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Ohio vs Virginia: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? Ohio offers a moderate scholarship climate with smaller average awards, suitable for applicants seeking local opportunities. Virginia presents a more robust environment with higher average awards and a greater variety of funding sources, appealing to those looking for substantial financial support.

State vs State

State A

Ohio

State B

Virginia

Quick comparison

MetricOhioVirginia
Active scholarships in catalog96126
Avg. award (where known)$2,208$2,836
Max indexed award$9,000$20,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, scholarship opportunities in Ohio and Virginia present distinct climates for applicants. Ohio offers a total of 83 scholarships with an average award size of approximately $2,249, while Virginia provides 91 scholarships with a higher average award size of about $2,890. The maximum award in Ohio reaches $9,000, whereas Virginia boasts a maximum of $20,000, indicating a broader range of funding potential in Virginia.

Top universities in Ohio include Cuyahoga Community College, which has the highest number of grants at 76, followed by The Community Foundation of Shelby County with 17 grants. In Virginia, the Southeast Virginia Community Foundation leads with 12 grants, followed by the UVA Alumni Association with 8 grants. This analysis highlights the varying scholarship landscapes, helping applicants make informed decisions based on their financial needs and academic goals.

Top Scholarship Providers in Ohio

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Top Scholarship Providers in Virginia

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Scholarship climate by state

Ohio

Ohio's scholarship climate is characterized by moderate funding opportunities and a focus on community-based grants, making it suitable for local applicants.

Virginia

Virginia's scholarship climate is more favorable with higher average awards and a diverse range of funding sources, appealing to applicants seeking significant financial support.

Public reference data

Cost of living & wages

State-level affordability context to complement scholarship climate above - not ScholarshipTop grant totals.

Visual comparison

Ohio

Median household income

$71,048

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,046

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

20.63/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$49,380

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 27.12 per 100k population. Public safety context is based on aggregate state-level public data - not a safety rating.

Public planning context

Community indicators vary by county and are included only as public planning context. Use this alongside scholarship amount, school cost, and living expenses - not as an eligibility rule.

CDC SVI band

middle indicator band

ADI band

higher indicator band

SVI counties

88

ADI counties

88

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 88 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 88 counties; local conditions can vary within the same state.

Virginia

Median household income

$99,592

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,079

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

22.49/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$55,690

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 18.35 per 100k population. Public safety context is based on aggregate state-level public data - not a safety rating.

Public planning context

Community indicators vary by county and are included only as public planning context. Use this alongside scholarship amount, school cost, and living expenses - not as an eligibility rule.

CDC SVI band

middle indicator band

ADI band

middle indicator band

SVI counties

133

ADI counties

133

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 133 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 133 counties; local conditions can vary within the same state.

Sources: Census ACS, HUD FMR, MIT Living Wage, BLS OEWS, and public reference datasets where available. Rent figures may reflect metro or state averages.

Public safety context uses aggregate public data and is included only as planning context.

Reference only - not ScholarshipTop eligibility rules or guarantees.

Data availability varies by school, city, state, and source year.

FAQ

What is the average scholarship amount in Ohio?
The average scholarship amount in Ohio is approximately $2,249.
How many scholarships are available in Virginia?
Virginia offers a total of 91 scholarships.
Which state has the highest maximum scholarship award?
Virginia has the highest maximum scholarship award of $20,000.
What are the top universities offering scholarships in Ohio?
The top universities in Ohio include Cuyahoga Community College and The Community Foundation of Shelby County.

Sources and official pages

Official and high-authority pages used to support this State vs State comparison.

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