Educational Loans

Hess Educational Loans are competitive loans awarded to Ashland County residents of all ages who have graduated from any high school, and to non-Ashland County residents who have graduated from any Ashland County high school (Ashland, Hillsdale, Loudonville, and Mapleton high schools, and Ashland County-West Holmes Career Center).

The applicant’s household net worth must be less than $250,000. The applicant must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.

Loans are $2,000 or more per year and may be applied only to tuition costs and fees. Repayment begins one year after completion of college. Loans are interest-free during the time the student is in college, plus one additional year. If not paid in full after this additional year, interest is charged at the market prime rate. Students must reapply annually during their college career.

Application deadline: June 15

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Loan Recipients

If you’ve already been notified that you’ve received an educational loan, congratulations! You can log in to our Online System to complete acceptance forms or reporting documents.

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About Dr. Hess

Dr. Gilbert Hess was a doctor of veterinary medicine and the founder of Hess & Clark, Inc., and Ashland-based manufacturer of market stock food supplies and poultry medicines for farmers.

When he died in 1923, Dr. Hess left $100,000 in his will to create a charitable trust designed to help students with limited financial resources attain college education. Ashland County Community Foundation has administered the fund since 1998.

Hundreds of thousands of dollars have been loaned to Ashland County Students over the years. Today, these funds are still available to qualified students who need financial assistance to make the dream of higher education a reality.

Educational Loans