216.687.5411
Scholarships for
Incoming Freshmen and Transfer Students
Incoming freshmen and transfer students are automatically considered for scholarships once they are admitted to Cleveland State. In some cases, individual scholarships will require a separate application. All students are encouraged to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Scholarships for new undergraduates at Cleveland State are awarded based on their high school GPA, class rank and standardized test scores. Community College transfer students scholarships are awarded based on their community college GPA. In certain instances, a specific scholarship is awarded when a student meets the eligibility criteria as indicated by the donor of the award. Cleveland State University reserves the right to alter scholarship eligibility criteria and award amounts based on available funding.
Students will be notified by the university of scholarship awards based on their meeting specific scholarship eligibility criteria at the time of admission. In late fall, students will receive notification from the Admissions Office inviting them to attend a scholarship competition whereby a student may qualify for additional merit awards
The following scholarships offer students award amounts that are equal to full tuition for four years:
Honors Program Scholars
Criteria: Competitive merit award to 75 new students (50 new freshmen and 25 junior year college students). Freshmen students must have a minimum 30 ACT composite score, or 1950 SAT total score or be ranked in the top 10% of their high school class. Junior year college students with a minimum college cumulative GPA of 3.5 who have taken a rigorous curriculum including in the major will be considered. A separate application is required and is included in this packet. For additional information and the application, please visit www.csuohio.edu/honors.
Number of Awards: 75 new students (50 new freshmen and 25 junior year college students)
Amount of Award: Full tuition and general fees and books. Additional scholarship may be available to off-set residence hall charges.
Renewable: Yes, minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA
Contact: Dr. Barbara Margolius, Director, Cleveland State Honors Program, at 216.687.5559.
Presidential Scholarship
Criteria: Competitive merit award to 20 new freshmen with a minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA, minimum 25 ACT composite score or an 1130 SAT total score (critical reading and math combined). Recipients must attend Cleveland State full-time.
Number of Awards: 20
Amount of Award: Full four-year, in-state tuition up to 16 credit hours
Renewable: Yes, minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
Provost Scholarship
Criteria: High school senior graduating from a Cleveland public school recognized for his/her community leadership and academic achievement. Recipient must have a minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA and a letter of support from a community representative detailing his/her community service. Must attend Cleveland State full-time.
Number of Awards: 1
Amount of Award: Full in-state tuition up to 16 credit hours
Renewable: Yes, minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
Dean’s Scholars
Criteria: Transfer students entering at the junior level who have a minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA and are admitted into an academic college. Must attend Cleveland State full-time.
Number of Awards: 7
Amount of Award: Full two-year, in-state tuition up to 16 credit hours and books
Renewable: Yes, minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
Ruth Ann Moyer
Criteria: Awarded to two new freshmen or transfer students at least 25 years of age and an Ohio resident.
Number of Awards: 2
Amount of Award: Minimum 6 credit hours to maximum 16 credit hours
Renewable: Yes, must maintain cumulative 3.0 GPA
Our CSU Scholars Program award provides 150 students up to $4,000 in University tuition assistance from a variety of institutional funds per year for four years.
CSU Scholars Program
Criteria: Merit award for 150 full-time, new freshmen admitted to Cleveland State . Students must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA, minimum ACT composite score 23 or 1060 SAT total score (critical reading and math combined).
Amount of Award: Up to $1,500 per year for as many as four years if a 3.0 cumulative GPA is maintained.
Renewable: Yes
Students seeking awards for art, dance, music or theatre arts should contact the specific academic department for eligibility criteria. Students interested in scholarship offerings based on academic major or artistic ability in the fine arts should consult the academic colleges. Athletes should contact the Athletic Department regarding NCAA aid eligibility.
Athletic Grants (Division I)
Criteria: Visit http://csuvikings.cstv.com to contact coach of sport.
The following awards offer partial tuition or textbook assistance:
Aker-Drake Endowed Scholarship
Criteria: Scholarship awarded to high school first-generation college students with a cumulative 3.0 GPA. Student must be registered full time and have financial need.
Number of Awards: 3
Amount of Award: $250-$500
Renewable: No
Alumni Legacy Award
Criteria: Awarded to 10 freshmen with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA and whose parent received their bachelor's degree from Cleveland State University .
Number of Awards: 10
Amount of Award: $1,000
Renewable: Yes, for four years if 3.0 cumulative GPA is maintained
Claire A. Van Ummersen Scholarship
Criteria: Scholarship awarded to a new freshman student who graduated high school with a cumulative 3.0 GPA and is enrolled full time.
Number of Awards: 1
Amount of Award: $500-$1,000
Renewable: No
Curtis Wilson Scholarship for New Freshmen
Criteria: Must be a Cleveland public high school graduate of African-American descent. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and a minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA.
Number of Awards: 2
Amount of Award: $1,500
Renewable: No
Deadline: March 28
Contact: Valerie Hinton-Hannah, at 216.687.2048 for separate application.
Excellence in Leadership Scholarship
Criteria: High school senior graduating from a Cleveland public school recognized for his/her outstanding school and/or community leadership. A letter of nomination and supporting documentation citing specific examples of the student's leadership ability will need to be attached to the admissions application. A minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA is required. Must attend Cleveland State full-time.
Number of Awards: 2
Amount of Award: Full tuition and general fees up to 16 credit hours.
Renewable: Yes, student must maintain a cumulative 2.5 GPA for four years
Frank J. Ambrose Engineering Scholarship
Criteria: Competitive merit award for a new student interested in majoring in engineering. High school seniors will compete based on their ACT or SAT scores. A minimum score of 24 ACT or 1090 SAT is required for eligibility.
Number of Awards: 1
Amount of Award: Full in-state tuition and general fees for up to eight semesters
Renewable: Yes, minimum 3.0 GPA, and pursuit of an engineering degree
Contact: Dean's Office in the Fenn College of Engineering at 216.687.2555 for separate application.
HNTB Civil Engineering Scholarship
Criteria: Civil Engineering major. Full-time enrollment, min. 3.0 GPA, satisfactory citizenship, and ability to complete a 10-week summer internship program with HNTB. An essay and one faculty letter of recommendation is required.
Award: One full tuition and fees award. Renewable based on eligibility
Deadline: March 21st, 2008
Contact: Apply within the Dean's office, SH 104.
John M. Coyne Endowed Scholarship for Public Service
Criteria: Undergraduate full-time students majoring in urban studies with an interest in a public service career and a minimum cumulative 2.8 GPA. Preference will be given to students from Brooklyn, Ohio who meet all other criteria.
Number of Awards: 2
Amount of Award: Full tuition and books
Renewable: Yes, must maintain cumulative 2.8 GPA for two years
Deadline: April 15
Contact: Rose Cutler at 216.687.5263
Link Program Scholarship
Criteria: Incoming minority freshman students interested in the field of business, engineering, or computer and information sciences. Student has demonstrated achievement and motivation while maintaining a minimum cumulative 2.50 GPA.
Number of Awards: Varies
Amount of Award: $2,000
Renewable: No
Deadline: April 1
Contact: Career Services Center at 216.687.2233 for separate application
Los Latinos Unidos Scholarship
Criteria: Scholarship to an entering freshman, preferably Hispanic, with financial need
Number of Awards: 1
Amount of Award: $500
Renewable: No
Mary A. Spisak Scholarship
Criteria: Merit award to all National Merit finalists and National Achievement finalists who enter Cleveland State as new freshmen.
Number of Awards: 3
Amount of Award: Full in-state tuition and general fees
Renewable: Yes, minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA for four years
Mercedes Cotner Endowed Scholarship
Criteria: Need-based scholarship awarded to graduates of the Cleveland Municipal School District with an interest in majoring in urban studies and pursuing a public service career. Special consideration will be given to students from the Martin Luther King Jr. Law and Municipal Careers High School.
Number of Awards: 1
Amount of Award: Tuition (the difference between federal and state financial assistance and total tuition costs), books, and on-campus room and board
Deadline: April 30
Contact: Valerie Hicks at 216.687.5262 or valerie@urban.csuohio.edu for separate application
Moses Cleaveland Scholarships
Criteria: Scholarship assistance for high school seniors demonstrating academic achievement and great promise for completion of a bachelor's degree. Students must have a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA.
Number of Awards: Varies
Amount of Award: Varies, tuition assistance is provided by the generous donation of individuals and corporations in the Cleveland community.
Renewable: Varies
Ohio Academic Scholar Matching Award
Criteria: Merit award to Ohio Academic Scholarship recipients who enter Cleveland State as new freshmen or transfer student. Scholarship application not required.
Number of Awards: Varies
Amount of Award: $2,205 from Cleveland State, matched with $2,205 awarded annually by the Ohio Board of Regents
Renewable: Yes, as long as student is receiving Ohio Academic Scholarship
Phi Theta Kappa
Criteria: Merit award to members of the community college honorary society, Phi Theta Kappa
Number of Awards: Varies
Amount of Award: $1,000
Renewable: Yes, one year
Richard Eaton Scholarship
Criteria: Scholarship awarded to a new freshman interested in the field of communication. Student must have a high school cumulative 2.5 GPA, attend full-time, and show financial need.
Number of Awards: 1
Amount of Award: Full one year in-state tuition up to 16 credit hours for two semesters.
Renewable: No
The Plain Dealer Charities Scholarship
Criteria: Awarded to entering freshmen who are residents and graduates of a high school in Cuyahoga, Lake, Geauga, Portage, Summit, Medina or Lorain counties. Students must rank in the upper 20 percent of their class and score in the upper 25 percent on their SAT or ACT test. Documented financial need is also required. Candidates must intend to major in communications or business management.
Number of Awards: 2
Amount of Award: $1,000
Renewable: No
Transfer Scholars Program
Criteria: Competitive merit award to community college transfer students with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.
Amount of Award: Students transferring between 30-89 semester hours receive $1,500 a year for a total of four semesters. Students must attend Cleveland State full-time.
Renewable: Yes, minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
Tremont Scholarship
Criteria: Residence in the Tremont area, undergraduate and have financial need
Number of Awards: 3
Amount of Award: $500-$1,000
Renewable: No