Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG)

Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG)

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Ohio Department of Higher Education
Last Updated: August 19, 2025

Summary

The Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG) is designed to assist Ohio residents with significant financial need, as determined by the FAFSA. Eligible individuals include those pursuing associate degrees or first bachelor's degrees at recognized institutions, with a maximum household income of $96,000. The grant adapts based on tuition costs, ensuring support for students in various programs, including foster youth and veterans at community colleges. This initiative fosters access to higher education across Ohio.

Overview

Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG) The Ohio Department of Higher Education administers the Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG) program, which provides grant money to Ohio residents who demonstrate the highest levels of financial need (as determined by the results of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) that should be completed) who are enrolled at Ohio public colleges or universities, Ohio private, non-profit colleges or universities, and Ohio private, for-profit institutions.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Ohio residents in an associate degree, first bachelor’s degree, or nurse diploma program at an eligible Ohio or Pennsylvania institution with an SAI (Student Aid Index) of $3,750 or less and a maximum household income of $96,000.Eligible foster youth at community colleges may qualify for OCOG using main campus award amounts.Eligible students receiving federal veterans’ education benefits at community colleges may qualify for OCOG using main campus award amounts.Eligible students attending a community college or regional campus year-round who have exhausted their Pell grant for the year, may be eligible for a main campus term award for the third-term.Tuition level/costs are the determining factors in receipt of an OCOG award and therefore students at these institutions have an adjusted OCOG award amount. Students eligible under the dual enrollment, foster youth, or veteran provisions may receive OCOG for all terms in the academic year up to the main public or private, non-profit award amount.If the student attends year-round, they may be eligible for an award up to the main public or private, non-profit award amount for their third term once Pell grants have been exhausted for the academic year.Amounts for Ohio residents attending eligible Pennsylvania institutions-- $600/$300 figures to non-veterans and $800/$400 figures to veterans.