Ohio Governor's Merit Scholarship
Note: This information is valid for new students entering Cedarville in 2027–28. View all items in the State Aid category.
The Governor’s Merit Scholarship (GMS) is designed to incentivize Ohio’s top graduating high school seniors to attend a college or university within Ohio.
The GMS is offered to the top 5% (as determined by the high school and/or high school district) of graduating seniors in each of Ohio’s public and chartered, nonpublic (private) high schools. The GMS is also offered to homeschooled applicants ranked in the top 5% of either the SAT or ACT tests (CLT is not applicable).
Contact your guidance counselor for more information, or visit the Governor's Merit Scholarship webpage.
Criteria:
You may be eligible for the GMS if you meet the following criteria:
- You are a resident of Ohio.
- You are enrolled in an Ohio public high school or chartered nonpublic high school and determined to be in the top 5% of your graduating class OR you are homeschooled or attend an Ohio dropout recovery high school and are determined to be within the top 5% of similar applicants.
- Males must be registered with Selective Service.
- You were a junior on track for graduation (as determined by your high school) at the point of eligibility determination.
- You graduate from high school on time.
- Note: Students who face extenuating circumstances may appeal this requirement (e.g.: major illness that delays on-time graduation, etc.).
Application:
If you are attending a public or chartered nonpublic high school, you do NOT need to apply for the Governor’s Merit Scholarship. Your high school will determine if you fall within the top 5% of your class, and you will be notified (by email or U.S. mail) of the offer of a GMS award by November 1, 2026.
If you are homeschooled or attending a dropout recovery high school, you may qualify for the GMS by completing a college admissions test (ACT or SAT) and submitting an application to the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) via a secure online application portal (meritscholarship.ohio.gov). Homeschooled students will need to upload a letter from the superintendent of your school district excusing you from compulsory attendance. Your family should have received this letter at the beginning of the current school year. The application portal will open for applications at the beginning of the student’s senior year and will close by October 1, 2026.
Once a GMS award offer is made, the offer remains valid even if you change high schools (provided you continue to meet all eligibility requirements). You must actively accept the award through the secure online portal (meritscholarship.ohio.gov) by March 1, 2027. Any awards not accepted by March 1, 2027 shall be rescinded.
Award:
The Governor’s Merit Scholarship (GMS) provides up to $5,000 in financial assistance to high school seniors who are identified as graduating in the top 5% of their class or high school district. The GMS is renewable for up to four years of full-time instruction. The GMS is a scholarship, which means you do NOT need to pay it back. The GMS can be applied to tuition and fees, as well as other educational expenses (such as textbooks, equipment, housing, food, and transportation costs) up to your college or university’s published Cost of Attendance.
Renewable:
- Maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA
- Complete at least 20 credits throughout the academic year
- Demonstrate appropriate progress toward earning a degree