The Greater Cincinnati African American Scholarship Fund (GCAASF), in partnership with GE Aerospace, is now accepting applications for scholarships for high school seniors in the Greater Cincinnati area. The GCAASF was originally established in 2002 by GE’s African American Forum employee resource group, along with several local businesses in the region. The fund is managed by the Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF), a prominent community foundation serving an eight-county region across Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. This initiative aims to provide financial support to students in the Greater Cincinnati area, enabling them to pursue higher education and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

For the 2025-2026 academic year, up to ten scholarships will be awarded, with individual awards ranging from $2,000 to $10,000. These scholarships are open to high school seniors who are expected to graduate in 2025 and meet specific criteria. The scholarships are part of GE Aerospace’s ongoing efforts to enhance educational opportunities for underserved communities, having relaunched the program in 2021 after a hiatus. Since its inception, the scholarship fund has supported over 230 students, funding their education at 83 different universities. In the past three years, the fund has awarded $170,000 in scholarships to 24 local students.

The purpose of these scholarships is to provide financial assistance to students pursuing higher education, either an associate or bachelor’s degree, at a two- to five-year accredited institution. Applicants must be enrolled in a full-time curriculum. The Greater Cincinnati Foundation aims to support students who have demonstrated academic potential and a commitment to contributing to their community, regardless of their economic background.

To apply, students must meet the following eligibility criteria: they must be a 2025 graduate of a high school in the Greater Cincinnati area, have an un-weighted cumulative GPA of 2.8 or above on a 4.0 scale, and be entering their first year of study at an accredited institution. Applications must be submitted online by the deadline of March 02, 2025. The scholarship committee will review all applications confidentially and select recipients based on the information provided.

The grant allows for a wide variety of uses, primarily focused on assisting with tuition and associated academic expenses at accredited institutions. The Greater Cincinnati Foundation and GE Aerospace emphasize the importance of this investment in helping students from underrepresented communities access higher education and pursue their dreams. For any questions about the application process, potential applicants are encouraged to reach out to GCAASF.info@ge.com.