Last Dollar Grant

I KNOW I CAN promises financial aid assistance for college to every qualified graduate of the Columbus City School District. Once you garner funds from federal, state and institutional sources, I KNOW I CAN provides up to $1,200 annually to cover the gap that exists between your resources and the cost of your college education.

Please read the guidelines below to see if you qualify. Online versions of the 2008-09 application, eligibility requirements and appeal forms are located below.


Last Dollar Grant Guidelines
Below are the guidelines for I KNOW I CAN, an Ohio non-profit corporation, (hereinafter known as the Corporation) Last Dollar grant program. The Corporation does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, color, national origin, physical handicap, sexual orientation, or age. These guidelines may be amended from time to time by the I KNOW I CAN Board of Trustees. Nothing herein shall be deemed to guarantee that every qualified Columbus City School District student will receive financial aid to finance his or her post-secondary education. Students shall not rely on, or in any way plan on, receiving Last Dollar grants as the primary source for their post-secondary education.

1. Graduates of the Columbus City School District beginning June 1988 are eligible to apply with a minimum cumulative high school GPA of 2.25. Applicants must apply within three years of high school graduation to be eligible to participate in the program. An applicant may participate in the program for a total of five years, based on the initial year of the program. Graduates who enter the military immediately following high school would be eligible to participate in the program if they apply within one year after leaving the military.

2. Students must file the Last Dollar grant application by July 1 each year. Applicants wishing funding for any part of the school year must meet this deadline.

3. Applicants must apply for all financial aid from federal, state and college/school sources by that institution's priority deadline or June 1, whichever comes first.

4. Applicants must have a cumulative post-secondary grade point average of greater than or equal to 2.00 and be eligible to return to the college/school they previously attended.

5. Applicants must have demonstrated unmet need.

6. Applicants must forward to the I KNOW I CAN office the documents necessary to complete the Last Dollar grant application.

7. Students must attend full time an accredited or qualified post-secondary school (as defined by the Department of Pupil Services, the Columbus City School District, and as described in Section 170 (B) (1) (A) (II) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) to be eligible for grants.

8. All grants shall be paid directly to the post-secondary institution.

9. Student recipients of Last Dollar grants must volunteer at least four hours of community service time per year, and must meet once a year with a staff person from the Corporation while in attendance at the post-secondary school, for which they have received grants.

10. All decisions of the Corporation with respect to financial aid grants are final and not subject to additional review or appeal.

11. Receipt or grants for any term or year does not guarantee receipt of grants in any additional year or term.

12. Students who fail to complete a term in which they received grants without prior written approval of the Corporation shall pay back such grants to the Corporation.

If you meet the Last Dollar Grant Eligibility Requirements, Please fill out the Application below and return it to the I KNOW I CAN Program office as soon as possible. The application deadline is July 1st. If you have any additional questions, please contact the I KNOW I CAN Program Office.

Last Dollar Grant: Application


If you do not meet the Last Dollar Grant Eligibility Requirements, and would like to engage in the I KNOW I CAN appeals process, please complete the form below and return it to the I KNOW I CAN Program office within two weeks of downloading. If you have any additional questions, please contact the I KNOW I CAN Program Office.

Last Dollar Grant: Appeal


Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Information (PDF)


I KNOW I CAN
Program Office
3798 E. Broad St.
Columbus, Ohio 43213-1142
P: (614) 233-9510
F: (614) 233-9512



Are you a previous recipient of the Last Dollar grant?
Remember to complete your volunteer hours and submit your Service Hours Form. This form must be received by August 1st.

Service Hours Form 2007 - 2008
Service Hours Form 2008 - 2009

Places to Volunteer:

• I KNOW I CAN (614) 233-9510
  
• Other non-profit organizations, such as:
  
  American Red Cross of Greater Columbus (614) 253-7981
  Mid-Ohio Food Bank (614) 274-7770
  United Way (614) 341-2277
• A local elementary, middle or high school, or the college you are attending
  
• Church