Ohio Safety Officers College Memorial Fund

Name: Ohio Safety Officers College Memorial Fund

Award Amount:

• For students enrolled in associate’s or bachelor’s degree programs:
  • At Ohio public colleges and universities: Covers 100% of instructional and general fee charges.
  • At Ohio private (non-profit and for-profit) post-secondary institutions: Provides an annual award amount determined by the program.
• For students enrolled in certificate programs:
  • At public and private (non-profit and for-profit) post-secondary institutions: Covers instructional and general fee charges up to a specified maximum per academic year.

Overview:

The Ohio Safety Officers College Memorial Fund provides financial assistance to the children, spouses, and qualified former spouses of peace officers, firefighters, and certain other safety officers who have been killed in the line of duty anywhere in the United States. It also extends assistance to the children and spouses of U.S. armed services members who were killed in the line of duty during specific military operations or in combat zones designated by the President of the United States. The program aims to support the educational endeavors of eligible individuals by covering a substantial portion of their tuition and general fees at participating Ohio institutions.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Must be a current Ohio resident (note: recipients are not required to have been Ohio residents at the time the service member was killed in the line of duty).
• Enrolled or planning to enroll in an associate’s or bachelor’s degree program, or a certificate program, at a participating Ohio post-secondary institution.
• Be the child, spouse, or qualified former spouse of:
  • A peace officer, firefighter, or other qualified safety officer who was killed in the line of duty.
  • A member of the U.S. armed services who was killed in the line of duty during Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or in a combat zone designated by the President of the United States.
• Applicants who qualify for the Ohio War Orphan & Severely Disabled Veterans’ Children Scholarship Program are not eligible for this fund.

Application Process:

• Gather the necessary documentation:
  • For children or spouses of U.S. armed services members:
    • Copy of the marriage certificate (for spouses).
    • Copy of the Report of Casualty.
  • For children, spouses, or qualified former spouses of peace officers, firefighters, or other safety officers:
    • A letter from the Police and Fire Pension Board confirming that the parent or spouse was killed in the line of duty. Contact Vicki Whyte at 614-628-8350 or Cheryl Ribble at 614-628-8376 to obtain this letter.
    • Alternatively, a letter from the police chief or fire chief indicating that the parent or spouse was killed in the line of duty.
• Submit the required documents to the financial aid office at the participating Ohio institution where you are enrolled or plan to enroll.
• The financial aid office will coordinate with the Ohio Department of Higher Education to process your application and confirm your eligibility for the fund.

Additional Information:

• Recipients may enroll for full-time or part-time study at any participating Ohio post-secondary institution.
• The fund provides benefits for a maximum of the equivalent of four academic years of full-time or part-time undergraduate study. Part-time status is considered anything less than 12 credit hours but is counted as a full term of eligibility.
• For detailed guidelines, application instructions, and further assistance, please contact the financial aid office at your chosen institution or reach out to the Ohio Department of Higher Education.

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