2025 Ohio Lobbying Assoc. Foundation Scholarship

2025 OLA Foundation Scholarship Application

Submission deadline - Wednesday, October 29, 2025, 5 pm ET
Applicant Information
Dear Scholarship Applicant,

The Ohio Lobbying Association (OLA) was founded in 1989 as a professional association representing legislative and executive agency agents who lobby the state of Ohio. The OLA is also a forum to discuss public policy and professional issues related to the practice of lobbying.

Part of the OLA mission is to carry out an effective communication and public education program designed to promote both the public interest and to create a greater understanding of the lobbying profession. We strive to maintain a standard of excellence among Association members and the work they perform. We are proud of our profession and are always seeking new ways to educate the public about the importance of our work in positively impacting public policy in Ohio.

In 2016, the OLA established the OLA Foundation, a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization that provides academic scholarships to Ohio college students studying public policy.

The OLA Foundation will grant up to three $2,000 scholarships to deserving students based on the strength of their essays, academic performance, community service, and extracurricular activities.

Members of the OLA Foundation Scholarship Committee will score each application, and the committee retains the right to determine the ultimate number and dollar amount of scholarships to be awarded.

Eligible applicants must be undergraduate students in a public affairs or related major entering their junior or senior year in the fall of 2025. Applicants should be interested in and working toward a career that includes a public policy focus. Other applicants not interested in pursuing work in this arena are welcome to apply; however, preference will be given to those planning to work in the public policy profession.

The scholarships will be awarded and recipients notified during the 2025/2026 fall semester.

Interested students should complete and submit the following application electronically, no later than 5 pm ET on Wednesday, October 29, 2025.

On behalf of the OLA Foundation, we wish you well in your academic studies and your future career. Good luck!

Sincerely,

Melissa Kuhn Wheeler, Chair
OLA Foundation Scholarship Committee

Name

First NameLast Name
Permanent Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Cell Phone
Email Address
example@example.com
EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION
Major(s)
Minors(s)
Special Program (if any)
Career Interest
Current Grade Point Average

POLITICAL/GOVERNMENT SERVICE - (Political campaigns, College Ds/Rs, poll worker, etc.)

	Campaign/Gov't Entity	Years Involved	Hrs Per Week	Position Held
1
2
3
4
5

COMMUNITY SERVICE - (Volunteer activities through church, non-profits, etc.)

	Organization	Years Involved	Hrs Per Week	Position Held
1
2
3
4
5

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES - (Intramural, clubs, community, other)

	Activity	Years Involved	Hrs Per Week	Leadership Position Held (President, Chair, Captain, etc.)
1
2
3
4
5

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

	Award/Recognition	Year Awarded	Level (local, regional, state, national
1
2
3
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5

ESSAY

In 600 to 1,000 words, explain why you should be chosen to receive a scholarship from the Ohio Lobbying Association Foundation. Essays will be rated on your interest in public policy and/or politics as well as quality of writing, including style, content, and presentation. (spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc.)
OLA FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP ESSAY*
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION - Two Required

Please include two letters of recommendation with your application and essay.
Letter of Recommendation #1

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Letter of Recommendation #2

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LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION - Two Required

Please include two letters of recommendation with your application and essay.
Applicant Signature*

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Date

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Date
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2025 OLA Foundation Scholarship Application

Applicant Information

EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION