TOLEDO—The Northwest Ohio Scholarship Fund, Inc. (NWOSF) has awarded $614,800 in need-based scholarships to 658 students for the 2009-2010 school year.

Scholarship are for children who attend kindergarten through eighth-grade private schools or are home-schooled. The students are attending 47 private schools located in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan, including Toledo Islamic Academy, Maumee Valley Country Day, Toledo Gesu Catholic School and others. The average scholarship per child is $934.

NWOSF has awarded $7.5 million in need-based scholarships during the last 11 years to more than 9,300 students. Eligible families are required to demonstrate their financial need as measured by standards similar to the Federal School Lunch program.

“The NWOSF means more socioeconomic diversity for our school. It allows students to attend a private school that otherwise would not be able to,” says Heather Elbriki, principal of Islamic School of Greater Toledo.

The Northwest Ohio Scholarship Fund believes that all children, regardless of their economic circumstances, deserve access to quality educational opportunities. A recent survey conducted by the Department of Education reported that parents exercising school choice are more satisfied with their children’s education. The NWOSF is one of 37 programs throughout the country affiliated with the national Children’s Scholarship Fund.

To learn more about the scholarship program and to get an application form, visit www.nosf.org or contact Ann Riddle, program coordinator, at 419-244-6711, ext. 219.