Ohio senators are considering requiring top students who get a governor's scholarship to stay in the state for at least three years after they graduate, or pay the money back.

Ohio high school students who graduate in the top 5% of their class are currently eligible for a state scholarship of $5,000 a year, for a total of four years if they go to an in-state public or private college or university.

Some senate amendments unveiled Tuesday give a glimpse into how that program might change in 2026.

The senate changes mean the top 2%of graduating seniors would qualify for the governor’s scholarship, not the top 5%. And the chair of the Senate Finance Committee said there’s a new caveat.

“You have to remain in Ohio after graduation for three years,” state Sen. Jerry Cirino (R-Kirtland) said

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