For the academic year 2009-2010 the Southern Ohio Agricultural & Community Development Foundation (SOACDF) will administer a $1.5 million Educational Assistance Program for eligible individuals, their spouses and immediate dependents.  Please contact the SOACDF Office regarding the Educational Assistance Program.

The SOACDF Educational Assistance Program assists tobacco farmers who have suffered the economic impact of reductions in quota in recent years. The funds are intended to help these individuals acquire skills to enter new or supplemental income-generating occupations, and to help put their dependents through college with financial support that can no longer be solely derived from the growing of tobacco. 

“We are extremely please to again offer grant dollars for educational assistance for Ohio’s tobacco farm families,” stated Don Branson, Executive Director of the SOACDF.  “I would like to commend the Foundation’s Board of Trustees for their considerable insight and commitment to this successful program” Don Branson further noted, “The educational assistance program is an investment in Appalachian -Ohio that will pay dividends well into the future.”

Award recipients are to apply their assistance toward tuition and fees in state or out-of-state at accredited institutions of higher education, or to receive specialized training at non-accredited institutions approved by the SOACDF.  In addition to degree programs, students may participate in certificate programs or other training that will provide them with employment opportunities.

For the 2009-2010 academic year, the SOACDF Educational Assistance Program provides up to $3,250 for undergraduate degree programs, $3,000 for graduate degree programs and up to a 50% cost share with maximum reimbursement of $500 for non-degreed programs with a one course limit.  The actual amount awarded to an individual may not exceed the calculated need determined by the educational institution. The total assistance provided to any family may not exceed $10,000 per academic year.

Applications for the 2009-2010 SOACDF Educational Assistance Program will be available by early July 2009, at county Farm Service Agency (FSA), Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS), Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) and OSU Extension offices throughout southern Ohio.

 For more information about the SOACDF Educational Assistance 2009-2010 program, contact the SOACDF office at 937-393-2700.

The application information is formatted in Acrobat PDF files.  To read them you will need to obtain the Acrobat Reader for free.