Grants and Scholarships
When paying for college, University System of Ohio students have a number of ways to lower the cost of sticker price tuition. One way is to secure a financial aid package offered by the State of Ohio. Grants and scholarships are awards that directly lower students' out-of-pocket education costs, and generally do not have to be repaid. The State of Ohio invests significant resources in a wide array of these programs so that immediate cost-savings are available to University System of Ohio students. Many types of grants and scholarships are available and awarded based on a number of factors including: areas of study (such as teaching, science, engineering, technology, math and medicine), academic merit, financial need, military status, and more. Learn more by exploring the state programs listed in the left sidebar.
College and University Grants and Scholarships
Individual colleges and universities in the University System of Ohio provide students with institutional grants and scholarships, which lower tuition sticker price. Similar to grants from the State of Ohio, these can be based on areas of study, academic merit, financial need, and more. They vary by institution, with some requiring different obligations from grant recipients. For information on institutional grants and scholarships available on University System of Ohio campuses, contact the individual institution’s financial aid office.
Federal Student Aid Programs
In addition to grants and scholarships provided by the State of Ohio and individual University System of Ohio colleges and universities, students are eligible for federal grants that directly lower the tuition sticker price for University System of Ohio students. Like grants from the State of Ohio, these generally do not need to be repaid by students. Several types of grants are offered, as are other financial aid programs including work-study and student loans. Loans differ from grants and work study programs insofar as repayment is required.
Learn More About Federal Grants, Loans and Work Study Programs 
Additional Grants and Scholarships/Financial Aid Hotline
There are hundreds of additional grants and scholarship programs that exist in the United States today which don’t fall under a State of Ohio, Federal, or Institutional umbrella. Call the University System of Ohio's College Access Information Hotline to learn more about these scholarship opportunities, 877-I-ATTAIN (428-8246).
A Word About Tuition
While tuition at University System of Ohio colleges and universities varies by institution, all undergraduate college and university tuition rates in the 2008-09 academic year are currently frozen at 2006 tuition rates. This two-year tuition freeze was made possible by historic funding from Governor Strickland and the 127th General Assembly, and was done in part to break the cycle of escalating tuition that pervaded public colleges and universities in Ohio over the past decade. To view 2008-09 tuition cost at University System of Ohio colleges and universities, go to each school's profile page on this Web site and click on the tuition link.
Other Cost-Saving Opportunities
In addition to freezing tuition from 2006 through the 2008-09 academic year, the state has simultaneously undertaken creative, bold approaches to continue building a world-class system of higher education called for in Ohio’s 10-Year Strategic Plan for Higher Education. From new scholarship programs (like the Ohio GI Promise and Ohio Teachers Corps described on this page) – to early college programs like Seniors to Sophomores, which can save students an entire year’s worth of college tuition – to the promise of providing associate and bachelor’s degrees at facilities within 30 miles of anywhere an Ohioan lives – there are a menu of high-quality, low-cost options for University System of Ohio students.
