John B. Firestone Charitable Trust Scholarship Program

For the 2025-2026 Academic Year

The John B. Firestone Charitable Trust Scholarship Program provides college scholarships for qualifying students from Spencer, Ohio. Each year the importance of a bachelor's degree increases dramatically. This program strives to make college more affordable for everyone.

Scholar Requirements

In addition to submitting the application, you must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and upload the resulting Submission Summary (formerly SAR) to your application. The FAFSA Submission Summary includes your Student Aid Index (formerly EFC). For instructions, see www.fafsa.ed.gov.

The academic record of Black River High School students will be verified directly with the Guidance Office. If you are not currently a student at Black River High School but otherwise meet the eligibility criteria, submit an official copy of your most recent transcript from your college or high school within the application.

Selection Criteria

High School seniors and current college students may apply. Current scholars may apply for renewal. To be eligible for these scholarships, students must meet the following criteria:

  • Resident of Spencer Township or Spencer Village, Ohio.

  • Enrolled full-time in a bachelor's degree program at an accredited not-for-profit institution OR Enrolled full-time in a post-secondary technical program, certificate program, online program or associates degree program at an accredited not for profit educational institution.

  • Minimum 3.0 High School GPA, 3.0 college GPA for renewal.

  • Completion of scholarship application.

Graduate students will be considered depending on available funds and are required to maintain a 3.0 GPA.

All required materials must be received no later than April 1st. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Scholar selection and administration of the program is handled by The Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges (OFIC). Funds are sent directly to each scholar's college and applied toward the cost of tuition.  Since both tuition and the amount of financial aid offered varies greatly among institutions, scholarship amounts also vary depending on the college chosen and the estimated family contribution as determined by the FASFA. This often means students find that some colleges with higher stated tuition costs may be more affordable than some with lower stated costs.

Scholarships may be used at any accredited public or private institution in the United States.

Questions? Email scholarships@ofic.org

Q&A’s

  • High school seniors and current college students may apply. Current scholars may apply for renewal. To be eligible for these scholarships, students must meet the following criteria:

    • Resident of Spencer Township or Spencer Village, Ohio

    • Enrolled full-time in a bachelor's degree program at an accredited not for profit institution OR Enrolled full-time in a post-secondary technical program, certificate program, online program or associates degree program at an accredited not for profit educational institution

    • Minimum 3.0 High School GPA, 3.0 for renewal

    • Completion of scholarship application

    Award is renewable for up to four years for an undergraduate.

    Graduate students will be considered depending on available funds and are required to have and maintain a 3.0 GPA.

  • Selection is based on academic merit, demonstrated leadership, community service, and financial need.

  • Decisions will be made and selected scholars will be notified by letter by May 31, 2025.

  • Selection is based on academic merit, demonstrated leadership, community service, and financial need.

  • Award funds will be distributed directly to the scholars’ institutions after enrollment verification in Summer 2025.

  • Yes, scholars may reapply for a renewal award. Renewal applicants must continue to meet all eligibility requirements.

  • Yes. Your personally identifiable information is kept secure. Only authorized employees, agents and contractors (who have agreed to keep information secure and confidential) have access to this information. To protect the information being gathered, the scholarship application site has security measures in place including firewalls, encryption, and authenticated access to internal databases where needed.

  • This academic record must come from your high school office or college registrar’s office and be signed by an appropriate official at the school or college. Some schools provide official transcripts digitally.

  • The Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges (OFIC) is partnering with Huntington Bank, the Trustee of the John B. Firestone Charitable Trust, to manage this scholarship program, including selecting the recipients and making the awards. This ensures the process is fair and objective.

  • Students applying for financial assistance to earn an undergraduate degree are required by most colleges to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form (www.fafsa.ed.gov). This application can be completed on paper or online. The results of this application are shown in the FAFSA Submission Summary (formerly SAR), which includes your Student Aid Index (formerly EFC)—the amount that your family can be expected to pay toward your education expenses for the year.