Second Chance Grant Program
The objectives of the Second Chance Grant are to reduce financial barriers preventing Ohioans with some college credit but no bachelor's degree from returning to higher education and to increase the number of Ohioans with a degree or credential. Under this program, any student who meets the following criteria is eligible to receive financial assistance of up to $3,000 in grants toward their return to college in order to obtain a degree or credential. Grants are awarded on a first-come first-serve basis.
To be eligible for the Second Chance Grant, a student must meet the following criteria:
- Current Ohio resident
- Must be registered for Selective Service (if applicable)
- Has not obtained a bachelor's degree from any institution of higher education
- Stopped attending a qualifying institution* and did not transfer to a qualifying institution* or an institution of higher education in another state in the two semesters or eight months immediately following the last term of enrollment
- Was in good academic standing with no record of disciplinary issues (including suspension or expulsion) at the time they stopped attending
- Will be en-rolling at a qualifying institution* within five years of their last term of enrollment
- For the purposes of the Second Chance Grant, participation in College Credit Plus is not considered when determining past or current enrollment
- Must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and accept any federal and state need-based and/or scholarships
- Must be pursuing a bachelor's degree, associate degree, undergraduate certificate or certification. There are no restrictions on a particular major or program. Students who already possess a degree or credential MUST be pursuing a degree or credential beyond that which they already possess to qualify for a Second Chance Grant:
- Students possessing an associate degree must be pursuing a bachelor's degree
- Students possessing a certificate must be pursuing an associate or bachelor's degree
- Students possessing a certification must be pursuing a certificate, associate degree or bachelor's degree
- Not a recipient of one of the following state-supported scholarships: Choose Ohio First Scholarship, Ohio Safety Officers College Memorial Fund, Ohio War Orphans and Severely Disabled Veterans' Children Scholarship Program, or Ohio National Guard Scholarship
If you are eligible to receive the Second Chance Grant, you will be notified via email from the Financial Aid Office with the next steps. For more information regarding financial aid, visit Lakeland's Financial Aid Office.
*Qualifying Institutions are defined as one of the following:
- A state institution of higher education, as defined in section 3345.011 of the Revised Code;
- A private nonprofit institution of higher education that holds a certificate of authorization pursuant to Chapter 1713. of the Revised Code;
- An institution with a certificate of registration from the Ohio State Board of Career Colleges and Schools under Chapter 3332. of the Revised Code;
- A private institution exempt from regulation under Chapter 3332. of the Revised Code as prescribed in section 3333.046 of the Revised Code;
- An Ohio Technical Center, as defined in section 3333.94 of the Revised Code.
