September 25, 2008: The Northwest Ohio Scholarship Fund, Inc. (NWOSF) has awarded $741,800 in need-based scholarships to 803 students in northwest Ohio for the 2008-2009 school year in order that they can attend Kindergarten through eighth grade private schools. 

These 803 students are attending one of 53 private schools located in Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan, including Toledo Islamic Academy, Maumee Valley Country Day, Gesu Catholic School, and others.  The average scholarship per child is $924. 

NWOSF has awarded $7 million in need-based scholarships in the last ten years to over 9,000 students in NW Ohio so that they could attend a private school.  Eligible families are required to demonstrate their financial need as measured by standards similar to the Federal School Lunch program.   

The Northwest Ohio Scholarship Fund believes that all children, regardless of their economic circumstances, deserve access to quality educational opportunities.  The Northwest Ohio Scholarship Fund is one of 38 programs throughout the country affiliated with the national Children’s Scholarship Fund, founded in 1998 by Ted Forstmann and John Walton in New York City .

“I am very aware that many of our families attending Toledo Christian are here because of the NWOSF.  What a blessing it is to have this available for families who perhaps otherwise could not be able to attend here,” Jim Ellinger, Superintendent of Toledo Christian School says of the Northwest Ohio Scholarship Fund.

Interested families can find information on the program and the application form on the NWOSF website at www.nosf.org. For more information contact Ann Riddle, Coordinator of the Northwest Ohio Scholarship Fund at (419) 244-6711 x 219.