CAMBRIDGE, Ohio (AVC News) — Applications are now open for a Guernsey County program offering up to $20,000 in student loan assistance to encourage young adults to live and work in the county.
The Guernsey Impact Initiative, launched by the Cambridge-Guernsey Community Improvement Corp. (CIC), is designed to address the county’s declining population by encouraging young adults to remain in or relocate to the community.
Selected participants can receive up to $20,000 toward student loan debt over four years, provided they live and work in Guernsey County.
Applicants who already live and work in the county must have earned their degree within the past three years. Those planning to relocate to Guernsey County may qualify if they earned their degree within the past seven years. Selected applicants who do not currently live in the county must commit to relocating within 90 days.
CIC Executive Director Bill Arnett said the program has already received a significant number of pre-applications from people in a variety of employment sectors, including manufacturing, health care, retail and professional services.
Arnett thanked local employers, Muskingum University, Marietta College and Zane State College for helping promote the initiative.
CIC Economic Development Specialist Andrea Jackson said the organization is preparing to welcome its first group of participants, describing the cohort as a source of energy and creativity for the community.
The CIC is also seeking financial partners to help support future groups. Each four-person cohort represents an $80,000 investment, and the organization hopes to continue the program for at least four cohorts.
Interested individuals can complete a pre-application online at makeguernseymyhome.com. Applicants determined to be eligible will receive an application by email, which must be returned by Oct. 31.
The CIC plans to announce the first round of recipients before the end of the year.
Last Updated on October 1, 2026 by AVC News
