I Know I Can Grant

$2,500 Per Year

Available to eligible Columbus City Schools high school seniors and graduates.

The I Know I Can Grant amount has increased to $2,500. Apply today!

Deadline to apply: May 15th

 

Minimum Criteria

  • High school students: minimum 2.25 GPA
  • Current college students: minimum 2.0 GPA
  • Full-time students
  • Federal Pell Grant Eligible

Supporting Documents Needed

  • PDF of your 2024-25 FAFSA Submission Summary
  • PDF of your unofficial High School Transcript (Only for first time applicants)
  • PDF of your unofficial College Transcript (Only for renewal applicants)

what you should know

  • Students may renew the grant for up to four years (two years at a two-year institution).
  • Students must re-apply for the grant each year
  • Students must submit their first application during your senior year of high school or the year after high school graduation.
  • Students are eligible to receive only ONE of IKIC’s funding opportunities (IKIC Grant, Founders’ Scholarship) and/or Columbus Promise scholarship

faq

  • I am eligible for the I Know I Can Grant. What next?
    • Once you have been deemed eligible for the I Know I Can Grant and received an approval email, you should read the attached approval letter carefully and be sure to submit the following items:
      • Financial aid award letter from your college
      • Your fall class schedule for the upcoming year
      • Your college student ID#
      • Your current e-mail address
    • NOTE: You must submit these final documents in order to receive the I Know I Can Grant funds. I Know I Can will not be able to send the I Know I Can Grant to your college without these documents.
  • What is a financial aid award letter?
    • A financial aid award letter shows the grants, scholarships, and loans that your college has awarded you. You may have received a paper copy or it may have been sent electronically, either by e-mail or on your college’s student access website.
    • If you have trouble finding it, please contact the financial aid office at your college.
    • NOTE: The financial aid award letter is different from the FAFSA Student Aid Report.
  • How much is the I Know I Can Grant worth?
    • The I Know I Can Grant is worth $2,500.
  • How is the I Know I Can Grant dispersed?
    • The I Know I Can Grant is sent in two payments. You will receive $1,250 in the fall semester and $1,250 in the spring semester, provided you are enrolled full-time.
  • How will I know when the I Know I Can Grant has been received by my college?
    • You will see a $1,250 credit on your account when the I Know I Can Grant has been received and processed by your college. Depending on how your college processes payments, it may not be specifically listed as I Know I Can Grant.
  • Why isn’t the I Know I Can Grant on my financial aid award letter?
    • Your college may not list the I Know I Can Grant on the financial aid award letter unless you have informed your college that you are receiving an outside grant. You can provide a copy of your I Know I Can grant approval letter to your college if necessary.
    • You will still be able to receive the I Know I Can Grant even if it is not listed on your financial aid award letter.
  • Will the I Know I Can Grant be renewed every year?
    • Students must submit a new application for the I Know I Can Grant each year.
    • Students may renew the grant for up to five years at a four-year institution, two years at a two-year institution, or until receipt of first bachelor’s degree, whichever comes first.
    • To renew the grant, students must be Pell eligible, maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA, and submit a completed application by the grant deadline.
  • Will I receive the grant if I drop below full-time status for a term in college?
    • You must remain enrolled full-time to receive the IKIC Grant. If you are not enrolled full-time, then your college will return the IKIC Grant funds to IKIC.
  • What if I plan to attend an out-of-state college?
    • The I Know I Can Grant can be used at any accredited university, college, technical school, or post-secondary program in the United States.
  • What if I transfer to a different college after my freshman year?
    • The I Know I Can grant can be transferred to your new college, provided it is an accredited institution in the U.S. You must notify IKIC as soon as you decide to transfer and submit a financial aid award letter from your new college.
  • Is there an appeals process?

    Students who do not meet established I Know I Can funding criteria have the opportunity to appeal on the basis of relevant, significant, and documentable extenuating circumstances for which they could not plan, influence, or prevent. The appeal committee will review your completed appeal and notify you of the results via email.  Please note the IKIC Appeal committee will NOT make appeal decisions before August 1st.  Incomplete appeal applications will not be considered.

    Please follow this link to file an appeal: IKIC Funding Appeal Form (jotform.com)

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