The I Know I Can Grant

$2,500 Per Academic Year

The I Know I Can Grant is available to eligible Columbus City Schools seniors & graduates and provides $2,500 per academic year to help cover tuition, fees, and other college-related expenses.

In addition to financial support, grant recipients have access to I Know I Can advisors, resources, and guidance to help them stay on track, succeed in their studies, and achieve their educational goals.

What You Need to Know

  • The I Know I Can Grant provides $2,500/academic year.
  • Students may renew the grant for up to five years (two years at a two-year institution).
  • Students must re-apply for the grant each year
  • Students must submit their first application during their senior year of high school or the year after high school graduation.
  • Students are eligible to receive one of IKIC’s funding opportunities (either the IKIC Grant or the Founders Scholarship) and the Columbus Promise scholarship.

Eligibility Requirements

High school students must have a minimum 2.25 GPA.

College students must have a minimum 2.0 GPA.

Applicants must be enrolled or planning to enroll in college full-time.

Applicants must complete the FAFSA and be Federal Pell Grant eligible.

To check your Pell Grant eligibility, you can check the status of your FAFSA by logging into your account at www.studentaid.gov.

Supporting Documents Needed:

CLICK HERE TO OPEN A STEP-BY-STEP DOCUMENT ON HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS.

PDF of your 2025-26 FAFSA Submission Summary.

PDF of your unofficial High school Transcript (first time applicants).

PDF of your unofficial College Transcript (renewal applicants).

Steps to Apply

1
Complete your FAFSA

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) once it opens on or around December 1st.

Reach out to your I Know I Can College Advising Manager for FAFSA assistance.

2
Create an Account In Our Portal

Click here to create a new account in our application portal. You’ll need your CCS High School Student ID and a personal email address.

If you have previously applied for I Know I Can funding or are renewing your grant, you should already have an account. If you don’t remember your password, click “Forgot your password” to reset it.

3
General Funding Application

After creating your account, you’ll complete a brief general funding application to determine your eligibility for the I Know I Can Grant. If you’re eligible to apply, you’ll then be prompted to upload your supporting documents in the next step.

4
Upload Supporting Documents

In the portal, upload a PDF of your 2025-26 FAFSA Submission Summary and your unofficial high school transcript (first-time applicants) or your unofficial college transcript (renewal applications).

(CLICK HERE TO OPEN A STEP-BY-STEP DOCUMENT ON HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS.)

5
Check Your Email

You’ll receive an email notifying you whether you’re eligible to receive the I Know I Can Grant. This email will detail the additional supporting documents you’ll need to upload.

6
Upload Final Supporting Documents

Return to the portal and upload your Financial Aid Award Letter from your college/university, as well as your first semester course schedule.

(CLICK HERE TO OPEN A STEP-BY-STEP DOCUMENT ON HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS.)

*The Founders Scholarship Application does not take the place of other I Know I Can funding applications. You must submit separate applications for each award, but you are only able to receive one.*

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