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i know i can grant

$1,200 Grant

Available to eligible Columbus City Schools Graduates

The application deadline has passed for the 2020-2021 academic year. 

If you have been approved for the I Know I Can grant, please make sure to submit your requested supplemental documents.  You can email your documents to LDG@iknowican.org or submit below:

I Know I Can Grant Financial Aid Offer Letter Submission

Requirements

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

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.

Remember to complete and submit the FAFSA prior to the scholarship deadline!

Application Checklist:

  • Completed application form
  • 2020-21 FAFSA Student Aid Report
  • Current college students: Unofficial college transcript

faq

  • What are the requirements for the I Know I Can Grant?
    • 2.25 cumulative GPA (HS seniors) / 2.0 cumulative GPA (college students)
    • Have graduated from or plan to graduate from a CCS high school
    • Submitted the FAFSA prior to the I Know I Can Grant application deadline
    • Eligible for the federal Pell Grant according to the FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR)
    • Enrolled or planning to enroll in college full-time
  • My cumulative GPA does not meet the minimum. Am I still eligible?
    • No. High school students must graduate with at least a 2.25 cumulative GPA and college students must have at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA by the end of spring semester the year they apply.
  • My grant application was denied but I meet the criteria. What should I do?
    • If information that was submitted on or prior to the deadline has changed, declined students can request an additional review of their I Know I Can grant application decision. Students who wish to do this should submit an Additional Review Request Form (found here) along with the additional documentation showing proof that they meet the grant requirements (i.e., transcript showing most recent grades meeting the GPA minimum).
    • Students who were denied due to submitting a late and/or incomplete application are not eligible for a review request.
  • Is there an appeal process?
    • Students who do not meet the I Know I Can grant requirement but have special circumstances that warrant further review can complete an appeal. Students who wish to appeal their application decision should submit an appeal form (found here).
    • Completed appeals for the 2020-2021 academic year are due by July 1, 2020. The appeal will be reviewed by the I Know I Can Grant Appeals Committee and students will be notified of the decision via mail.
  • I did not go to Columbus City Schools all four years of high school. Am I still eligible?
    • Yes. As long as you graduate from a CCS high school or have graduated from a CCS high school within one year of your first I Know I Can Grant application, you are eligible for the I Know I Can Grant.
  • I am a college student. Am I eligible to apply for the I Know I Can Grant?
    • If you are currently in college and graduated from a CCS high school within the last year, you are eligible to apply.
  • When do I apply for the I Know I Can Grant?
    • Students must submit their first application for the I Know I Can Grant during senior year of high school or the year immediately following high school graduation. Applications will be available on www.iknowican.org, with an IKIC College Advising Manager, or at the IKIC Office.
    • NOTE: The I Know I Can Grant application deadline is typically around the end of April. Late applications and incomplete applications will not be considered.
  • What documents do I need to submit for a complete application?
    • A student’s application will be considered complete when it contains:
      • All Students: Application, printed or typed neatly in blue/black ink and signed
      • High School Students: FAFSA Student Aid Report
      • College Students: FAFSA Student Aid Report AND college transcript (official or unofficial)
    • Please be sure that your first and last name are on every document you submit.
    • NOTE: Applications that are incomplete on the grant deadline will be denied**
  • How do I submit my application and supporting documents?
    • HAND-DELIVER OR MAIL:
      I Know I Can
      ATTN: I Know I Can Grant
      1108 City Park Ave, Suite 301
      Columbus, OH 43206
    • FAX: Be sure to include your name and phone on the cover page. Send all faxes to:
      ATTN: I Know I Can Grant
      614-233-9512
    • EMAIL: You can email your application and documents as an attachment.
      Attach the document to an e-mail message addressed to ldg@iknowican.org
      The subject of your e-mail message should include your name.
  • What is the FAFSA Student Aid Report? Where do I find it?
    • The FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR) is an electronic document that lists your answers to the questions on your FAFSA as well as basic information about your eligibility for federal student aid.
    • You can access your FAFSA SAR at www.fafsa.ed.gov after your FAFSA has been processed (approximately 4 business days after you complete and submit the FAFSA online).
    • The FAFSA SAR is typically 7-8 pages and can be downloaded as a PDF
    • NOTE: Be sure to complete your FAFSA at least one week prior to the I Know I Can Grant application deadline
  • Do I have to submit separate applications for the Founders’ Scholarship and the I Know I Can Grant?
    • Yes. CCS seniors applying to both the Founders’ Scholarship and I Know I Can Grant should submit completed, on-time applications for both the Founders’ Scholarship and I Know I Can Grant. Students can only receive one, so if you are selected for the Founders’ Scholarship, you will not receive the I Know I Can Grant.
  • What happens if I am approved for the Founders’ Scholarship and the I Know I Can Grant?
    • If you are approved for both, you will only receive the Founders’ Scholarship. We encourage eligible students to apply for both when submitting a Founders’ Scholarship application so you will not miss the deadline to apply for the I Know I Can Grant in the event that you are not selected for the Founders’ Scholarship.
  • I have been approved for the I Know I Can Grant. What next?
    • Once you have been approved for the I Know I Can Grant and received an approval letter, you should read the 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 up to $1,200.
  • How is the I Know I Can Grant dispersed?
    • The I Know I Can Grant is sent in two payments. You will receive $600 in the fall semester and $600 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 $600 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 four 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.

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