2025 Scholarships
Ohio GFOA’s scholarship opportunities support education and help individuals grow while alleviating the financial burden.
NATIONAL GFOA LEADERSHIP ACADEMY SCHOLARSHIP
Program Analysis
GFOA's Leadership Academy provides senior public and government finance professionals an opportunity to bolster their leadership and management skills to better serve their communities.
Through sessions and self-assessments, participants will:
• Optimize their technical knowledge and abilities to enhance leadership skills
• Gain new ideas to improve their organizations and communities
• Learn from and be inspired by industry-leading speakers and change agents
• Be more prepared to lead teams, steer organization vision, and manage multiple stakeholders
• Hone their abilities to handle difficult discussions, politically complex initiatives, and challenging executive roles
• Strengthen their networks through new connections with speakers and peer participants
Who Should Attend?
Finance Directors
Assistant Finance Directors
Treasurers, Department Managers
City Managers
Assistant City Managers
CPE Credits
Attendees can earn 30 CPE credits through participation.
Additional information about the program can be found at https://www.gfoa.org/leadership-academy.
Application Process
In order to be considered for the Ohio GFOA scholarship, candidates will first have to be accepted into the program by GFOA. GFOA will communicate with Ohio GFOA about the individuals who have been accepted into the Academy to help determine who will receive the scholarship. Individuals who have been accepted in the Academy, but who do not receive a scholarship through Ohio GFOA, are still eligible to attend. Click here to apply. Applications are due no later than September 12, 2025.
Tuition Fee/Scholarship
The Ohio Government Finance Officers Association (Ohio GFOA) shall select one participant and pay to GFOA the total $2,500 tuition cost on behalf of the scholarship recipient, which includes all speaker and working sessions, weekday lunches, and several dinners and receptions. In addition, Ohio GFOA will reimburse the scholarship recipient up to $2,000 for the cost of the hotel, registration, airfare and meals, not otherwise provided by GFOA, upon completion of the program. An expense reimbursement form shall be completed by the scholarship recipient and sent directly to the Ohio GFOA office, attention Nancy Waterhouse, Executive Director. Receipts greater than $25 must be included in order to receive the reimbursement.
Following the Academy
Within one month of completing the course work at the Academy, the recipient shall prepare and submit an article to the Ohio GFOA quarterly newsletter, describing the experiences, benefits, and the learning accomplishments. In addition, the recipient shall accept an appointment to serve as an active member on the Ohio GFOA Education Committee.
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:
