EAST LIVERPOOL — Tri-State Area Tuition Mission Foundation Vice President Catherine S. Vodrey has announced tuition awards for the 2025 – 2026 academic year. TMF is awarding $214,000 to 25 students from six of the seven area school districts served by the foundation. The top award was $10,000, which 19 of the 25 recipients were awarded.

TMF was launched in 1962 as the Tri-State Area Citizens’ Scholarship Foundation. It was known locally as Dollars for Scholars until 2013. TMF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable foundation. Since 1992, 100% of donated funds have been put directly into tuition awards, though since 2018, investment income has been used to help cover a portion of overhead costs.

In addition to serving seven school districts in eastern Ohio, western Pennsylvania and northern West Virginia, TMF accepts applications from students in other educational settings, such as those who are enrolled in online classes or home-schooled. The only requirements are that applicants reside full-time within one of the districts and show financial need as measured by the TMF formula.

In July and again in November, TMF student recipients are required to send two letters to their assigned sponsors, who are typically donors and supporters of TMF. This allows the sponsors to get to know the students a little bit, and gives the students an opportunity to thank the generous people supporting their education via TMF.

Tuition awards function as no-interest loans. Students who accept TMF tuition awards sign multiple documents promising to fully repay their awards starting several months after they graduate or discontinue their education. Tuition awards cover any type of post-secondary education, from college and grad school to licensure and certification programs.

Applications are accepted online each year only between Feb. 15 and April 15. More information is available at TuitionMission.net, the foundation’s website.

This year’s recipients:

Beaver Local: A total of $73,000 awarded to eight students

Jordyn Paige Brown (BLHS 2024) — Malone University, Nursing — $10,000

Lexi Kate Wright (BLHS 2023) — Western Governors University, Special Education — $10,000

Haley Nicole Elliott (BLHS 2021) — University of Akron, Marketing — $10,000

Colin Michael Gaydos (BLHS 2024) — University of Mount Union, Nursing — $10,000

Wyatt James Glendenning (BLHS 2025) — Kent State University, Business — $10,000

Cameron Thomas Sullivan (BLHS 2025) — Cleveland State University, Mechanical Engineering — $3,000

Quinn Lewis Sullivan (BLHS 2022) — University of Puget Sound, History and Gender & Queer Studies — $10,000

Madelyn Reese Vernaccini (BLHS 2019) — Kent State University, Diagnostic Medical Sonography — $10,000

East Liverpool: A total of $45,000 awarded to six students

Derek Richard Carter II (ELHS 2020) — Youngstown State University, Psychology — $7,000

Camren Duane Christian (ELHS 2021) — Cleveland State University, Mechanical Engineering — $10,000

Quintin Maurice Conrad (ELHS 2025) — Wheeling University, Business — $10,000

Gina Alana Gulutz (ELHS 2017) — University of Pittsburgh, Health Informatics — $10,000

Gavin Xavier Wright (ELHS 2025) — PennWest University, Integrated Business — $3,000

Emily Marie Wright (ELHS 2023) — Kent State University, Early Childhood Education — $5,000

Oak Glen: A total of $66,000 awarded to eight students

Paige Lucille Evans (OGHS 2023) — University of Pittsburgh, Law — $10,000

Connor Flynn McGaffick (OGHS 2021) — University of Pittsburgh, Public Health — $10,000

Kennedy Jo McGeehan (OGHS 2022) — PennWest University, Psychology — $10,000

Caleb Ryan Miller (OGHS 2023) — Geneva College, Cybersecurity/Computer Science 3+1– $10,000

Gracelynn Anne Robinson (OGHS 2024) — Geneva College, Communication Speech Disorders — $10,000

Ashlyn Rae Six (OGHS 2024) — Fairmont State University, Exercise Science — $3,000

John Richard Weaver (OGHS 2024) — West Virginia Northern Community College, Welding — $10,000

Noah Matthew Wright (OGHS 2025) — Pennsylvania State University, Mechanical Engineering — $3,000

South Side: A total of $10,000 to one student

Zechariah Paul Ellis (SSHS 2022) — Geneva College, Business Administration — $10,000

Wellsville: A total of $10,000 to one student

Rorie Jo Hager (WHS 2025) — Miami University of Ohio, Nursing — $10,000

Western Beaver: A total of $10,000 to one student

Rachel Chloe Grubbs Griffin (WBHS 2019) — University of Pittsburgh, Doctor of Physical Therapy — $10,000