• Be an English language learner, defined as students whose native or home language is not English. All local EL students are eligible for a scholarship, regardless of immigration status;
  • Be a current resident of the Greater Cincinnati area (Hamilton County-OH, Clermont County-OH, Warren County-OH, Butler County-OH, Brown County- OH, Clinton County-OH, Kenton County- KY, Campbell County- KY, Boone County- KY, Grant County- KY, Bracken County-KY, Pendleton County- KY, Gallatin County-KY, Dearborn County-IN, Franklin County-IN, Ohio County-IN)
  • Have (1) applied and been accepted an accredited college or university or (2) be an undergraduate student at an accredited college or university, or (3) be enrolled in a two year community college program or in a trade program that when completed may result in a license or permit to practice in the given trade;
  • Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale in high school/ college (or 3.5 on a 5.0 scale), or GED standard average score of 650 or higher; 
  • Have completed 10 hours of community service during 2025 with a local nonprofit organization.

 ELL Foundation 

Scholarship Application NOW OPEN

If you have received an ELL Foundation scholarship in the past, feel free to let us know so we can connect with you! Please consider filling out our Scholarship Alumni Contact Form or email us so that we can stay in touch with you!  ​

  • Berea College
  • Cincinnati Christian University
  • Cincinnati State Technical & Community College
  • Eastern Kentucky University
  • Gateway Community & Technical College
  • Kent State University
  • Miami University
  • Mount St. Joseph University
  • Northern Kentucky University
  • Ohio State University
  • Ohio State University- Lima​

Was established to provide opportunities to English learners who have the desire to continue their higher education at accredited area colleges and universities.  The ELL Foundation provides scholarships worth $750 - $2,000 each to deserving ELL students.  We have awarded over $200,000 in scholarships to students who have attended the following colleges/ universities: 

  • This application completed in full;
  • Community service validation form signed by a staff member from a local nonprofit (this form is included at the end of this application);
  • A high school/ college/ university/ GED transcript;
  • At least one letter of recommendation from a high school teacher, community leader, or college professor/ staff member; 
  • An essay of no more than two pages, double spaced, addressing the following prompt: How will your heritage/ background, academic achievements, and personal qualities (ability to overcome challenges, motivation, leadership, and potential) help you to graduate from college, reach your career goals, and become a responsible leader in the community? 
  • A letter of acceptance to a college/ university (for high school applicants only). 

Scholarship Alumni Contact

selection criteria

Scholarship applications for the 2026-2027 academic year is now open! Please note the scholarship application deadline is: February 15, 2026. Scholarship recipients will be recognized at our Annual ELLF Recognition Breakfast on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

E-mail us if you have additional questions: contactus@ELLFoundationcinci.org​

the English language learning foundation scholarship program

application requirements

  • Financial need and demographic information as demonstrated in the application;
  • Degree of community involvement, as seen in the community service validation form;
  • The quality of the essay;
  • The quality of the recommendation letter;
  • Cumulative grade point average. 
  • Penn State University
  • Sinclair Community College
  • Skidmore College
  • St. Louis University
  • University of Akron
  • University of Cincinnati
  • University of Cincinnati- Blue Ash
  • University of Cincinnati- Clermont
  • University of Dayton
  • Wright State University
  • Xavier University

scholarships

College scholarship applications ARE due by 2/15/2026

To be eligible you must...

English Language Learning Foundation, Inc.