School officials can apply for grants to help defray the transportation costs for student field trips to the Ohio Supreme Court.

School officials can apply for grants to help defray the transportation costs for student field trips to the Ohio Supreme Court.

The application period is open for teachers or school administrators to apply for grants to help defray the transportation costs for their students to visit the Supreme Court and its Visitor Education Center. This is the seventh time grants have been offered to visit the Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center.

The Court’s Visitor Education Center gives students – fourth grade and above – an inside look at Ohio courts. School tours include student participation in a mock trial and a courtroom visit featuring artwork that portrays the state’s history, culture, and commerce.

All schools that receive state funds are eligible to apply. Grants will be awarded based on the schools’ percentage of students enrolled in the free-and-reduced-lunch program as reported by the Ohio Department of Education. Additionally, this year, preference will be given to schools that did not receive transportation grant funds during the 2015-2016 or 2016-2017 school years.

Applications must be completed online by authorized teachers or school administrators. The deadline to apply is Oct. 2, 2017.

The grant amount will be based on the one-way distance from the school to the Moyer Judicial Center at 65 South Front Street in downtown Columbus. The breakdown for the three funding categories is:

Less than 50 Miles - $220
51 to 100 Miles - $330
101 or More Miles - $440

School officials should note that no funds will be distributed prior to the scheduled trip to the Ohio Supreme Court building. Rather, a reimbursement check will be sent to the school principal or administrator within 30 days after the field trip. The grants will apply to student trips through the end of June 2018.

The Supreme Court and the Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center Foundation are providing the funding for the grants.

For questions or additional information, contact the Supreme Court’s civic education staff at courttours@sc.ohio.gov or 614.387.9223.