2025 Scholarships
Ohio GFOA’s scholarship opportunities support education and help individuals grow while alleviating the financial burden.

Traditional Student College Scholarship        Online Application Form
One (1) $1,000 Scholarship Awarded

Requirements:

  • Ohio resident enrolled full-time and entering at least the junior year of undergraduate study in an accredited Ohio college or university.
  • Declared major in a field of study related to accounting, finance, budgeting or other similar area.
  • Good academic standing.
  • Provide list of classes taken, grades (include grade scale) and current class schedule.
  • Statement regarding public sector career plans and why you deserve this scholarship.
  • Letter of recommendation.

Scholarship awarded as tuition reimbursement to student. Recipient to receive Ohio GFOA student membership, good through December 2026.

Ohio GFOA Board of Trustees family members are not eligible.

Deadline to apply is Monday, July 21, 2025.


Continuing Education Scholarship      Online Application Form
One (1) $1,000 Scholarship Awarded

 Requirements:

  • Current member of Ohio GFOA.
  • Minimum of two years employment in a government position (defined as direct government, school, library, non-private sector) preferably in finance, budgeting, accounting or related field.
  • Enrolled in an accredited Ohio college or university, working toward a declared degree in finance, budgeting, accounting or related area of study (Bachelor’s or beyond).
  • Statement of future plans in the public sector.
  • Copy of jurisdiction’s tuition reimbursement policy or, if none, statement of supervisor.
  • Letter of recommendation from the applicant’s supervisor and others, if applicable.

 Scholarship awarded as tuition reimbursement to student. 

 Current Ohio GFOA Board of Trustees and Scholarship Committee members are ineligible.

Deadline to apply is Monday, July 21, 2025.

Annual Conference Attendee Scholarship     Online Application Form
Three (3) Scholarships Awarded ($900 Value). Includes:

  • Ohio GFOA Annual Conference registration.
  • A two-night hotel payment, made directly to the conference hotel.
  • $100 for travel expenses, made payable to entity.
  • Ohio GFOA membership through December 2026. 

Requirements:

  • Must be an Ohio government employee.
  • A letter on government stationary, from the applicant’s supervisor, stating why the individual is worthy of the scholarship, that the applicant is permitted to attend the entire conference and that there are no other training opportunities nor financing available from the entity.
  • A statement, from the applicant, telling why they are deserving of the award.
  • Must be at least 21 years old, by September 1, 2025.

Deadline to apply is Monday, July 21, 2025.

 

First-Time Annual Conference Attendee Scholarship       Online Application Form
Five (5) Scholarships Awarded ($900 Value). Includes:

  • Ohio GFOA Annual Conference registration.
  • A two-night hotel payment, made directly to the conference hotel.
  • $100 for travel expenses, made payable to entity.
  • Ohio GFOA membership through December 2026.

Requirements:

  • Must be an Ohio governmental entity employee.
  • Must be a first-time Ohio GFOA conference attendee.

  • A letter on government stationary, from the applicant’s supervisor, stating why the individual is worthy of the scholarship, that the applicant is permitted to attend the entire conference and that there are no other training opportunities nor financing available from the entity.
  • A statement, from the applicant, telling why they are deserving of the award.
  • Must attend the conference welcome/business luncheon on Wednesday.
  • Must be at least 21 years old, by September 1, 2025.

Deadline to apply is Monday, July 21, 2025.

Annual Conference Student Attendee Scholarship             Online Application Form
Three (3) Scholarships Awarded ($900 Value). Includes:

  • Ohio GFOA Annual Conference registration.
  • A two-night hotel payment, made directly to the conference hotel.
  • $100 for travel expenses, made payable to entity.
  • Ohio GFOA membership through December 2026.

Requirements:

  • Must be a student enrolled in an accredited Ohio college or university.
  • Declared major in a field of study related to accounting, finance, budgeting or other similar area.
  • A letter on college or university stationary, from the applicant’s professor, in their field of study, stating why the individual is worthy of the scholarship and that the applicant is permitted to attend the entire conference.
  • A statement regarding public sector career plans, from the applicant, telling why they are deserving of the award.
  • Must attend the conference welcome/business luncheon on Wednesday.
  • Must be at least 21 years old, by September 1, 2025.

Deadline to apply is Monday, July 21, 2025.


Congratulations to the following 2024 Ohio GFOA Scholarship Recipients: 

Continuing Education Scholarship 
Brenna Toth, Accountant, City of Westerville 
 

First-Time Annual Conference Scholarship 
Stacy Burton, Assistant Finance Director, City of Sidney 
Jeremy Gray, Financial Reporting & Project Manager, City of New Albany 
Morgan Joeright, Deputy Director of Finance, City of New Albany 
 

GFOA Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO) Program Scholarship 
Jennifer Pae, Director of Finance, City of Fairview Park  
Keith Sperling, Assistant Director of Finance, City of North Olmsted 
 

National GFOA Annual Conference Attendee Scholarship 
Matthew Skitzki, Tax Administrator, City of Cuyahoga Falls 

 

National GFOA Leadership Academy Scholarship 
Grace Lifang Lin,  Finance Director, Cleveland Municipal Clerk of Courts 
Gina Love, Deputy Finance Director, City of Westerville 
 

Traditional Student College Scholarship 
 Braeden Gedeon, Ohio Northern University, Masters in Accounting Program