Students who live in Clark County or attended its high schools can explore two different routes to pay for college in Springfield: donor scholarships from The Springfield Foundation and awards from the Clark State College Foundation. One may serve seniors, current college students, or adults returning to school; the other requires Clark State enrollment and uses a general application to find matches. The Springfield Foundation profile outlines the 2027–28 cycle; the Clark State profile explains the open window for spring 2027.
The Springfield Foundation administers more than 150 donor-created opportunities and does not publish one award amount for all. Its 2027–28 application opens December 1, 2026 and closes February 5, 2027. General senior criteria include living in Clark County or attending a county high school and planning full-time study—12 or more hours per semester—at an accredited institution. Current college students generally need to have graduated from a county high school or be permanent Clark County residents and continue full time.
A separate nontraditional application is for adults age 25 or older who have never attended college, hold a diploma or GED, and meet the Clark County connection. Some donor awards allow students from outside the area, and donors determine fields of study, financial need, and other terms. The first step is therefore not to assume a catalog award applies, but to read its specific criteria and select the application that matches the student’s status.
Clark State Foundation Scholarships are available to full-time and part-time students. The college says awards are based on financial need, academic merit, or program and do not have to be repaid; it distributes more than $500,000 annually, without promising an amount to each student. One general AwardSpring application matches students to scholarships for which they qualify. The spring-semester window runs October 1 through November 15, 2026, so complete it before closing even if you are also preparing the community application in December.
Foundation deadlines do not replace FAFSA, college admission, or the campus financial-aid process. Confirm whether each scholarship can be combined, must be reported as a resource, and is paid to the student or college. Clark State also links Career Center Scholarships, Choose Ohio First, and Ohio Work Ready; those are separate opportunities with their own rules. For Clark State awards, contact Kerry Pedraza at 937-328-5494 or pedrazak@clarkstate.edu; Springfield Foundation lists 937-324-8773 and teresa@springfieldfoundation.org.
Apply for a Scholarship — The Springfield Foundation.
Foundation Scholarships — Clark State College.
Clark State College Foundation — Clark State College.
Guide checked against official sources on October 12, 2026. Criteria, funding, and dates may change by cohort; confirm the application cycle and eligibility directly with each program before submitting documents.
Clark State’s spring window closes November 15; the Springfield Foundation application opens December 1.
Options to compare
These options relate to the question. Read each profile and check current details before deciding.
The Springfield Foundation — Community Scholarships
333 North Limestone St., Suite 201, Springfield, OH 45503
The foundation administers more than 150 opportunities. In general, seniors must live in Clark County or attend a county high school and plan full-time enrollment; college students must have graduated from a Clark County high school or be permanent county residents and continue full time. Requirements and award amounts depend on each donor fund. A separate nontraditional route serves adults age 25 or older who have never attended college.
Community scholarship foundation for high-school seniors, college students, and adult learners in Clark County, Ohio
Clark State College Foundation Scholarships
570 E. Leffel Lane, Springfield, OH 45505
Annual scholarships are available to full-time and part-time Clark State students; awards are based on financial need, academic performance, or program of study and do not have to be repaid. The college says it distributes more than $500,000 annually to new and returning students. One general application automatically matches students to funds for which they qualify.
Institutional need-, merit-, or program-based scholarships for full-time and part-time Clark State College students
Sources & references
Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
The Springfield Foundation · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Clark State College · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Clark State College · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official application and program information ↗
Primary source
The Springfield Foundation · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of The Springfield Foundation — Community Scholarships ↗
Primary source
The Springfield Foundation · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official application and program information ↗
Primary source
Clark State College · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Clark State College Foundation Scholarships ↗
Primary source
Clark State College · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.