The Ohio National Guard Enlisted Association (ONGEA) will award scholarship grants as approved by the ONGEA Executive Board. Applicants must be enrolled at a college, university, trade or business school in order to receive funds. Graduate students are only eligible for the ONGEA Leadership Scholarship, and must meet all eligibility requirements. Leadership applicants who are not selected will become eligible for the traditional scholarship, if availability exists. There shall be no consideration whatsoever given because of rank or grade of applicant or applicant’s parents. Grants will be awarded on the basis of scholarship, character, leadership, and need.
ONGEA Scholarships are a one-time award. Previous winners are not eligible to apply. If the school term is not completed due to causes other than illness or physical injury, the student will refund the scholarship award. Please read the scholarship material and complete the application in full.
Scholarship recipients will be recognized at the annual ONGEA Awards Banquet, and winners are strongly encouraged to attend.
These scholarships are made possible by generous donations from ONGEA, First Cleveland Cavalry-Norton Memorial Fund, and United States Automobile Association (USAA).
ONGEA SCHOLARSHIP ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
-Children of enlisted ONGEA members.
-Unmarried dependent sons and daughters of deceased enlisted ONGEA members who were in good standing at the time of their death.
-Enlisted ONGEA members who are currently serving or retired from the Ohio National Guard.
ONGEA SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION PACKETS:
-Completed online application
-Letter from applicant which states their desire to continue their education, outlines their individual future goals and objectives, and comments as to the value that this financial aid will afford.
-Three letters of recommendation verifying the application and giving general personal traits (high school principal, counselor, professor, minister, employer, etc.).
-Transcript of high school credits (and/or college credits, as applicable).
-Photo suitable for publication
-Sponsor’s ONGEA membership card.
PLEASE NOTE: Former recipients of an ONGEA scholarship are not eligible to apply. Those persons who have applied for a scholarship and were not awarded a scholarship may reapply. This scholarship can be applied to the 2025-26 school year only.
ONGEA LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION PACKETS:
Eligibility/application process for the ONGEA Leadership Scholarship will be the same as stated above, with the following exceptions:
-Applicant must be currently serving in the Ohio National Guard, with a minimum of two years service (dependents not eligible).
-Three letters of recommendation need to be received from the following: two recommendations must be from the applicant’s military chain of command within the last two years (senior NCO or officer) and one civilian character reference.
-Additional Requirement: Compose a 1-2 page essay, “What Leadership Means to Me” (minimum 600 words).
Selection will be made by a special committee to be appointed by the ONGEA president. Eligible runners-up will default to traditional scholarship competition if eligible.
TO APPLY, PLEASE COMPLETE THE APPLICATION BELOW AND UPLOAD ALL OF THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS. MAKE SURE ALL OF YOUR SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ARE UPLOADED WHEN YOU SUBMIT. PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT MULTIPLE APPLICATIONS.
DEADLINE TO APPLY IS APRIL 1, 2025.