Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center, in partnership with North Central State College and Pioneer CTC, has been awarded a FAFSA21 Funding Opportunities Grant through the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) as part of the allocation of the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Funds provided to the state from the US Department of Education as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”). The award shall be used to support activities related to completing the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) for Ohio high school students.

The award is available for allowable expenses incurred between April 5, 2021 and August 31, 2021 for activities that support those most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, be in support of the FAFSA completion initiative, and support, but not supplant, existing FAFSA activities. Expenses will be reimbursed by ODHE after requests are submitted via the Comprehensive Continuous Improvement Portal (CCIP).  Expenditure and performance reports will be required. Awardees may request to rollover unused funds past August 31 with permission from the ODHE. All funds must be finally obligated by June 30, 2022 and liquidated by September 30, 2022. Mid-Ohio ESC will serve as the fiscal agent for this grant.

The grant includes the hiring of a part-time College Access Coordinator that will coordinate the FAFSA completion efforts with the College Access Coaches, SPARC/Pioneer Career Coaches, and the high school guidance counselors. Retired NCSC advisor Jim Phinney will be serving as the College Access Coordinator for the grant and will serve as the point person. Along with Phinney, Sherri Tinch-Greter from the Crawford Partnership will be serving as the Co-Coordinator for the grant. In addition to the College Access Coordinators, the following College Access Coaches will be supporting the grant as well: Richard Beans, Scott Campo, David Carter, and Pamela Stimpert.

The following districts have agreed to participate in this grant: Crestview Local, Clear Fork Valley Local, Colonel Crawford Local, Crestline Exempted Village, Galion City, GOAL Digital Academy, Lexington Local, Lucas Local, Northmor Local, Pioneer CTC, Plymouth-Shiloh Local, and Willard City.

“Filling out the FAFSA is the most important step in securing money to pay for college,” said Mid-Ohio ESC Superintendent Kevin D. Kimmel. “Having these grant resources to help students, especially those graduating this year, will be a great benefit to them in helping them continue their education.”

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