A 2024 Claymont graduate was among the first students awarded the Governor’s Merit Scholarship.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, during his 2025 State of the State Address, said the higher tuition support is awarded to graduating seniors in the top five percent of their class, who attend an Ohio college or university.
“These are $5,000 scholarships that are renewable each year for up to four years. Funding for the Merit Scholarship remains a top priority. Last year, to give you some numbers, a whopping 76% of student eligible accepted it.”
Attending the Joint Session in Columbus was Ellie Baker, who was recognized for being among the first Ohio seniors to receive the scholarship.
“She graduated as Valedictorian from Claymont High School in Tuscarawas County and is currently pursuing her education at Kent State University. Here’s what Ellie had to say about the Merit Scholarship, and I quote, ‘I come from Appalachia, a historically low-income area were paying from college isn’t the easiest thing however, I didn’t want that to hold me back from achieving my aspirations.'”
According to the Governor, before the scholarship, about 60% of the top five percent of Ohio students stayed in the state for higher education. This year, because of the Merit Scholarship, an additional 1,700 top students are remaining in Ohio.
DeWine also noted that career tech options are expanding, allowing students to explore career paths and gain work experience.
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