Grow Your Own: Sources of Financial Support
There are multiple providers of financial support for GYO programs, including:
State • Federal • Combined State and Federal • Local
State Sources of Support
Grow Your Own Teacher Scholarship Program
The Grow Your Own Scholarship Program seeks to support districts in recruiting staff and low-income students from the district to become teachers. Districts and schools with staffing needs must be actively participating in the program in order for staff and students to receive scholarships. The scholarship window opens twice a year. Prospective teachers can receive a scholarship of up to $7,500 per year in exchange for agreeing to teach 4 years in their home school district. Students need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application and be found to have a specific Student Aid Index to be eligible for this grant.
Forever Buckeyes
Forever Buckeyes is a provision of law allowing public or private Ohio high school graduates who moved out of state to return to Ohio and access undergraduate or graduate education at in-state tuition rates.
Ohio Department of Higher Education
The Ohio Department of Higher Education’s website provides information about paying for college and links to online resources. Programs included on that website include:
Ohio College Opportunity Grant
Ohio Work Ready Grant
College Comeback
Federal Sources of Support
Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program
The TEACH Grant Program gives grants to students who are completing or plan to complete the coursework required for a career in teaching. Students agree to teach in a high-need subject full time for at least 4 years at a school that serves students from low-income families. Elementary schools, secondary schools, and education service agencies are all permitted schools.
GI Bill
The GI Bill helps qualifying veterans and their family members receive funding to cover all or a portion of the costs for school or training.
Federal Pell Grants
Students who submit a FAFSA form may be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant. The funds are awarded based on need.
Federal Perkins Loan Cancellation
Some teachers are eligible to have their Perkins Loans cancelled, depending where and what they teach and on the number of years of service.
Teacher Loan Forgiveness
Teachers who teach for five full academic years at an eligible school with low-income students can have up to $17,500 of student loans forgiven.
Combined State & Federal Sources
Ohio Military Veteran Educator Program (OhioMVEP)
OhioMVEP is an overarching program that provides license fee waivers, Ohio Assessments for Educators test vouchers, Alternative Resident Educator Evaluation fee waivers, and a variety of other opportunities to military and veteran-affiliated personnel interested in working in Ohio public schools.
Ohio Troops to Teachers (TTT) is one resource within the OhioMVEP. TTT was originally funded with federal funding and now is supported through state funding. It provides 1:1 counseling and guidance to assist transitioning active-duty service members, currently serving reserve component service members, and military veterans in pursuing a career in public education (elementary, secondary, vocational, or other classified support role). The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce also waives the fees for educator licenses for veterans and current service members and provides vouchers for the Ohio Assessments for Educators.
To access support from the TTT team, military and veteran-affiliated personnel can reach out to OhioTTT@education.ohio.gov and complete a questionnaire to receive direct assistance with planning to obtain licensure or credentials to obtain a position in public education. According to an OhioMVEP representative, the team assists approximately 35 new contacts per week through the TTT resource.
Any new resources and opportunities released through the OhioMVEP will be updated on this webpage.
Local Sources of Funding
Districts, schools, and individual candidates can consider local funding opportunities for educational pursuit as well. Some examples of local funding for GYO include the following:
The Columbus Promise
The Columbus Promise provides tuition, a $500 stipend and additional support at Columbus State Community College to students from Columbus City Schools. Eligible students also need to complete the Free Application for Student Aid.
Capital City Teacher Residency Program
Students in the Columbus Promise program then can participate in the Capital City Teacher Residency Program, which is a collaboration between Columbus State Community College, Columbus City School district and Capital University to support individuals getting their degree and teachers’ license.
Inroads to Teacher Scholarship Award
The Cleveland Area Multicultural Educators Recruitment Association (CAMERA) offers the Inroads to Teacher Scholarship Award to students who currently attend or work in CAMERA districts.