Shawnee State University, in Portsmouth, Ohio, has an extensive financial aid program to help students meet some of the expenses of a college education. We are pleased and proud to be able to offer, through the generosity of others, a number of scholarships based on academic ability and individual achievement as well as financial need. Most of these scholarship funds are administered through the Shawnee State University Development Foundation.
Apply to Shawnee State University and send us your transcripts and ACT or SAT scores for consideration for one of our scholarship awards.
Apply by our priority deadline, January 15, for full consideration for all awards. Applications received from January 16 through May 1 will be considered while funds last.
Merit-Based Scholarships
Alumni Legacy Scholarship
Applicant must be a child or grandchild of a Shawnee State University Alumnus.
Dr. Sol Asch Scholarship
High school graduate or college student with 3.5 GPA.
Orumund S. Bennett Scholarship
Applicant must be a graduate of Minford High School and remain in good academic standing.
David G. Besco Memorial Scholarship
College sophomore, junior, or senior. Resident of Ohio with 3.5 GPA overall and 3.0 in major and professional education courses. Required Program: Teacher education with a concentration in mathematics
Galen S. Besco Memorial Scholarship
College sophomore, junior, or senior. Resident of Ohio with 3.5 GPA overall and 3.0 in major and professional education courses. Required Program: Teacher education with a concentration in English
Dr. J.R. Boynton Memorial Scholarship
College junior or senior who is a resident of Scioto County and has a 3.25 GPA. Required Program: Enrollment in a four-year degree program
Centrus Energy Corp. American Centrifuge Plant Educational Partnership Scholarship
Four awards of $1,000 per year; it is preferred but not required that applicants be either a current Centrus employee or immediate family member of a current Centrus employee. Must be a full-time student.
Coll and Byrne Scholarship
Applicants must be United States SSU students traveling abroad, must be sophomore or junior, students with demonstrated record of achievement or excellence in foreign language; demonstrate academic excellence based upon course record or transcript; be accepted at SSU. Application made thru CIPA Office.
Marion Lincoln Counts Scholarship
Applicant must be a an employee or relative of an employee at Hill View Retirement Center with a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA.
Betty C. Edwards Nursing Scholarship
Scioto or Adams County resident. Full-time student of sophomore standing having attained a 3.0 GPA or better and of good character. Required Program: Associate degree nursing or bachelor degree in nursing
Elbert L. and Evelyn M. Elliott Memorial Scholarship
Resident of Adams or Scioto Counties majoring in elementary or secondary education.
Sean Elliot Scholarship
Created by family and friends to honor SSU basketball player, Sean Elliott.
W. E. “Peg” Ellsesser Memorial Scholarship
Created by his daughter, Sidney Burr, to honor Mr. Ellsesser. The scholarship commemorates his love of Portsmouth and assists students majoring in Athletic Training or Sports Management.
Ferguson-Hamilton-Knox Math Scholarship
Applicant must not be a first term freshman or last term senior, must have a demonstrated record of making significant contributions to the Department of Mathematical Sciences or demonstrated strong academic record.
Friends of Shawnee State University Scholarship
High school senior or college student with a 2.5 GPA.
Glockner Community Service Scholarship
Graduating senior of West, Northwest, Valley, Minford, South Webster, Wheelersburg, Green, Clay, New Boston, East, Notre Dame, Portsmouth, Greenup County, or Lewis County, with a GPA of 2.0 and demonstrated involvement in community service.
Frank D. Hyland and Helen Hyland Memorial Scholarship
Former student athlete, in good academic standing, who has exhausted athletic scholarship. Must be entering fifth year and be within two semesters of graduation.
Nathan Jenkins Scholar-Athlete Award Scholarship
Senior at East High School (Sciotoville) who has received two letters in high school sports and has a 3.0 GPA.
Edward & Ruth Kirkendall Athletic Scholarship
Applicants must be a varsity athlete; display a high level of academic and athletic achievement; be actively involved in the NAIA Champions of Character initiatives; demonstrate a commitment to the SSU Athletic Department. Must be a full time student.
Created through the Estate of Mrs. Ruth Kirkendall. Ruth and her husband, Edward, were members of the Golden Bears and dedicated fans of SSU’s Athletics.
Lorentz Family Scholarship
An applicant must be an international student on an F-1 or J-1 visa to attend Shawnee State University; or secondarily an SSU student who will Study Abroad. Recipient of the award must: 1. Remain in good academic standing. 2. Receive the award in increments of ½ to cover two academic semesters. 3. Be active as a “Student Ambassador” through involvement, under the auspices of CIPA, in promoting Study Abroad for SSU students. 4. Acknowledge in writing at the end of the academic year their contributions to campus internationalization (i.e. involvement in the International Club, the International Food Festival, the International Film Festival, Study Abroad recruitment, and the like).
Arthur and Helen Lynn Family Scholarship
Junior or senior in the SSU Honors Program with a 3.2 GPA who is pursuing an undergraduate degree that leads to graduate school in an MBA program or a graduate degree in economics, political science, law, history, finance, public policy, or a degree in law or medicine. Preference given to a graduate of Portsmouth High School or a student qualified to study law or medicine.
Madden Family Scholarship
Applicant must be a student enrolled in a school district in Scioto County or in Notre Dame Schools with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA and pursuing a baccalaureate degree.
Madden Family Scholarship
Applicant must be a student enrolled in a school district in Scioto County or in Notre Dame Schools with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA and pursuing a baccalaureate degree.
Jerry M. Mann and Sue Johnson Mann Nursing Scholarship
Created in 2022 by Jerry and Sue Mann, the scholarship awards students majoring in Nursing - ADN, BSN, or other related Nursing program.
McElhaney Honors Scholarship
High school senior enrolling the fall term after graduation with a 3.0 GPA and ACT score of 25 or higher. Must be degree-seeking and complete a minimum of 15 hours each semester. Non-renewable.
Vivian McGinnis Scholarship for Nursing
College student with at least sophomore standing with GPA of 3.0 or better. Required Program: Nursing
Joseph W. McKinley Scholarship
Graduate of Valley or Northwest High School preferred. Required Program: Teacher education
Octavia N. McKinley Scholarship
Graduate of Valley or Northwest High School planning to attend SSU on a full-time basis. Required Program: Nursing, occupational therapy, or physical therapist assistant with preference given to nursing
James B. Miller Scholarship
College sophomores, juniors, or seniors who reside in southern Ohio or northern Kentucky, seeking either an associate or baccalaureate degree. Required Program: Business
Raymond & Mabel Montavon Occupational Therapy Assistant Scholarship
Created by Mendy Sissel, Occupational Therapy program instructor, to honor her parent’s commitment to education.
Victor W. Morgan Jr. Scholarship
High school graduate or GED recipient in good academic standing. Must be of good character, and reside in Scioto County, Ohio or Lewis or Greenup County, Kentucky. Required Program: Associate or baccalaureate in health sciences
Nellie Niswonger Scholarship
High school senior or college student with 3.5 GPA.
Roger and Mary Nel Padron Scholarship
Senior in Scioto, Ross, or Pike County high school planning to attend Shawnee State University full-time and exhibiting high academic achievement. Non-smokers given preference.
Dr. Hagop S. Pambookian Scholarship
Either a psychology major or an international student who has specifically come to the U.S. in order to study (majoring in any field), entering senior year with a 3.0 GPA.
John & Mirka Ray Environmental and Geological Sciences Scholarship
Applicant must be majoring in BS Natural Sciences with Geology Concentration, must have completed 12 credit hours of required Geology courses at SSU, grade of "B" or better in all Geology courses, overall GPA 3.0 or higher.
Thomas B. Reynolds Memorial Scholarship
College senior, accounting major. Highest GPA given preference. Community involvement considered.
Richards Health Scholarship
Created by William J. and Patricia J. Richards, former member of SSU’s Board of Trustees and Development Foundation, to award students in Allied Health areas.
Rotary Club of Portsmouth International Student Scholarship
International student. Where to apply: Center for International Programs and Activities, Shawnee State University.
Frank Taylor Scholarship
Applicant must have graduated from H.S. the year the award is given; have ACT score of 20 or above; be of good character, be a full-time student and remain in good academic standing.
Trustees’ Award
Award is for outstanding research that is investigative, project-based, inquiry-based, open-minded and/or exploratory; and that posits a broad category of analysis relevant to scholarly conversations in one or more disciplines; recipient must be currently enrolled student and participate as oral presenters for the Celebration of Scholarship; award finalist and recipients are nominated by faculty mentors; must present during a special Trustees' Award session during Celebration of Scholarship.
Dr. John Walker Allied Health Scholarship
Created by Dr. John Walker and Mrs. Linda Walker to honor teachers they deeply respected and awards graduates of Portsmouth West High school pursuing a health sciences or natural sciences degree.
Dr. George & Sandy White Veterans Scholarship
Established by Dr. George and Sandy White in 2017 to support full-time SSU freshman students who are veteran, or the immediate family or decedent of Vietnam War-era veterans.
Wayne F. White Memorial Scholarship
The Wayne F. White Memorial Scholarship was established to honor Wayne White's long-time involvement in and commitment to education. As the first director of the Ohio Appalachian Center for Higher Education, Mr. White dedicated his life to helping to raise the college going rate in Appalachian Ohio.
Applicant must be a graduating senior from Dawson Bryan or Symmes Valley High School, both in Lawrence County, Ohio. (Applicant shall no longer be required to submit an essay as part of their application.) Applications will be made on the standard Shawnee State University application form. Recipient will be chosen by the Shawnee State University Office of Financial Aid. Recipient of the award must be enrolled full time in Shawnee State University. Preference shall be given to first generation students and students who demonstrate a record of college preparedness in their high school studies.
Need-Based Scholarships
Submit your FAFSA with Expected Family Contribution (EFC) number on or before Dec. 1 for full consideration of need-based scholarships.
Adams Community Church Scholarship
Created by the former Adams Community Church, the scholarship fund to support a graduate of Wheelersburg, Minford, Portsmouth East, or South Webster High Schools and pursuing a Health Sciences degree with financial need.
Allied Health Scholarship
Students must be enrolled fulltime in an Allied Health Sciences Program, be entering the 2nd year in the program, have demonstrated need, have a GPA of > 3.0, and remain in good academic standing.
Appleton Family Scholarship
Sophomore, junior, or senior pursuing an associate or baccalaureate degree with GPA of at least 2.5, preference given to GPA of 3.0 or better. Must submit two letters of recommendation from SSU faculty.
Dr. James Barbar Honors Poetry Scholarship
Students must be a (1) Junior or Senior pursuing a BA in English and Humanities; with (2) an established record of achievement in the field of writing and/or poetry as evidenced by professorial endorsement, published works, or campus presentations; (3) have a 2.5 GPA average in the last year of academic study; and (4) have financial need.
Barnes and Noble College Booksellers Textbook Scholarship
Applicants must be full-time students; be in good academic standing; students must reapply each semester, awards are not renewable.
Bear Completion Grant
Created to help students who are close to completing a degree overcome financial hurdles that may be keeping them from reaching their goals.
James and Mabel Blair Scholarship
Student entering their sophomore, junior, or senior year residing in Pike County, Ohio, with a GPA of 2.0 or better. Preference given to a middle income student.
Frank Byrne Scholarship
SSU sophomore, junior, or senior who has excelled in foreign languages and linguistics (3.0 GPA in these courses). Must also have a 3.0 GPA overall. Preference given to Scioto and surrounding counties in Ohio and Kentucky.
Stan Callihan Memorial Scholarship
Middle income, full-time student in good academic standing. Preference given to Kentucky residents. Required Program: Education with a history or social science concentration
Judith A. Canter Scholarship
Scioto County business or education major with a 2.0 GPA and an expected federal family contribution of 1,500 to 4,000.
Covert Family Scholarship
College student entering their sophomore, junior, or senior year from Scioto County, Ohio, or Greenup or Lewis County, Kentucky, with a GPA of 3.0. Must exhibit financial need. Required Program: Fine, digital, or performing arts
Ira and Flora Diddle Memorial Scholarship for the Professions
Resident of Scioto or Pike County with a 3.25 high school or 2.9 college GPA. Required Program: Natural or physical science, pre-medicine, or education
Larry and Penny Gates Scholarship
Shawnee State University junior or senior seeking a degree in a "helping profession." Must have a 3.0 GPA, be of good character, and exhibit financial need. First time recipients. Required Program: BS or BA, including but not limited to psychology or sociology
Glenwood Scholarship
Glenwood High School graduate (having attended a minimum of three years while residing in New Boston, Ohio). Awards based on financial need.
Michael Hairston Memorial Scholarship
- Be a Portsmouth High School graduating senior; or a prior recipient of the Scholarship still enrolled as a full-time student at SSU that is reapplying for an annual renewal.
- Be seeking a Bachelor of Arts Degree as a full-time student at Shawnee State University.
- Have a GPA of 3.0
- Have demonstrated financial need.
Neal and Vicky Hatcher Scholarship
Applicant must have graduated from a high school or have a permanent address within a fifty (50) mile radius of Shawnee State University with a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA (high school GPA acceptable to qualify incoming freshmen) and must exhibit financial need. Recipient must be a full time student at Shawnee State University living as an on-campus housing resident, remain in good academic standing, and receive one half of annual award each semester. Application will be made on the Shawnee State University SSUDF/Financial Aid Scholarship form and a Neal and Vicky Hatcher Scholarship supplement form.
Neal & Vicky Hatcher Emergency Housing Scholarship
Created by Neal and Vicky Hatcher to support SSU and its full-time residential housing students.
Honor Program Scholarship
Must be a full-time (12 hour or more) student in a four-year degree program. Must have completed 30 credit hours at SSU with a minimum GPA of 3.5. Be in good standing in the Honors Program. Have demonstrated financial need, as established by the University's Financial Aid Office. Must not be a member of the immediate famliy of a full-time member of SSU's faculty, administration or staff. May not be a previous recipient of this scholarship.
Arthur W. and Anne Carson Hossman Scholarship
Graduate of Scioto County high school entering sophomore, junior, or senior year with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and exhibiting financial need.
Howland Family Scholarship
Applicant must be a full-time student at SSU that has been accepted into one of the Allied Health programs, seeking either an associate or baccalaureate degree. Applicant must be entering the first year of that program. Must reside in Scioto County and exhibit financial need. Award recipient must remain in good academic standing and receive the award in increments of 1/2 to cover two academic semesters.
Charles M. & Nettie M. Howland Scholarship
Applicant must major legal assisting, demonstrated financial need and remain in good academic standing.
Robert and Jean Kramer Business Scholarship
HIgh school senior or SSU student who demonstrates financial need and has a 2.5 GPA. Required Program: Business major
Mary Elliott Jenkins Scholarship
High school senior or college student with fewer than 30 credit hours; a 2.8 GPA; residing in Scioto County, Ohio or Greenup or Lewis County, Kentucky; having financial need. Preference given to students from single-parent families. Required Program: Teacher education
Phillip and Mary Elliott Jenkins Scholarship
High school senior or college student with fewer than 30 credit hours; a 2.8 GPA; residing in Scioto County, Ohio or Greenup or Lewis County, Kentucky; having financial need. Preference given to students from single-parent families.
Emile Leroy Jividen Memorial Scholarship
Incoming freshman engineering major with a 2.8 GPA and exhibiting financial need.
John G. & Thelma O. Lebrun Scholarship
Created by John G. LeBrun, retired chemist of Cyclops Corporation, for students with financial need.
Lute Family Scholarship
Student entering sophomore year, with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Need-based award with preference to middle income. Required Program: Business major with general business, accounting, management information systems, or business administration concentration
Edward O. and Edward R. (Rex) McCowen Endowed Scholarship
Graduate of a Scioto County rural high school who demonstrates financial need. Preference given to American history or government majors.
The McGinnis Portsmouth West Scholarship
Applicant must be a full time student; a graduate of Portsmouth West HS; a freshman enrolled as a Mathematics major in pursuit of an Associates or Bachelor's Degree; if no such freshman enroll in math from West the award can be given to a freshman enrolled as a Natural Sciences major; previous award winners can be awarded in subsequent years; financial need preferred but if no student otherwise meeting the criteria have financial need then need is not necessary; must be and remain in good academic standing.
Frederick McKinley Teacher Education Scholarship
Applicant preference is to a resident of Lucasville, OH. If none are eligible, secondary preference is that the applicant is a Scioto county resident with a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA and exhibits financial need. Must be a full-time student at SSU and remain in good academic standing. Required Program: Adolescent/Young Adult Integrated Mathematics.
Harold Micklethwaite Scholarship
High school graduate or GED recipient with a 2.5 GPA. This scholarship is intended to encourage all students to attend college, so a higher GPA is not necessary. Required Program: Business
Dr. Spencer and Helen I. Miller Scholarship
Radiologic technology student residing in Scioto, Lawrence, Pike, Brown, Ross, Adams, Highland, or Jackson counties in Ohio or Greenup or Lewis counties in Kentucky, with a GPA of 3.0 or better. Required Program: Radiologic technology
Whitney D. Miller Scholarship
Upper class students with a preference to employees, children, or grandchildren of Mitchellace. Must exhibit financial need and have a 3.0 GPA or higher.
Dr. Rita Morris Completion Scholarship
Created by SSU’s Board of Trustees in honor of former University President Rita Morris. The scholarship awards senior students who have exhausted all funding sources to help them complete graduation.
Gurney Margaret Noel Memorial Scholarship
Amount to be awarded is a minimum of $1,000 annually. Must be a Scioto County resident and exhibit financial need.
Vern Riffe Scholarship
Freshmen who graduated from Scioto or Pike County high schools. Four awards based on academic standing (min. 3.0 GPA); four based on demonstrated financial need. Scholarship rotates among school districts.
Roy Rogers Scholarship
Graduate of Scioto County high school and member of a 4-H club, who exhibits financial need. Proof of membership must accompany application.
Ron LeMaster Insurance Inc. Scholarship
Freshman entering SSU in pursuit of bachelor's degree, resident of Greenup or Lewis County in Kentucky or Scioto County in Ohio, and 2.5 GPA. Preference is given to a student residing in Kentucky.
Mary Elizabeth Schwartz Scholarship
Student with a minimum 3.0 GPA who demonstrates financial need. Required Program: English major
Vernon and Virginia Schwepe Scholarship
Created by bequest of Virginia Schwepe, in memory of her husband, to help students in need. Awarded to a full-time student.
Sherman Family Scholarship
Full-time student who is a Scioto County resident and has a 2.8 GPA or higher. Preference given to student pursuing a career in insurance. Required Program: Business
Gina Smalley Scholarship
Student accepted into the dental hygiene program and a resident of Adams or Highland counties with preference to a graduate of Peebles High School. Exhibit financial need.
Stanley Electric U.S. Company Engineering Technologies Scholarship
Established in 2018 by Stanley Electric US Company to provide financial aid to students pursuing a degree in Engineering Technologies.
Must be pursuing a degree in Plastics Engineering Technologies, Computer Engineering Technologies, CADD, Electromechanical Engineering Technologies, or Technical Study. Must demonstrate financial need with at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA, be full time student at SSU, remain in good academic standing and accept award in 1/2 increments. Must have completed two full semesters at SSU.
Walter and Ann Strehle Scholarship
Graduate of Green High School and 3.0 GPA. Preference given to a student majoring in social science. Recipients must reapply annually in order to be considered to receive the award in consecutive years.
Lillian Wiltshire Thomas Scholarship
Graduate of Portsmouth West High School year of award, having been a student of Washington Local School District for four years and seeking an associate or baccalaureate degree. Must have a 3.0 GPA; be active in church, school, and community; and exhibit financial need. First-time recipients only.
Courtney Erin Todt Memorial Scholarship
Full-time SSU student entering sophomore year of a baccalaureate program, 3.0 GPA, involved in community activities, and has as a goal having a positive impact on children. Must indicate this goal on the scholarship application form.
Veri Family Scholarship
Degree-seeking student with at least 30 credit hours or sophomore standing with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Ginnie Wagner Mercy Hospital School of Nursing Alumnae Scholarship
Must be a graduate of PHS, a student in their 2nd year of the SSU Associate degree Nursing Program, demonstrated financial need (by FAFSA), and have at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA
John Walker Allied Health Science Scholarship
Graduate of Portsmouth West High School with a 3.0 GPA. Must be accepted in an allied health program. Required Program: Health sciences
Linda Bradshaw Walker Education Scholarship
Graduate of Portsmouth West High School with a 3.0 GPA. Must be accepted in the education program. Required Program: Education
Dr. Robert L. Wilson Writing Scholarship for Poets
SSU senior with an overall GPA of 3.0 and 3.5 in major. Must show clear evidence of poetry writing and submit an essay as to why applicant is a deserving recipient. Financial need is considered.
Graydon Woods and Loretta C. Woods Scholarship
Applicant must be a full time, degree seeking student with demonstrated financial need. Award shall be $1,000 per year. Recipient must be a full-time student.
Scholarships Awarded by Outside Agencies
The scholarships listed in this section are awarded by clubs, organizations, and businesses and are for use only at Shawnee State University. Each has its own set of criteria and the amount of the award may differ. In addition, each requires its own application form, which is available from the agency or individual listed or the Shawnee State Financial Aid Office. Completed applications should be mailed to the address noted in ''Where to Apply.''
Gordon Freeman Memorial Scholarship
Member of I.B.E.W. Local 575 and immediate family.
Where to apply: I.B.E.W. Local 575, P.O. Box 1544, 110 Offnere Street, Portsmouth Ohio 45662
Kiwanis Club Scholarship (Portsmouth)
Student residing and attending high school in Scioto County and in top 1/3 of graduating class.
Where to Apply: Dave Fowler, P.O. Box 1151, Portsmouth, OH 45662 or your high school guidance counselor Deadline: April 15
Portsmouth Rotary Scholarship
Scioto County residents who have completed or will be completing their second year of college. Required Program: Four-year college course leading to a bachelor's degree
Where to Apply: The Scioto Foundation, PO Box 911, 303 Chillicothe St., Portsmouth, OH 45662
Abe and Bette Zuber Scholarship
High school senior. Resident of Scioto, Adams, Pike, Lawrence, or Jackson County, Ohio or Greenup or Lewis County, Kentucky. Required Program: Business
Where to Apply: Portsmouth Area Chamber of Commerce, 342 Second Street, Portsmouth, OH 45662 Deadline: April 30
Other Scholarships
Kay Beegan PTA Scholarship and Financial Assistance Fund
To award PTA students with financial support or assistance to provide opportunities of academic and/or professional nature that would contribute to the success of the recipient within the field of Physical Therapy.
This Scholarship Fund has been generously endowed by Kay Beegan and her sons, with the intent of providing PTA students with specific opportunities with clinical education, technical education, and professional development. Eligibilty: Applicant must be (1) enrolled in the PTA program at SSU (2) must be in good academic standing within PTA program. (3) must complete the application process and submit by established deadlines. Applications will be considered only during semester terms. Each student MUST complete the application form and submit to the Scholarship committee through the PTA Department. Financial gifts will be awarded based on quality of the application, and the perceived overall value to the opportunity and its impact on meeting the purpose of the fund. Each application will be considered on an individual basis in an appropriate timely manner.
George and Carolyn Pettit International Fund
Contact Center for International Programs, (740) 351-3127, for additional information.
Wendy's High School Heisman Scholarship:
Applicant must be an incoming freshman, bachelor's degree seeking student, and must be a finalist for or winner of the Wendy's High School Heisman in Scioto, Adams, Lawrence or Jackson County, Ohio. Applicant must be a student with demonstrated record of achievement or excellence in athletics and community service and have a demonstrated record of academic excellence based upon course record or transcript. Recipient must be a full time student or incoming full-time student at Shawnee State University, remain in good academic standing and receive one half of annual award each semester.