Grants

Grants, which fall into the broad category of gift aid, are awards that you do not have to pay back. They are awarded on the basis of need or residency, and are available through federal, state and Otterbein sources.

Available grants include:

Ammons-Thomas Enrollment Grant
Otterbein is committed to enrolling students of color. To assist our mission, we provide need-based grant dollars.

Otterbein Grants
are awarded to full-time undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students who already hold a bachelor's degree are not eligible.

Sibling Grant
A $1,000 annual Sibling Grant for each sibling is available to dependent undergraduates who are concurrently enrolled full-time at Otterbein College.

Federal Pell Grant
The Federal Pell Grant program provides funds to eligible full- and part-time students who have completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Pell Grants listed on the award letter as "Estimated" will not be confirmed until a valid Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) or Student Aid Report (SAR) is received by the Financial Aid Office or verification is completed. These documents are produced as a result of filing the FAFSA.

Federal Academic Competitiveness Grants (ACG)
ACG are awarded to first and second year undergraduate, full-time, Pell eligible, U.S. citizens who have successfully completed a recognized rigorous high school program. Second year students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) to mainitains eligibility.

National Science and Mathematics Access To Retain Talent Grants (National SMART Grant)
The SMART Grants will provide funding for each of the third and fourth years of undergraduate study to full-time students who are U.S. Citizens eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, and majoring in physical, life or computer sciences, mathematics, technology, or engineering or in a "critical" foreign language. A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 in course work requried for the major must be maintained.

Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant
This grant is awarded to a limited number of students who demonstrate exceptional financial need. Eligibility is dependent upon available federal funding. Priority is given to students with Federal Pell Grant eligibility.

Ohio College Opportunity Grant, Ohio Instructional Grant and Other State Grants
Many states, such as Ohio, Pennsylvania and Vermont, offer grants which may be used to help meet direct educational costs at Otterbein. Application is made by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). First-time College students beginning in the 2006-2007 award year will be evaluated for Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG).  Any student enrolled prior to the 2006-2007 award year will have eligibility evaluated for the Ohio Instructional Grant program.  OCOG and OIG grants will be confirmed when our office receives notification from the Ohio Board of Regents. Transfer students must complete the appropriate state grant transfer forms.

Ohio Student Choice Grant
The Ohio Student Choice Grant, currently valued at $660, is available for Ohio residents enrolled full-time at a private Ohio College. Students who have been enrolled full-time prior to July 1, 1984, or already hold a bachelor's degree, are not eligible. The Residency Affirmation Statement must be on file in the Financial Aid Office for students who do not file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Transfer students must complete the appropriate state grant transfer forms.

United Methodist Ministerial Grants
These grants are awarded to dependent children of United Methodist clergy persons who are probationary members, elders in full connection, or Deacons in full connection. Recipients are eligible to receive a grant of $7000 annually for four years. Children of retired or deceased clergy persons may also be eligible.