Ohio EPA Scholarship
These merit based, nonrenewable scholarships will be given to undergraduate students enrolled at an Ohio public or private college/university/community college who can demonstrate their knowledge and commitment to careers in environmental sciences or environmental engineering. Students must be entering their Junior or Senior year. Awardees will be selected by the Academy appointed panel. Scholarships may be used for tuition, fees, books, personal protection equipment, tools, instruments and field equipment but not housing.
All submissions are online. More information for where and how to submit can be found below. A list of previous awardees and the topics of their projects can be found on the Ohio EPA website.
Also, more information can be found on this palm card from the Ohio EPA.
I would like to work with environmental policy while having a background in related research areas like chemical fate and climate analysis. Being a self-supporting student means that I will have an array of challenges to overcome financially. Opportunities like these make it possible for me to succeed and use my skills for the greater good.
Collin Lester
OEPA Scholar, 2021
HOW TO APPLY
Application Materials:
Please review the requirements for your application carefully. Instructions and application can be found HERE. Applications are accepted from Feb 15th to April 15th.
- A current (full) transcript and circle the GPA. The transcript must include all courses taken to-date. Applicate must have a minimum 3.0 CPA to apply.
- Attach a maximum two-page vita, biosketch, or resume that includes the following elements, in this order: complete contact information, education, employment and/or internships (basic information only), honors/ awards, professional memberships, publications (full citation), presentations given, and professional meetings attended, and community service.
Each of the following essays may not exceed one two-sided page, double spaced, 12-point font, 1” margins. - (Essay 1) Attach an essay to describe your reasons for choosing a career in environmental science or environmental engineering and how this scholarship will help you.
- (Essay 2) Attach an essay detailing any original research, scholarship, employment and/or internships, or other unique contributions to environmental science or environmental engineering.
- (Essay 3) Attach an essay describing your extracurricular activities and participation in organizations that demonstrate your leadership and interpersonal skills and social responsibility.
- Attach two letters of recommendation* from education or environmental professionals, addressed to Scholarship Review Committee. One must be from a faculty member at your institution.
* If necessary, your letters of recommendation can be mailed-in separately to:
The Ohio Academy of Science
5930 Wilcox Place Ste F
Dublin OH 43016
The deadline to submit an application is Tuesday, April 15, 2025.
I am sincerely honored to have been selected as a recipient of the 2021 Ohio EPA Scholarship which will help me focus on my continuing research experience with Dr. Suzanne Gray and my coursework without worrying about tuition costs as I begin the final year of my undergraduate journey.
Katherine Oriyo,
OEPA Scholar, 2021
ELGIBILITY
Up to $5,000 is available for students entering their junior or senior year in four-year and five-year programs in Ohio public or private colleges and universities and up to $2,500 is available to students in two-year degree program in Ohio public or private technical and community colleges.
This scholarship will assist me in reaching my professional goals by funding my last year at Miami University before I graduate and continue my education in environmental policy.
I am currently focusing on environmental federalism, water policy, and environmental protocols in my coursework and my research.
Blair Hassett,
OEPA Scholar, 2021
SELECTION CRITERIA
Scholarship awardees will be selected on:
- academic record with an overall GPA of at least 3.0,
- education, employment, and/or internships, honors/awards, professional memberships, publications, presentations given and professional meetings attended, and community service,
- reasons for choosing a career in environmental science or environmental engineering and how the scholarship will help,
- original research, scholarship, employment, and/or internships, or other unique contributions to environmental science or engineering,
- extracurricular activities and participation in organizations that demonstrate leadership, interpersonal skills and social responsibilities,
- letters of recommendation from education or environmental professionals.
Do I have to be majoring in Environmental Science or Environmental Engineering?
We are often asked if students have to be an Environmental Science or Environmental Engineering major, and the short answer is no. As seen here, the recipients of this scholarship come from a wide range of majors (data from the OEEF of the Ohio EPA). Please review the Selection Criteria (see graph at right) to see whether you would qualify for this scholarship.
SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
Applications for the Ohio EPA scholarship can be submitted here: https://form.jotform.com/OhioScience/oes-ee-application-submission
You will be prompted to supply necessary information and to upload your scholarship application.
Any additional documentation should be mailed to:
The Ohio Academy of Science
5930 Wilcox Place Ste F
Dublin, OH 43016
SUPPORT THE OHIO ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL FUND
Annually, during the public comment period, letters in support of OEEF grant programs, water quality education, citizen science, and environmental science and engineering career initiatives can be provided by electronic submission to oeef@epa.ohio.gov.