COLUMBUS, Ohio — Applications are now open for the 2026 Ohio Counties Scholarship, a program aimed at supporting students who plan to pursue careers in public service.
The scholarship is administered by the County Commissioners Association of Ohio Research and Educational Foundation. Since 2023, the foundation has awarded $30,000 in scholarships to 15 students from 14 Ohio counties. This year, five scholarships will be awarded.
Each scholarship is valued at $2,000 and will be offered to one student in each of the five CCAO districts: Central, Southwest, Northwest, Northeast and Southeast. The award is payable to the student after the foundation receives confirmation of enrollment at a university, community college, training program or vocational school.
Eligible applicants must plan to pursue a career in public service in Ohio. Fields of interest include, but are not limited to, elected office, public administration, civil service or government employment, social work, military service, education, health care, law enforcement and the justice system, emergency services, nonprofit and community service, conservation and wildlife, city or state planning, public works and workforce development.
The application is available online at CCAO.org/foundation. The deadline to apply is Friday, May 1.
The County Commissioners Association of Ohio Research and Educational Foundation was founded in 1991 as a nonprofit charitable organization affiliated with the County Commissioners Association of Ohio. The foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that secures grants and donations to provide information, tools and training for county officials and residents across the state.