Ohio creates Student Choice Grant Program with $95 million appropriation for private nonprofit college students

Original title: Enact the Student Choice Grant Program

Last action · September 15, 2025: Referred to Workforce and Higher EducationSponsors: Daniel P. Troy and 4 others

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What This Bill Would Do

The Ohio General Assembly establishes the Student Choice Grant Program administered by the chancellor of higher education, appropriating $95 million for 2027 to provide tuition grants to eligible full-time Ohio residents enrolled in bachelor's degree programs at nonprofit private institutions.

Why it matters

Qualifying students receive direct reductions in their instructional charges paid to their institution, up to a formula-based limit, funded by a $95 million state for 2027 while excluding students enrolled before July 1, 2026, or serving prison terms.

Who It Would Affect

Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Ohio residents

Eligible full-time students attending private nonprofit colleges may receive grant funds that reduce their instructional charges.

Directly affected

Nonprofit Ohio institutions of higher education

Eligible institutions receive grant payments directly, must reduce student charges accordingly, and must report and refund ineligible moneys.

Directly affected

Department of Higher Education

The chancellor must establish, administer, and adopt rules for the grant program and distribute funds.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to receive a Student Choice Grant?

Ohio residents who have lived in the state for at least two years, are enrolled full-time in a bachelor's degree program at an eligible nonprofit Ohio institution of higher education, and maintain the required academic standard, provided they were not enrolled in higher education on or before July 1, 2026, and are not serving a term of imprisonment.

How are the grant funds disbursed to students?

Grants are paid directly to the institution in equal installments at the time of enrollment for each term, and the institution must reduce the student's instructional and general charges by the grant amount.

What is the total amount appropriated for the program?

The act appropriates $0 for 2026 and $95,000,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the General Revenue Fund under item 235531.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Procedural history

2 actions

Sep 15, 2025HouseCommittee
Referred to Workforce and Higher Education
Jul 21, 2025HouseIntroduced
Introduced

Version history

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