ST. CLAIRSVILLE — High-achieving students have an additional option should they choose to pursue an education at Ohio University, following an announcement Wednesday afternoon about Ohio Regional Promise for new students with a minimum grade point average of 3.0.

Nicole Pennington, executive dean of Regional Higher Education and Lifelong Learning, spoke, along with Ohio University President Hugh Sherman and Provost Elizabeth Sayers.

Afterward, Dean David Rohall of the St. Clairsville campus commented on the local impact.

“It’s a situation for Pell-eligible students,” he said, referring to a federal program for undergraduate students with financial need. Rohall added the students must complete Free Application for Federal Student Aid forms. “There’s a lot of aid out there, but if they don’t fill that out, they can’t get the aid.”

Rohall said the Pell program can provide up to $6,000, which would cover a year of tuition for OUE. He noted every student in the country can apply for the grant, and usually a third of applicants get some assistance, usually around $2,000-$3,000.

“Most students get some funding, but they don’t get the full $6,000,” he said. “What this scholarship does is cover the cost between what Pell is giving them in the Pell Grant and the rest of the tuition costs and fees.”

He said this was a valuable opportunity.

“It’s really kind of a unique program that I’ve seen,” he said. “It’s unusual for a big school like Ohio University to do it. I think it’s a great opportunity for us on the regional campuses to serve the community.”

In addition, Sayers, Sherman and others said OUE’s program offers some “relocation” opportunities to receive education at the central campus in Athens. They noted students may prefer the regional sites for smaller classes and more attention.

“What I like about the relocation option is every regional campus gives students the opportunity to start there and finish at the main campus,” Rohall said. “If there’s a program we don’t have on the regional campuses, you can start here and get your general education classes done, and maybe do some preparatory work for your major in the main campus, and you’ll still get some additional funding. It won’t cover the full tuition for the main campus, but it’ll be a significant help for those costs.

“My hope is that students who for any reason are worried about being able to afford college will no longer have to worry about it,” he added. “The ones who are the most concerned, the ones that have the least resources to obtain a four-year degree, will now be able to do and not worry how they’re going to pay for it, and I think that’s such a great opportunity there in the regional campuses to touch peoples’ lives. I think we always had the opportunity. We always had reasonable prices, but this brings us even closer.”

For his part, Rohall said OUE will focus on making prospective students aware of the option.

“There’s so many missed opportunities and the last thing you need is a student who missed this opportunity. Everyone needs to know,” he said. “There’s a lot of high-quality education in this region at a very good price, and this just adds to the mix of opportunities.”

Rohall said college staff members will also familiarize themselves with the program in order to support students.

“We need to make sure we’re thoroughly trained in the program and how to get people in,” he said.

Rohall added this is valuable for prospective students concerned about incurring a debt for their education.

“We all benefit in the region to have educated youth,” he said.

The deadline to apply is May 15 and the first cohort of students will begin school in fall. There is currently no limit on the number of prospective students who can apply.

For more information or to apply, visit www.ohio.edu/regional/ohio-regional-promise and https://www.ohio.edu/regional.