University-Administered Scholarships
The following general guidelines apply to scholarships offered at Ohio State. Additional information can be found on the Apply and FAQ tabs above. Contact us if you have any other questions or need clarification.
Please note that not all institutional scholarships can be combined. The total annual aid amount (including external resources) you receive cannot exceed the cost of attendance at Ohio State. Freshman merit scholarships are renewable annually for a maximum of 12 quarters of full-time undergraduate enrollment at the Columbus campus provided the recipient has earned a 3.2 or higher GPA by the end of the second year and continues to make satisfactory academic progress.
Quick Links >> Selected Merit : OMA : Athletes : Specials : Housing : Departments : ROTC : Grad/Prof : Regional/ATI
Selected Merit Scholarship Programs
Ohio State offers various competitive scholarship programs for freshmen with academic merit. Recipients are selected by the Admissions Office, University Honors and Scholars Center, or the Office of Minority Affairs, in consultation with the Office of Student Financial Aid.
Renewals for these merit scholarships are automatic as long as the recipient remains eligible and is enrolled full-time.
Information about the following selected merit scholarships (2009-2010) can be found on the Admissions Office web site or our Scholarship Search site:
- Presidential Scholarship
- Medalist Scholarship
- Maximus Scholarship
- Provost Scholarship
- Scholarship for National Merit, National Achievement, and National Hispanic Scholars
- National Buckeye Scholarship
- Trustees Scholarship
- Land Grant Opportunity Scholarship
- Distinction Scholarship
- Prominence Scholarship
- Excellence Scholarship
- International Undergraduate Scholarship
Freshmen who are awarded a Presidential, Medalist, OMA Distinction, Prominence, or Excellence Scholarship must indicate acceptance of the award online on Student Self Service, accessible via Buckeye Link, page by May 1, 2009.
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Office of Minority Affairs Scholarship Programs
The Office of Minority Affairs (OMA) at Ohio State is one of the oldest and most respected in the country, and offers a range of financial aid and academic services for African-American, Asian-American, Hispanic-American, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Ohio Appalachian students.
OMA sponsors the following recruitment programs designed to help you enroll at Ohio State: The Freshman Foundation Program (FFP), the Morrill Scholars Program (MSP), and the Young Scholars Program (YSP).
Other national, regional, and locally sponsored programs are offered through Ohio State that may provide assistance to qualified students. Learn more about your opportunities at Ohio State by contacting the Office of Minority Affairs at (614) 292-0964, visiting OMA's web page at oma.osu.edu, or writing to:
Office of Minority Affairs
The Ohio State University
1000 Lincoln Tower
1800 Cannon Drive
Columbus, OH 43210-1230
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Guidelines for Student-Athletes
As a student-athlete at a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I institution, you are subject to additional rules regarding financial aid. The source of funds, the amount of funds, the classification of the funds according to NCAA regulations, your status as a tendered or recruited student-athlete and your final eligibility certification from the NCAA Clearinghouse all have an impact on whether or not you as a student-athlete will be permitted to accept the funds and maintain sport eligibility. This rule is true of external (non-Ohio State) scholarships and awards as well as Ohio State scholarships and financial aid.
Student-athletes are not permitted to use funds from external sources until they have been investigated and approved by Athletic Aid Administration. Documentation of the application process and selection criteria for all external scholarships and awards must be provided to our office by the organization providing the award, and specific rules must be followed in the payment of the funds to prevent violations of NCAA regulations. Certain Ohio State funds are also subject to additional scrutiny depending upon a variety of circumstances. There are situations in which a student-athlete will not be able to receive certain funds, external and/or institutional, because of the impact those funds have on the team limit.
If you receive financial aid from any external source, please report it in writing to Athletic Aid Administration. Failure to provide this information can cause delays in payment of fees, in approval of your status for practice or play, and in the revisions to other aid you may have received. Additionally, if you are receiving a merit-based award from Ohio State as well as an athletic grant, there are specific guidelines that affect your ability to receive both forms of aid.
If you have any questions about your scholarships or other awards, please contact Athletic Aid Administration by e-mail at sfa-athletes@osu.edu or by telephone at (614) 292-2952, or the Athletic Compliance Office at (614) 292-2681. Further information is available in the Student-Athlete Handbook.
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Special-Eligibility Scholarships
Some scholarships can only be awarded if students identify themselves to the Office of Student Financial Aid as being eligible. To apply for special-eligibility scholarships, complete the Application for Special Scholarships. Note that most special eligibility-scholarships require the FAFSA and/or a personal statement. More documentation may be required later. See Important Dates & Deadlines and be sure to apply on time.
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Cooperative Scholarship Housing (Columbus campus only)
The Office of Student Financial Aid awards cooperative scholarship housing opportunities on the basis of academic merit and demonstrated financial need. Students who accept these awards agree to participate in governing, managing, or maintaining their residence halls in exchange for a reduced cost of living on campus. Students who complete their housing contract, FAFSA, and Application for Special Scholarships by their deadline date will be considered for:
You may call Housing Assignments at (614) 292-8266 for information about the facilities.
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Departmental Scholarships
Many college offices and departments offer scholarships or grants to students who excel academically and/or have financial need. There are also some colleges that have funds available to help with students’ study abroad or traveling expenses related to academic projects. Contact your college office or visit the individual college web site for scholarship details and application procedures.
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ROTC Scholarships
Please call (614) 292-6075 (Army), (614) 292-6015 (Navy), or (614) 292-5441 (Air Force) for information on scholarship eligibility, stipends, application, and deadlines.
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Graduate and Professional Students
Graduate and professional students may apply for any special-eligibility scholarships for which they meet the criteria. To apply for special-eligibility scholarships, complete the Application for Special Scholarships. Note that most special eligibility-scholarships require the FAFSA and/or a personal statement. More documentation may be required later. See Important Dates & Deadlines and be sure to be apply on time. Contact the graduate school or your academic college for other available financial assistance programs.
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Regional Campus and ATI Students
Ohio State offers scholarships to students attending the Columbus campus and/or the Regional and ATI campuses. Some scholarships and grants, such as the Scarlet & Gray Grant, are available only to students enrolled at Columbus Campus. Each extended campus has a number of scholarships available only to students attending that campus.
Regional campus and ATI students may apply for any special-eligibility scholarships for which they meet the criteria. To review eligibilty criteria for these scholarships and to apply, please see Applying for Scholarships. Note that some special eligibility scholarships require the FAFSA and/or a personal statement. More documentation may be required later. See Important Dates & Deadlines and be sure to apply on time.
You should also contact your campus financial aid office directly or visit the Marion, Mansfield, Lima, Newark, or ATI scholarship web pages for additional scholarship opportunities.
