Scholarships

John H. McConnell Blue Jackets Scholarship– this scholarship is open to any Central Ohio senior planning to attend a two or four year college. Seniors applying must be goal oriented, have a commitment to serve others, possess strong leadership qualities and have a passion for improving others lives. Must be available for a late February interview for the top 3 finalist. All application must be submitted online by noon on January 17, 2025. 

Ohio JCI Senate Scholarship– this scholarship is open to all seniors planning to attend a post-secondary college, university, or vocational school. The scholarship is provided through the Ohio Jaycees Foundation. Scholarships are given based on academics, need, or vocational/trade school. Ohio will be giving 5 $1000 scholarships, in addition to forwarding two students on to the US JCI. Applications must be mailed to the Ohio Jaycees prior to the application deadline. Applications may be sent to Melissa Schnipke Ohio JCI Scholarship Chairman 24030 Road Q Fort Jennings, OH 45844. Email ohjcischolarship@gmail.com with questions. Must be postmarked by January 17, 2025. 

Ohio Township Association Scholarships– Five $1500 scholarships are awarded annually. Three types of scholarships are offered. Academic Achievement (2): For a student who excels academically. To qualify, a student must have a cumulative “B” average and at least a 22 ACT or 1000 SAT. Local Government Achievement (2): For a student who demonstrates outstanding citizenship through service and participation in community activities. Trade School Scholarship (1): For an excellent student who is choosing to attend a vocational or trade school. To qualify, a student must have a cumulative “B” average and complete the scholarship questionnaire. Deadline: January 31, 2025. 

Marion Community Foundation Scholarships– Several scholarships are open to HS seniors attending specific post-secondary education programs, Morrow County residents, or students of a Morrow County HS. The linked PDF has the universal application link and a list of scholarships that may be applicable to you. Deadline: February 11. 2025 at 1:00PM.   

Scholarships for Military Children– there are over 500 scholarships of $2,000 or more available to students who possess a valid (not expired) U.S. Uniformed Services Identification and Privilege Card (DD Form 1173) and whose parent(s) are serving, or have served, in the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force or Coast Guard. See linked website for information and rules. Deadline: February 12, 2025 11:59PM EST. 

Engineers Foundation of Ohio Scholarships– The scholarships offered to students who have been admitted to engineering programs approved by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET), and who seek financial assistance to pursue this education. To be eligible for these scholarships, a student must meet all of the following criteria: be a graduating high school senior (exceptions noted in individual scholarship descriptions);  have at least a 3.0 (A=4.0) grade point average;  meet the minimum SAT (Math=600, Reading or Composition=500) or ACT (Math=29, English=25);  be a citizen of the United States and a permanent resident of the State of Ohio. Additional criteria is specified for some scholarships. Please read each description carefully. Deadline: February 15th, 2025. 

 Consolidated Cooperative Concern for Community Scholarship– “Concern for Community” is one of the seven guiding principles that all cooperatives follow. This scholarship is designed to empower and invest in students who have demonstrated a genuine care and concern for their communities. They are offering five $2,000 scholarships named in memoriam of five Consolidated trustees who dedicated their lives to community. These scholarships can be used for program tuition, books or course materials, room and board, and other education- or training-related expenses. Applicants must be graduating seniors whose parent(s) or legal guardian(s) are Consolidated Cooperative members, and who have plans to attend a college, university, trade school, or vocational training after graduation. Submit in-person or via mail. Deadline: February 21, 2025.

Ohio’s Electric Cooperative Academic Achievement Scholarship– Consolidated Cooperative is offering one $2,000 scholarship to the top applicant, who will have the chance to win up to $4,600 more from Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives. Finalists from each participating cooperative in Ohio will conduct interviews with a panel of independent judges to determine the top ten winners, and the honorable mentions. These scholarships can be used for tuition, books, room and board, and other education-related expenses. Applicants must be graduating seniors whose parent(s) or legal guardian(s) are Consolidated Cooperative members, and who have plans to attend a college, university, trade school, or vocational training after graduation. Submit in-person or via mail. Deadline: February 21, 2025. 

 OhioHealth Sports Medicine Foundation Scholarship-The OhioHealth Sports Medicine Foundation is proud to be awarding 4 $1000 scholarships. Applicants must attend an OhioHealth Sports Medicine affiliated high school (Highland qualifies), be a graduating senior, and plan to end a US institution majoring in a health care related field. Return the application form, transcript, 2 letters of recommendation, and essay to the address listed on the application. Deadline: February 28, 2025. 

Wright-Patterson Officers’ Spouses’ Club Scholarship– The Wright Patterson’s Officers’ Spouses’ Club is awarding scholarships to honor and aid military dependent children of officer and enlisted military members in our area who exemplify excellence in the classroom and in their local community. Deadline: February 28, 2025. 

Fishburn Family Scholarship– The fund was formed with funds donated to the Karen Fishburn Memorial Fund after her passing in September, 2013. Karen’s dedication to numerous Morrow County organizations and countless hours of volunteer work for organizations such as the Red Cross, Key Ministries, Morrow County Association of Business Women, Morrow County Board of Elections, and Marengo United Methodist Church, resulted in an unprecedented community outpouring at her calling hours. Annual scholarships are the Fishburn family’s way of honoring Karen for many years to come. Candidates must have a minimum 2.7 GPA and be pursuing a 4-year degree, full-time. The application does take time, so please plan accordingly. Deadline: March 1st, 2025. Columbus Foundation Application Link. 

Devin Aumend Memorial Scholarship– The scholarship was created by Devin’s Mother, Denise Aumend. Despite her physical disability, Devin was always involved in her community through activities including 4-H, Girl Scouts, and church youth activities. Throughout her life, Devin overcame many challenges and obstacles due to her physical disability. This led her to become an independents and determined young lady, maintaining excellent grades throughout school, and earning the title of Valedictorian of her Highland High School class of 2003. Devin completed her Bachelor’s Degree with honors, and her Master’s degree with honors. The Devin Aumend Memorial Scholarship is her mother’s way of honoring Devin for many years to come. Candidates must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and be pursuing a 4-year degree, full-time. The application does take time, so please plan accordingly. Deadline: March 1st, 2025. Columbus Foundation Application Link. 

Knox County Foundation Scholarships– over 135+ scholarships are available to Mount Vernon and Knox County students. You must complete the online application to see if you qualify for any of the scholarships offered. The Phil Burghard and Pauline Riel Scholarships are available to Highland students regardless if you live in Knox county or another county. Deadline: March 1st, 2025. 

Phil Burghard Memorial Scholarship– This scholarship is available who has been active as a varsity athlete and who will be enrolled in a post-secondary technical school or four-year college, with a preference to students pursuing the building trades. Ideally, the award should go to a student who possesses exemplary personal qualities and a positive attitude, as did the scholarship’s namesake, a member of the Highland High School Class of 1987. To be eligible, you must apply through the Knox County Foundation by March, 1st 2025. 

Pauline S. Riel Scholarship– The Pauline S. Riel Scholarship Fund was established in October 2003. Scholarships are awarded to residents of Knox or Morrow Counties who have graduated from Highland, Mount Gilead or Mount Vernon High Schools and are pursuing a career in education. Candidates must demonstrate financial need as well as scholastic achievement or promise, combined with a record of participation in school, personal, or community activities. Students are recommended by a family member based on nominations from each of the qualifying school systems. To be eligible, you must apply through the Knox County Foundation by March, 1st 2025. 

Ohio Natural Energy Scholarship- The Ohio Natural Energy Institute is proud to provide scholarships to students pursuing careers in the natural gas and oil industry. Each scholarship is worth $1,500 per year with a total of four years of potential eligibility. The minimum scholarship applicant criteria include: Must be a U.S. citizen; Must have a career goal in the natural gas and oil industry; Must be an OHIO resident OR a student attending, or planning to attend, an accredited OHIO college, university, technical or trade school; Must have and maintain a grade point average (G.P.A.) of 2.5 or higher. Deadline: March 1, 2025. 

Richard VanHorn Memorial Scholarship– this $1,000.00 scholarship is available to graduating seniors of Highland High School who will pursue a 1, 2 or 4 year program leading to a degree in the field of education. This scholarship is awarded by the scholarship committee at Highland High School. This scholarship application will be completed through the portal with the Troy Foundation. Deadline: March 7, 2025. 

Ohio Association of Garden Clubs Foundation, Inc. Scholarship– Scholarships are awarded to students who plan to attend a public college, university, or technical school to study in the fields of horticulture, conservation, nature and beautification, landscape design, landscape contracting, commercial florist or floral arts. Please see linked site for more information. Deadline: March 15th, 2025. 

Morrow County Township Association Scholarship– This is a $500 scholarship offered to a senior who resides in Morrow County. This scholarship will be awarded to a student who plans to continue his/her education at any form of post-secondary institution (four-year, two-year, career training, etc). Applications for the Morrow County Township Association Scholarship must be mailed to Morrow County Township Association, PO Box 417, Mount Gilead, OH 43338. Applications must be postmarked by March 31. All materials for the application must be mailed as a packet. If additional space is needed to answer the questions completely, please add additional sheet(s). Award will be based on community service, leadership qualities, and quality of character. Award is not heavily based on your GPA. An interview in early May may be requested. Deadline: March 31, 2025. 

Ben and Helen Swank Scholarship– In honor of the legacy of Dr. C. William Swank, who served as Ohio Farm Bureau executive vice president from 1968-1996, Ohio Farm Bureau is pleased to support the Bill and Helen Swank Scholarship Fund. During his 40-year career, Swank helped Ohio Farm Bureau grow into the advocacy organization it is today, all the while keeping the economic and social well-being of farm families top of mind. Applicant must be a resident of Ohio; Applicant or parents of the applicant must be Ohio Farm Bureau members; Applicant must be enrolled in one of the following courses of study: An accredited high school program with plans to pursue a degree as a full-time student in an accredited two-year technical school or a four-year college or university program; Special Consideration will be given to the following applicants: Graduates of Explore Ag or applicants who have served as an intern or State Fair Ambassadors at Ohio Farm Bureau. Deadline: March 31, 2025. 

Ohio Gas Association Scholarship– Must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident, Must have a career goal in the natural gas or related energy field, Must be an Ohio resident attending, or planning to attend an accredited Ohio college, university, technical or trade school, Must have and maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Deadline: April 1, 2025.

Kiwanis Club of Morrow County Scholarship– this scholarship is open to any senior planning on attending post- secondary education. Five winners from Morrow County schools will be chosen. Paper copies of application are in the guidance office. Completed application, essay, two letters of recommendation and your high school transcript must be included. Deadline: April 11, 2025. All materials must be submitted to Ms. Kennedy by the deadline. 

Janie Pruett Memorial Scholarship– The Baldwin Pruett Family Foundation is proud to partner with Highland High School to fund the Janie Pruett annual scholarship program. Janie was a 1978 graduate of Highland High School and a 1982 graduate of Lee University.  Janie chose a career in sociology with the goal of helping others.  Her life was cut short in a car accident in 1983 while working at a residential camp to help troubled teenage girls.  We would like to honor Janie’s memory of kindness and helpfulness with this scholarship program. The program will offer a $1,000 scholarship to two  Highland High School students that are pursuing a career with the intention of helping others. The scholarship will pay directly to the student for  a university, school or certificate program of each awardee’s choosing within 12 months of graduation.  The school can be any that requires a certificate or degree to be earned for career purposes. Students interested in the scholarship must submit a typed one-page, double spaced essay, that describes how he/she chose her career path with the intention of helping others.  It can include examples of how he/she has helped others in the past, what inspires him/her to choose a career to help others and/or how your chosen career is needed to help make a community better. Include your name and plans after high school at the top of the essay. Due April 25, 2025 to Ms. Kennedy in the guidance office.

Ramage Law Group Adopted Child Scholarship– $1,000 award to go to a student who has been legally adopted by one or both of their parents to be used towards college expenses. Minimum 3.0 GPA is required. Deadline: June 11, 2025. 

Scholarship Databases

Going Merry– state and national scholarships. Deadlines vary. Going Merry Scholarship List for Highland Students 

 Fastweb National Scholarship Search– Fastweb is a reputable site for searching and applying for scholarships on a national level. Deadlines vary.  

Top 175+ Scholarships for College– Comprehensive list of over 175 scholarships with various due dates and requirements. Deadlines vary. 

 National Student Scholarships– Several national scholarships. Deadlines vary.