if you want the money; going out of state forfeits it for good.
- Keep a 3.0 and take 20 credits a year in college to renew.