Now Accepting Applications: 2025–2026 Toledo STEM Goes Red Student Scholarship
The Ohio Council of Community Schools (OCCS) is pleased to again support the Toledo STEM Goes Red Scholarship, which offers a key opportunity for young women interested in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
With backing from the American Heart Association, Designetics, and OCCS, the Toledo STEM Goes Red Scholarship bridges students' interest in STEM with the means to pursue related education and careers.
For the 2025–2026 academic year, four scholarships will be awarded to qualifying applicants:
- Two (2) $1,000 scholarships
- One (1) $500 scholarship
- One (1) $250 scholarship
Who Can Apply?
To be considered for the 2025–2026 Toledo STEM Goes Red Scholarship, applicants must:
- Be female
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
- Have a minimum 3.0 GPA
- Be either:
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- A current or previous Toledo STEM Goes Red event participant, OR
- A 6th–12th-grade student currently attending a school within one of the six major counties of the Toledo Metro area:
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- Lucas County
- Wood County
- Fulton County
- Henry County
- Ottawa County
- Sandusky County
- Be applying for funding to support:
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- Future attendance at a college or university with the intent to major in a STEM-related field, or
- Future attendance at a vocational or technical trade institution with a focus on earning a degree or certificate in a STEM-related field
- Note: Past Toledo STEM Goes Red Scholarship recipients are not eligible to reapply.
What Are Reviewers Looking For?
In addition to meeting the basic qualifications, a review committee will select finalists based on:
- Academic achievement
- Interest in and commitment to pursuing a STEM career
- Submit a five-paragraph essay (up to 500 words) that answers two scholarship application questions. Type and save your essay separately as a Word document.
This is your opportunity to share your story, your passion for STEM, and your vision for how you want to make an impact.
How to Apply
Application submissions for the 2025–2026 Toledo STEM Goes Red Scholarship will be accepted from November 1, 2025, to February 28, 2026.
Applicants must submit the following:
- Completed Student Application
- Essay (as a separate document from the application)
Documents may be submitted in either of the following ways:
Scholarship Awards & Distribution
Four students will be selected to receive scholarships and will be notified in April 2026.
Awarded students and their parent/guardian must sign a scholarship agreement with the American Heart Association. After receiving the agreement:
- The Association will authorize Gift of College to send an e-gift card (up to $1,000) to the parent’s email on file.
- The e-gift card can be redeemed through the Gift of College website and deposited into a 529 college savings plan of the recipient’s or parent’s choice.
- If a family does not already have a 529 plan, Gift of College provides information on available options through its website.
Please note:
- Individuals are not eligible to receive direct funds.
- The gift card must be redeemed and deposited into a 529 plan within one (1) year of the date the funds are issued. If it is not redeemed within that timeframe, the funds will be forfeited and returned to the Association.
- This scholarship does not imply any special or preferential status regarding participation in other American Heart Association programs or future employment with the Association.
Questions?
For additional information about the Toledo STEM Goes Red Scholarship or the application process, please contact the American Heart Association at: ahatoledo@heart.org