The Tuition Mission Foundation (formerly Dollars for Scholars) is calling for applications from college-bound students in the tri-state area.

The application period closes on Monday, April 15.

Students from seven area school districts are invited to apply. These are in eastern Ohio (East Liverpool, Beaver Local and Wellsville districts); northern West Virginia (Oak Glen district); and western Pennsylvania (Western Beaver, Midland and South Side districts).

TMF Vice-President Catherine S. Vodrey recommends that applicants have all 2023 tax information in front of them before starting, as the website does not offer a way to save the application once a student has started. “The application has to be done in one fell swoop,” Vodrey said. “We recommend that students have a parent or guardian with them to help as they fill out the application.” The application takes ten to 15 minutes to fill out and submit.

Students who have been home-schooled or who have done online schooling are welcome to apply as well, as long as they permanently reside in any of the aforementioned school districts. Tuition awards are made for any post-secondary schooling, from college to licensure and certification programs to graduate school.

All tuition awards function as interest-free loans. Last year, the top award was $13,000 per student, with about half of recipients receiving this top amount. Grades, SATs, etc. do not figure into the calculation. Financial need is the only real criterion. Awards are generally announced in mid-June.

The application is available online only and can be filled out and submitted via computer or cellphone, as the website is mobile-responsive. TuitionMission.net is the website address and applicants should click on the “apply for a tuition award” at the top.