2026 8th Grade Scholars Application

Application Deadline: Friday, January 30, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. (EST)

Important Date to Remember: All students accepted into the Clark State Scholars Program will be invited to attend the Scholars Induction Ceremony on Wednesday, April 22. Scholars will receive additional event information, but should make plans now to hold their calendars and arrive at 5:15 p.m.

Please Note: This application must be completed in its entirety and cannot be saved partially completed.



Program Entry Criteria (who is eligible to apply):

Enrolled in the eighth grade in Springfield City Schools, Global Impact STEM Academy, Graham Local Schools, Urbana City Schools, Clark-Shawnee Local Schools or Tecumseh Local Schools

Household size and annual household income amount meets federal income eligibility guideline for free meals or reduced priced meals as outlined in the USDA Income Eligibility Guidelines

Achieved a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 2.75 during student's seventh grade year

Neither parent or legal guardian has earned an associate's or higher-level college degree at the time of application

Scholars Program Entry Criteria:

We have read and agree to the Scholars Program entry eligibility criteria.

High School Scholars Criteria: Upon acceptance to the program, all Scholars and their parents/guardians must agree to uphold the following criteria throughout their high school career to remain eligible.

Maintain a 2.5 or greater cumulative GPA (grade point average)

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Maintain strong school attendance
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Participate in program activities, including attendance at monthly Mentor Sessions

Exhibit good citizenship (students must not have been suspended or expelled)

Stay enrolled in the district in which you were inducted*

Enroll at Clark State College the fall semester after high school graduation, submit the FAFSA and receive Federal Financial Aid Package at Clark State College

*Students maintain eligibility if they maintain district enrollment and attend Springfield-Clark CTC, Global Impact STEM Academy, School of Innovation, or Ohio-Hi Point.

High School Scholars Eligibility Criteria:

We have read and agree to the high school Scholars eligibility criteria.

College Criteria & Scholarship Eligibility:
More information about FAFSA Eligibility requirements can be found here.

Enroll at Clark State College the fall semester after high school graduation.

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Financial Aid (FAFSA) each academic year. Student must be eligible to submit the FAFSA and receive Federal Financial Aid Package at Clark State College in order to receive scholarship support

Students must be eligible for in-state tuition (if student does not hold citizenship status, student must follow in-state residency guidelines to determine if they qualify for in-state tuition)

Maintain at least 2.0 cumulative GPA in all coursework at Clark State College

Enroll in classes that are relevant and required for your declared degree program


What supports will a Scholar Receive?
All support services will be delivered in English

Mentorship throughout high school and support college

Invitations to special activities, include offsite visits and events at Clark State College

Pending the student meets the outlined FAFSA and In-State Tuition criteria, the student will be eligible for up to three years free tuition including books and fees. Scholarship support will only be applied if the student is eligible per the above. The scholarship will be applied after FAFSA is completed and the Federal Grants or additional scholarships are awarded.

College Scholars Criteria & Scholarship Eligibility:

We have read and understand the college criteria and scholarship eligibility information.

Student First Name

Student Middle Name

Student Last Name

School District

Middle School

Student School Email Address

Student Personal Email Address

Student Phone Number (answer "n/a" if student does not have a phone):

Student Birthdate

Mailing Address

Country

Street

City

Region

Postal Code

Gender

Ethnicity

Shirt Size (please leave room for growth)

Student lives with

Parent/Guardian One First Name

Parent/Guardian One Last Name

Parent/Guardian One Email Address

Parent/Guardian One Phone Number

Parent/Guardian Two First Name

Parent/Guardian Two Last Name

Parent/Guardian Two Email Address

Parent/Guardian Two Phone Number

Program Entry Criteria - Income Eligibility: Household size and annual household income amount meets federal income eligibility guideline for free meals or reduced priced meals as outlined in the USDA Income Eligibility Guidelines.

2025-2026 USDA Income Eligibility Guidelines available here.

2025-2026 USDA Income Eligibility Guidelines
Threshold for Free/Reduced School Lunch

Household Size(# of people living in your home)	Annual Household Income (How much income your household makes in one year)
1	Less than $28,953
2	Less than $39,128
3	Less than $49,303
4	Less than $59,478
5	Less than $69,653
6	Less than $79,828
7	Less than $90,003
8	Less than $100,178
For each additional family member add	$10,175

Please indicate the total household family annual income before taxes:

Total number of members in household

Program Entry Criteria - First Generation: Student must be a first-generation college student with neither parent or legal guardian holding an associate’s degree or higher at the time of application.

Do either of your parents or legal guardians have an associate’s degree or higher?

Program Entry Criteria - GPA: The student must have achieved a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.75 during their seventh-grade year.

Student Cumulative 7th Grade GPA (Grade Point Average):

I acknowledge that my school counselor will be asked to confirm the GPA listed on this application.

Student Statement: Write 4–5 sentences for each question to share why you should be considered for the Clark State Scholars Program and why earning a college scholarship is important to you.
Tip: It can help to type your responses in another document first so you can review and edit before adding them to your Scholars Application.

Tell us about yourself.
Think about: What’s important to you? What do you enjoy? You can share your interests, hobbies, family, community or something that makes you proud.

How would you describe yourself as a student?
Think about: What helps you do your best in school? What kinds of classes or projects make you feel most confident or excited?

When things get hard, what helps you keep going?
Think about: Everyone faces challenges sometimes — in school or in life. What helps you stay motivated, ask for help, or get back on track? What kinds of support make a difference for you?

What careers and futures interest you?
Think about: What kinds of jobs or careers sound exciting to you? What makes you curious about them — something you’ve learned in school, seen in your family, or heard about from others? What kind of life do you hope to build?

What are you most looking forward to about having a mentor — or about being part of the Scholars Program?
Think about: The Scholars Program includes monthly meetings with a Clark State Scholars Mentor. A mentor is someone who supports, listens, and helps you reach your goals.

Special Circumstances: Please note any special circumstances that should be considered when evaluating student eligibility.

School Reference: Should the Scholars team need to contact a school reference, please include the following information for a trusted teacher, counselor, coach, principal, or other school staff member.

School Reference Name:

School Reference Job Title:

School Reference Email:

Student Interview: Eligible student applicants will participate in an in-person interview scheduled at their school. Information will be communicated from their school counselor.

The Clark State Scholars Program requires ongoing family and community support for student success and continued eligibility for the program.

“We agree to the expectations of the Clark State Scholars Program. We agree for photos to be taken at Clark State Scholars events. We permit the release of academic, attendance, student schedule, contact information, and behavioral records to the Clark State Scholars Program Team, Mentors, and Program Volunteers. We give permission for these individuals to communicate via email, phone call, and text.

We agree for photos of the student named on this application to be taken at Clark State Scholars events. We grant permission to Clark State College and its representatives to take and use photographs, digital images and/or video of the above named student applicant for use in press releases, promotional materials and/or educational materials. These materials may include printed or electronic publications and digital platforms including social media and the Clark State website or other electronic communications. We further agree that the above named student applicant’s identity may be revealed in descriptive text or commentary in connection with the image(s) and/or video. We authorize the use of these images and/or video without compensation. All negatives, prints, video and/or digital reproductions shall be the property of Clark State College. To revoke permissions, please contact the director of the scholars program at 937-328-5452"

We have read, agree to and understand the above waiver.

Parent/Guardian Electronic Signature (type name):

Student Signature (type name):