Scholarships for students at The Ohio State University

Key takeaways about Ohio State scholarships

• Ohio State offers merit scholarships, need-based aid, departmental scholarships, athletic scholarships, and private scholarship opportunities for eligible students.
• Applying by Ohio State's November 1 Early Action deadline can help first-year students maximize consideration for many university merit scholarships.
• Many students combine Ohio State scholarships with private scholarships to lower college costs and reduce what they may need to borrow.
• Scholarships are available for incoming freshmen, current students, transfer students, graduate students, and students in specific majors.
• You don't need a perfect GPA to qualify for every scholarship opportunity. Many awards also consider leadership, service, financial need, talents, background, and career goals.

Ohio State University scholarships: Where to start

If you're looking for scholarships for Ohio State students, you're probably trying to figure out how university aid, private scholarships, grants, and financial aid can work together.

The good news is that scholarships can make a meaningful difference. Research from Sallie’s “How America Pays for College 2026” found that 61% of families used scholarships to help pay for college, with an average of $8,291 received among scholarship users. Even more encouraging, 76% of families using scholarships said the funding made college attendance possible.

At Ohio State University, students may find OSU scholarships through university merit programs, need-based aid, departmental scholarships, athletic scholarships, state and federal aid, and outside scholarships.

This guide explains how Ohio State scholarships work, how to apply, and where to look for additional scholarship opportunities that can help lower college costs over time.

If you're still comparing schools, Ohio State's profile on Scout College Search can help you explore estimated costs, financial aid information, admissions details, and more.

What scholarships are available for Ohio State students?

Ohio State students can find scholarships from several sources. Some are awarded through the admissions process. Others may require a separate application through Scholarship Universe—Ohio State’s tool for matching students with scholarships they may qualify for—or through an academic college, department, athletics, or outside organization

Merit scholarships

Merit scholarships recognize academic achievement and other accomplishments. For many incoming first-year students, the admissions application is the starting point for university-funded merit scholarship consideration.

Need-based aid

Need-based aid is based on a student's financial circumstances and may include scholarships, grants, work-study, and federal aid. Students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA^®) by Ohio State's priority date to keep more aid options open.

Departmental scholarships

Some Ohio State colleges and departments offer scholarships or grants for students in specific majors or programs. These awards may consider academic performance, financial need, research interests, career goals, campus involvement, or donor criteria.

Athletic scholarships

Student-athletes may be eligible for athletic scholarships depending on their sport, roster needs, NCAA rules, and coaching staff decisions. Students should work directly with Ohio State Athletics and coaching staff for athletic aid questions.

Private scholarships

Private scholarships can come from employers, nonprofits, community foundations, civic groups, professional organizations, religious groups, military organizations, and national scholarship platforms. These awards can help cover education-related costs, depending on each scholarship's rules.

Tools like Scholly^® Scholarships can help students find private scholarships based on their major, background, interests, and goals.

Ohio State merit scholarships

Ohio State offers several university merit scholarships for incoming first-year students at the Columbus campus. These awards can be competitive, and eligibility criteria, deadlines, and award rules can vary.

For many merit scholarships, students should apply for admission by the November 1 Early Action deadline. Some programs require extra steps, separate essays, or additional applications.

President's Ohio Scholarship Program

The President's Ohio Scholarship Program recognizes Ohio residents who earn a perfect ACT score of 36 or SAT score of 1600 on a single test date and meet Ohio State's application requirements.

Students must submit all required application materials by the November 1 Early Action deadline to be considered.

Stamps Eminence Scholarship Program

The Stamps Eminence Scholarship Program is one of Ohio State's most selective scholarship programs. It recognizes students with strong academic achievement, leadership, service, and a commitment to making an impact.

Students selected for the program become part of a cohort experience that includes scholarship funding and opportunities connected to leadership, service, research, and community engagement. Additional application steps are required.

Morrill Scholarship Program

The Morrill Scholarship Program recognizes academically talented students who have shown leadership, service, and a commitment to engagement and community impact.

Students who want to be considered should indicate interest in the Morrill Scholarship Program on the admission application and complete the required Morrill essay.

Land Grant Opportunity Scholarship

The Land Grant Opportunity Scholarship is designed for Ohio residents who are Pell-eligible and demonstrate significant financial need and academic promise.

Eligible Ohio residents are considered based on their admission application, FAFSA^® information, Pell eligibility, and other current program criteria.

National Buckeye Scholarship

The National Buckeye Scholarship is for competitive non-Ohio resident students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. It can be combined with certain other Ohio State merit awards.

Students who apply by the November 1 Early Action deadline are automatically considered if they meet eligibility requirements.

Maximus, Provost, and Trustees Scholarships

The Maximus, Provost, and Trustees Scholarships are university merit awards for competitive incoming first-year students. Ohio State considers factors such as academic performance, curriculum strength, class rank if available, and test scores if submitted.

Students who apply by the November 1 Early Action deadline are automatically considered if they meet eligibility requirements.

Eligibility requirements

Ohio State merit scholarship eligibility can depend on the scholarship, residency status, citizenship status, academic profile, admission application, and deadline. Many university-funded merit scholarships are for incoming first-year students attending the Columbus campus.

• Apply by Ohio State's November 1 Early Action deadline for automatic consideration for many merit scholarships.
• Some scholarships, including Stamps Eminence and Morrill, require additional materials or separate application steps.
• International students are not eligible for these university-funded merit scholarships.
• Most Ohio State institutional merit scholarships cannot be combined with one another, although the National Buckeye Scholarship may be combined with certain other university awards.
• Submit the FAFSA^® by February 1 to maximize eligibility for need-based scholarships, grants, loans, and Federal Work-Study.

Because criteria can change, students should review Ohio State's current scholarship requirements before applying.

Private scholarships for Ohio State students

One common scholarship mistake is assuming Ohio State scholarships are your only option. Private scholarships can help fill gaps and may reduce what you need to borrow or pay out of pocket.

Sallie's “How America Pays for College 2026” found that 67% of families who didn’t use scholarships said the student never applied. That means many students may miss out on funding simply because they don’t start.

National scholarships

National scholarships may be more competitive, but they're still worth considering if you're a strong fit. Look for awards tied to your goals, background, interests, identity, leadership experience, service, or field of study.

Ohio scholarships

Ohio State students should explore Ohio-based scholarships from community foundations, local businesses, civic groups, nonprofits, employers, professional organizations, and state programs. Local awards may receive fewer applications than large national scholarships.

Students should also check whether a parent or guardian's employer, their own employer, or a local business offers scholarships for employees or dependents.

Major-specific scholarships

Students may find scholarships tied to business, engineering, education, agriculture, public health, nursing, arts, social work, data science, communications, and other fields. Academic colleges and departments can be strong places to start.