CAMBRIDGE, Ohio – Applications are now being accepted for the Guernsey Impact Initiative, a reverse scholarship program from the Cambridge-Guernsey Community Improvement Corporation (CIC). The Guernsey Impact Initiative is designed to address the county’s declining population by encouraging young adults to stay or relocate to the community. The program will pay up to $20,000 in student loan debt over a four-year period for selected participants who work and live in Guernsey County.
“We have had a significant number of pre-applications submitted already from a wide range of employment sectors including manufacturing, healthcare, retail, and professional services,” said Bill Arnett, Executive Director, CIC. “We would like to thank our local employers, as well as Muskingum University, Marietta College, and Zane State College for helping us promote the program,” he added.
To qualify for the program, applicants must have earned their degree within the last three years if they already live and work in Guernsey County, or within the last seven years if they plan to relocate to Guernsey County. If selected for the program, non-residents must commit to relocating to Guernsey County within 90 days.
“We are absolutely thrilled to launch the Guernsey Impact Initiative and welcome our very first cohort,” said Andrea Jackson, Economic Development Specialist, CIC. “This group represents the heart, energy, and creativity of Guernsey County, and we can’t wait to support them as they build their future here in our community,” she added.
In addition to promoting the program, the CIC is actively seeking partners to help financially support future cohorts. “Each four-person cohort represents an $80,000 investment,” Arnett said. “Our goal is to continue the program for at least four cohorts, but it will require additional financial support to supplement the CIC’s investment.”
More information is available online at https://makeguernseymyhome.com. Those interested should complete a pre-application online. Once eligibility is determined, the CIC will email the application, which must be returned by October 31, 2026. The CIC will announce the first round of recipients before the end of the year.