Scholarships
Freshmen | Continuing | Graduate | Transfer | Regional
Funds for academically talented and creatively gifted students are offered by Ohio University through a variety of scholarships. The Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships also offers awards with special criteria. Your freshmen admissions application serves as your application for most University scholarships. Upperclass students who submit the online scholarship application are also considered for most upperclass scholarships. You should also check with your department or academic advisor to see if there are other scholarships for which you may want to apply.
Because many scholarships also require students to have financial need, all scholarship applicants are strongly encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by OHIO's extended first-priority consideration date, April 15, 2024.
All students with interest in obtaining a scholarship must reapply each year. Even students who currently have a scholarship should complete the Continuing Student Scholarship Application.
By receiving a scholarship, it means that you agree to abide by all university, federal, and state regulations. While scholarship program criteria may vary, the following is generally true for University scholarships. To see if your scholarship has different criteria, review your OHIO Student Center.
Hours Requirement
In general, students must register for, at least, 15 credit hours each semester during the academic year you receive a scholarship. You must earn, at least, 30 hours for the year. For exact hours requirements for your specific scholarships, visit your OHIO Student Center and select "Accept/Decline Awards". Select the name of each scholarship for details.
If you are studying abroad, you must meet one of the following criteria to be eligible to use your Ohio University scholarship:
- Register for at least 15 hours at Ohio University, or
- Participate on an official Ohio University exchange program, or
- Enroll at a foreign institution that is a partner school with Ohio University (a listing of such OU partner institutions which accept Exchange and/or Study Abroad students is provided by the Office of Global Opportunities), or
- Be a full-time student on a study abroad program through another four-year state school in Ohio through the Ohio International Consortium, or
- Participate in a program offered by a program provider designated as an official affiliate of Ohio University or any organization or consortium of which Ohio University is a member. A listing of these providers is available from the Office of Global Opportunities.
Students who study abroad through another American university or program provider not listed on the Office of Global Opportunities website cannot use their Ohio University scholarship. Also, students who enroll through direct enrollment at a foreign school that is not a foreign partner school, will not be eligible to use their Ohio University scholarship during their studies abroad.
If you are on a co-op or internship, the following is required to receive your scholarship:
- The work experience must be full time,
- You must register for at least one hour of co-op or internship credit, and
- The co-op or internship must be approved in writing by the Dean's Office of your college.
Senior Hour Exemption
Graduating seniors who have a scholarship requiring 15 credit hours are eligible for a Senior Hour Exemption for one term in their senior year. The Senior Hour Exemption allows scholarship payment at 12 credit hours rather than 15 credit hours. To request the exemption, please contact the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships.
Outside Agency Scholarships
We advise you to seek outside scholarship opportunities through your high school, parents' employers, community-based organizations, and corporations. If you receive a scholarship from an outside source, please confirm the check clearly indicates student name and OHIO PID and endorse the check (if needed). Mail it to ATTN: Outside Agency Scholarships, Ohio University, Chubb Hall 020, Athens, OH 45701. Make sure to provide contact information for the agency, such as phone number, e-mail address, and physical address. Outside agency scholarship awards of $1,000 or less will be applied fully to fall semester unless otherwise specified by the donor. All other scholarships are divided equally between fall and spring semesters.
Freshmen
Ohio University is proud to offer first-time freshmen on OHIO's Athens campus the OHIO Excellence Awards Program. We encourage you to explore the details of this generous, renewable scholarship program.
While our scholarship program focuses on first-year students, many other scholarships are offered through a variety of organizations and agencies.
Learn more about external scholarships
Students are automatically considered for freshman scholarships by applying for admission via the freshman admission application and submitting a complete application by the early action date of November 15. Because many scholarships also require financial need, all scholarship applicants are strongly advised to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15.
Upper-Class Students
All currently enrolled students should complete the Online Scholarship Application. The 2024-25 scholarship application opens November 1, 2023. Students must apply no later than February 1, 2024 to receive first-priority consideration. Students receiving scholarships will be notified in March.
This online scholarship application serves as your application for the Dean's Scholarship, which is available to undergraduate students for their sophomore, junior, and senior years. Applicants for the Dean's Scholarship normally must have:
- Accumulated a GPA of at least a 3.4 at the end of fall semester in the application year;
- Earned at least 15 hours for the fall semester in the application year and be registered in at least 15 hours for spring semester to earn 30 hours over the two combined semesters;
- Completed a minimum of one semester at Ohio University;
- Earned less than 120 total credit hours; and
- Self-identify on the online scholarship application if in a study abroad, co-op, or internship program for the application year.
The Dean's Scholarship is a competitive award. Students meeting the above criteria are considered for this scholarship, but it is not awarded to all students.
Other Scholarships for Currently Enrolled and Graduate Students
In addition to the Dean's Scholarship, Ohio University has a variety of endowed and restricted scholarships which are awarded yearly. These scholarships have a variety of grade point average, major, and place of residence prerequisites. All currently enrolled students (including graduate students) should consider completing the Online Scholarship Application.
Graduate Students
Scholarships for graduate students are awarded by individual schools or departments. You should apply for a graduate scholarship as part of the graduate admissions application process.
Transfer Students
New transfer students admitted to the fall term are automatically considered for transfer scholarships. Undergraduate Admissions reviews credentials and transcripts received. No separate application is required. To be considered for a transfer scholarship, a new transfer student must apply for and be admitted to Ohio University by May 15.
Regional Campus Students
If you plan to attend one of Ohio University's five regional campuses, your application for admission serves as your application for all available freshmen scholarships. Currently enrolled students should complete the online scholarship application(opens in a new window) available beginning November 1, 2023. Students must apply no later than February 1, 2024 to receive first-priority consideration.