Governor's Merit Scholarship launches in Ohio

Gov. Mike DeWine in collaboration with the Ohio Department of Higher Education has launched the Governor's Merit Scholarship Program.

The program was launched in an effort to increase the number of high-achieving high school graduates that stay in Ohio for college, according to a news release from DeWine's office.

A total of $20 million was appropriated for the first year of the program, which is open to graduating seniors in the top 5% of their class in the Class of 2024.

"With so many world-class higher education institutions in Ohio, we want to encourage all students to stay in-state as they continue their education and transition into careers," DeWine said. "Ohio is truly the heart of opportunity, and we want all Ohioans to find the path that is right for them, right here at home."

As part of the launch, an online portal has been created for school districts across the state to transmit information about their eligible students.

Students attending a public or chartered nonpublic high school do not need to apply for the Governor's Merit Scholarship, as their eligibility will be determined by their school. Homeschool and dropout recovery high school students may qualify by completing a college admissions test and submitting an application through the portal.

For students in the Class of 2024, the portal is expected to remain open through April 30, 2024.