Cleveland State is a public university on Euclid Avenue in downtown Cleveland, and two things make its money picture different from most schools. First, the price is locked. Under Ohio’s tuition guarantee, the rate your student starts with (the 2026-2027 cohort pays $6,828 per semester as an Ohio resident) stays the same for four years. Second, full-time tuition is flat from 12 to 18 credits, so a student taking 15 or 16 credits a semester pays the same as one taking 12, and has a much better shot at finishing in four years.
🚨 Easy-to-Miss “Gotchas” at Cleveland State (Read This First)
The earliest money deadline is November 15. That is the first-round deadline for the Mandel Honors College, which has just 40 incoming scholarships. Strong students who wait for spring are competing for what is left.
File the FAFSA by February 15 or leave $4,000 on the table. CSU pays a $1,000-a-year FAFSA Completion Grant just for filing on time, renewable for four years.
March 1 is the real scholarship deadline. Everything (application, transcripts, any test scores) needs to be in by March 1 for priority consideration, and CSU warns funds can run out before then.
There is no published merit chart. Awards run $2,000 to $7,000 a year based on GPA and ACT/SAT, but you will not know the exact number until the award letter. The figures on this page are CSU’s Fall 2026 terms; Fall 2027 terms had not been posted as of September 2026.
Test-optional for admission is not the same as test-blind for money. CSU says merit is based on GPA and ACT/SAT scores. If your student’s scores are strong, send them.
Keep 12 credits every fall and spring. Merit renews only with at least 12 credit hours per semester and a 2.0 GPA. Dropping a class mid-semester can cost the scholarship.
Michigan, New York, or Pennsylvania family? You may find an older CSU page describing a “Voyager” award that matches in-state tuition. CSU’s current freshman scholarship page does not list it and the 2026-2027 tuition schedule shows no special rate, so ask Allin1 Enrollment Services before counting on it.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes, for admission. Cleveland State University is test-optional for admission.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 21; SAT: 1080.
Average net price? About $16,065/year after aid.
Does this school use waivers/reciprocity?
No broad regional reciprocity path.
💰 Cost of Attendance at Cleveland State University: 2026–2027 Rates
Figures verified against official sources in September 2026.
📅 Planning for 2027–2028? These are the 2026–2027 rates, the newest Cleveland State University has published. Colleges usually release next year's costs in the spring, and we update this page when they do.
Budgeting tip: costs typically rise 2% to 5% a year. For 2027–2028, plan on roughly
$600 to $1,500 more than the in-state total below.$700 to $1,800 more than the out-of-state total below.
In-State: billed cost per year
$29,270
Tuition, fees, housing, and meals for two semesters
Tuition & mandatory fees
$13,656
Housing & meals (typical)
$15,614
Total billed cost
$29,270
Out-of-State: billed cost per year
$35,183
Tuition, fees, housing, and meals for two semesters
Tuition & mandatory fees
$19,569
Housing & meals (typical)
$15,614
Total billed cost
$35,183
That is $5,913 more per year than Ohio residents pay, before any waivers or scholarships.
Average federal net price: $16,065 per year.
This is what first-time, full-time students who received grant aid paid after grants and scholarships, for in-state students only, based on the most recent federal data. It counts books and living costs, so it can run higher than the billed total above. Families who got no grants are not in this average, so many middle-income families pay more. New to Net Price & SAI? Read our guide.
Out-of-state families: this average does not include you. Run the college's own net price calculator for a number based on your situation.
Ohio’s Tuition Guarantee: Your Price Is Locked
CSU prices tuition by entering class. A student starting in Fall 2026 pays the 2026-2027 cohort rate ($6,828 per semester in-state, $9,784.56 out-of-state) from Fall 2026 through Summer 2030. Each new class gets a slightly higher rate, but your student’s rate does not go up while they are enrolled. Housing, food, and other living costs are not part of the guarantee.
FAQ: Cost of Attendance at Cleveland State University
Does tuition go up every year at Cleveland State?
Not for your student. Ohio’s tuition guarantee locks the cohort rate for four years. The 2026-2027 cohort rate is set from Fall 2026 through Summer 2030. Plan for housing and food to rise, but tuition is one number you can budget once.
How much more does CSU cost for out-of-state students?
About $5,900 a year more in tuition ($19,569 vs. $13,656 for the 2026-2027 cohort). Every admitted out-of-state freshman automatically gets the $2,850 CLE Gateway Grant, which cuts that premium roughly in half, to about $3,100 a year before any merit.
Does CSU offer in-state tuition to students from neighboring states?
Not through a regional program. CSU does not participate in a broad tuition reciprocity agreement. The Gateway Grant is the main tool for out-of-state families, and it is automatic.
What does a full year really cost, including books and gas?
CSU’s own budget for an Ohio resident runs $33,018 to $34,172, depending on which tuition cohort the student is in. That includes $15,614 for housing and food, $1,000 for books and supplies, $1,700 for transportation, and $2,200 for personal expenses. CSU does not publish an out-of-state total, but using the same budget lines it comes to roughly $40,000.
Why is housing the same whether my student lives on or off campus?
CSU uses one $15,614 estimate for food and housing in its aid budget. If your student lives at home and commutes, your real out-of-pocket for that line can be much lower, even though the official budget does not change.
Does taking more classes cost more?
Not between 12 and 18 credits. Full-time tuition is a flat rate across that range, so taking 15 to 18 credits a semester is the cheapest way to stay on a four-year track.
Is the average net price what we will pay?
It is the federal average for students who received grants and scholarships, not a quote. Families with strong grades, early FAFSA filing, or financial need often pay less. Run CSU’s Net Price Calculator for a number based on your own finances.
October 1: Choose Ohio First application opens (Ohio STEM students).
November 15: Mandel Honors College first-round deadline, where the 40 Honors scholarships live.
February 15: FAFSA submitted = $1,000 a year FAFSA Completion Grant.
March 1: All admission materials in for priority merit consideration.
March 15: Last day to audition for Music Talent Scholarships (any major).
Parent rule of thumb: CSU admits on a rolling basis, so it is easy to think there is no rush. There is. The money has deadlines even when admission does not.
Automatic Merit Scholarships at Cleveland State University
Every admitted full-time freshman is automatically reviewed for merit. No separate application is required. CSU’s three automatic awards are built to stack: merit ($2,000 to $7,000 a year), the $1,000 FAFSA Completion Grant, and, for out-of-state students, the $2,850 CLE Gateway Grant. Have everything in by March 1.
Find your student's tier
Enter the numbers you have. We'll highlight the automatic award your student would actually get and tuck the rest out of the way. Leave it blank to browse everything.
Residency
Based on published cutoffs for entering freshmen. Always verify with the college before finalizing plans.
Start with your state. The awards in this first group come from the state, not the college. They are decided by residency and the FAFSA, and they stack on top of whatever automatic merit award the college gives below. If you live out of state, use the toggle above and these will step aside.
State AidApp Requiredstate residency
Ohio Governor's Merit Scholarship
📅 Deadline: School nomination by Oct 1; student must accept by May 15 ✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
$5,000/yr
✔ Stackable
Top 5% of the graduating class at an Ohio public or chartered nonpublic high school, ranked by GPA at the end of junior year; nominated by the school by Oct 1; must accept in the state portal by May 15 or it is rescinded; Ohio colleges only
✚
Stacking & Combining
Up to $5,000 a year for four years, and it can be applied to any cost up to the college's cost of attendance, not just tuition. Stacks with every college award. Renews automatically at a 3.0 GPA with 20 credits a year. Enrolling out of state forfeits it for good.
💡
Strategic Detail
State program, not a Cleveland State University award. Rules and amounts are set by the state and can change with each budget. Full details on the CollegeReadyParent OH page.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Top-5% seniors whose school submitted the nomination and who then logged into the portal and clicked accept by May 15. The May 15 step is where awards die: it is a separate action from the college deposit, and students who are still deciding between schools sometimes let it lapse.
State AidAutomaticstate residencyneed based
Ohio College Opportunity Grant
📅 Deadline: FAFSA by the college's priority date; state cutoff Oct 1 ✓ Renews (5 yrs)
$4,000/yr
✔ Stackable
Ohio resident; FAFSA Student Aid Index of 3,750 or less AND household income of $96,000 or less; main campus of a public university; tuition and general fees only
✚
Stacking & Combining
$4,000 a year at a public main campus for low-income Ohio families, prorated for part time. Pays tuition and general fees only, and a student whose tuition is already fully covered by other tuition-specific aid gets nothing. Stacks with Pell and with college awards that cover housing or other costs. Ten-semester lifetime cap.
💡
Strategic Detail
State program, not a Cleveland State University award. Rules and amounts are set by the state and can change with each budget. Full details on the CollegeReadyParent OH page.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Families under $96,000 with a low Student Aid Index. The one that surprises people is the tuition-only rule: a student with a full-tuition merit award from the college loses OCOG entirely, because there is no tuition left for it to pay.
State AidApp Requiredstate residencyservice
Ohio War Orphans and Severely Disabled Veterans' Children Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Application by May 15 for the following year ✓ Renews (5 yrs)
Varies
✔ Stackable
Child of an Ohio veteran who died in service or has a service-connected disability rating of 60% or more; apply between ages 16 and 24; Ohio public colleges
✚
Stacking & Combining
For 2026-27 the board set it at 77% of tuition and general fees at an Ohio public college. Stacks with Pell and college aid; cannot be combined with Choose Ohio First or the Second Chance Grant.
💡
Strategic Detail
State program, not a Cleveland State University award. Rules and amounts are set by the state and can change with each budget. Full details on the CollegeReadyParent OH page.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Children of veterans with a 60%-plus VA rating who apply during the May-to-May window before the age cutoff. The age limit is the trap: it is an application-age limit, not an enrollment-age limit, so a 24-year-old who waits loses it.
One award, not a pile. Colleges apply your student's single best automatic award. Automatic scholarships almost never stack with each other, though some stack with housing, departmental, or outside money. The stacking notes on each card tell you which.
Automatic
Freshmen Merit Scholarship
📅 Deadline: March 1 ✓ Renews (2 GPA, 4 yrs)
$2,000–$7,000/yr
✔ Stackable
Full-time, first-time freshmen starting in Summer or Fall. Open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with the $1,000 FAFSA Completion Grant and, for out-of-state students, the $2,850 CLE Gateway Grant. CSU's own math: up to $8,000 a year for Ohio residents and up to $10,850 a year for out-of-state students. Total aid cannot exceed cost of attendance, and tuition-only awards cannot exceed tuition.
💡
Strategic Detail
Every admitted full-time, first-time freshman is automatically reviewed for a merit award of $2,000 to $7,000 per year, based on cumulative high school GPA and ACT/SAT scores. CSU does not publish a GPA or score grid, so the exact amount first shows up in the award letter. These are CSU's published terms for Fall 2026 entry; Fall 2027 terms had not been posted as of September 2026. CSU's AcademicEdge page also says Ohio residents with a 3.0 cumulative GPA are guaranteed a scholarship, but that page is undated and the current Freshmen Scholarships page does not repeat it, so confirm with Allin1 Enrollment Services.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Every admitted full-time freshman gets reviewed. Higher GPAs and strong test scores push the award toward the $7,000 end. Students who have everything in by March 1 are first in line, and CSU warns that funds can run out before the deadline.
Automatic
FAFSA Completion Grant
📅 Deadline: February 15 ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
$1,000/yr
✔ Stackable
Admitted full-time, first-time freshmen starting in Summer or Fall. Open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with the Freshmen Merit Scholarship and the CLE Gateway Grant, subject to cost-of-attendance limits.
💡
Strategic Detail
A flat $1,000 per year for admitted freshmen who submit the FAFSA by February 15. Renewable for up to four years (eight semesters) while the student stays eligible. CSU ties its combined scholarship totals to filing by February 15 each year, so treat it as a yearly deadline. The Fall 2026 date was February 15, 2026; confirm the Fall 2027 date once CSU posts it.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Any admitted full-time freshman, Ohio resident or not, who files the FAFSA by February 15. Over four years it is the easiest $4,000 at CSU.
Automaticgeographic
CLE Gateway Grant
📅 Deadline: March 1 ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
$2,850/yr
✔ Stackable
⚠ Out-of-state (non-Ohio) freshmen only.
Admitted full-time, first-time freshmen from outside Ohio starting in Summer or Fall. Open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with the Freshmen Merit Scholarship and the FAFSA Completion Grant for up to $10,850 a year in CSU's own math, subject to cost-of-attendance limits.
💡
Strategic Detail
A flat $2,850 per year for every admitted out-of-state freshman, renewable for up to four years (eight semesters) and awarded automatically at admission. It offsets roughly half of the nonresident tuition premium.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Every admitted out-of-state freshman who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. No application and no cutoff beyond getting admitted.
Data last verified Sep 27, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
Note: CSU does not publish a GPA or test-score grid, so the merit amount first appears in the award letter. CSU’s own maximums: $8,000 a year ($32,000 over four years) for Ohio residents and $10,850 a year ($43,400) for out-of-state students. One older CSU overview page lists $40,000 for non-residents; the current Freshmen Scholarships page, whose numbers add up exactly, says $43,400.
Automatic Merit FAQs (Cleveland State University)
Does my student need to apply separately for merit scholarships?
No. Every admitted full-time, first-time freshman is reviewed automatically. The only extra step with money attached is filing the FAFSA by February 15.
How much merit will my student get?
Somewhere between $2,000 and $7,000 a year, based on cumulative high school GPA and ACT/SAT scores. CSU does not publish where the lines fall, so treat the Net Price Calculator and the award letter as your real answer.
CSU is test-optional. Should we still send scores?
If they help, yes. Admission does not require scores, but CSU says its merit review uses both GPA and ACT/SAT. A strong score gives the review one more reason to move your student toward the top of the range.
What is the FAFSA Completion Grant?
A flat $1,000 a year for admitted freshmen who submit the FAFSA by February 15, renewable for four years. It is not based on need, just timing. File every year by that date.
Do out-of-state students get anything extra?
Yes. The CLE Gateway Grant pays $2,850 a year to every admitted out-of-state freshman, automatically, for up to four years. It stacks with merit and the FAFSA grant.
Is there a guaranteed award for Ohio residents?
CSU’s AcademicEdge page says Ohio residents with a 3.0 cumulative GPA are guaranteed a scholarship. That page is undated and the current Freshmen Scholarships page does not repeat the promise, so confirm with Allin1 Enrollment Services (216.687.5411) before you build it into your budget.
How does my student keep the scholarship?
Complete at least 12 credit hours every fall and spring and keep a 2.0 cumulative GPA. Awards renew for up to eight semesters. An older CSU renewal page describes the rule as 24 credits by the end of each spring, so aim for 12 or more every term and you meet both versions.
Cleveland State does not publish a marquee full-ride competition. The most selective money is in two places: the Mandel Honors College (40 incoming scholarships, covered in the Honors section below) and Choose Ohio First for Ohio STEM students. The rest of this bucket is smaller donor awards, some of which do not even list an application, which is exactly why they go to the families who ask.
✅ Can You Stack Scholarships at CSU?
Aid Type
Stacks with Merit?
CSU Parent Translation
Merit + FAFSA Grant + Gateway Grant
Yes
Built to stack. CSU’s own math adds them together: up to $8,000 a year in-state, $10,850 out-of-state.
Choose Ohio First
Yes, with one exception
Stacks with merit and grants, but students who already hold a full-tuition scholarship are not eligible.
Mandel Honors Scholarships
Not published
CSU does not say whether Honors money adds to or replaces merit. Ask the Honors College in writing.
Donor Awards (Eaton, Moses Cleaveland, Van Ummersen, Plain Dealer)
Generally yes
One-time awards that sit on top of merit, up to the cost of attendance.
Outside Scholarships (Say Yes, UNCF, Point, etc.)
Yes, within limits
Must be reported to CSU. Total aid cannot exceed cost of attendance, and tuition-only aid cannot exceed tuition.
Big picture: at CSU, the reliable money is automatic and the competitive money is modest. The one exception worth planning around is Choose Ohio First. If your student is an Ohio resident headed into STEM with a 3.25 GPA (or an ACT 27 / SAT 1300), that is $2,000 to $5,000 a year on top of merit, for all four years.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Onlygeographicmajor specific
Choose Ohio First (STEM)
📅 Deadline: Application opens October 1 for Spring or Fall 2027 entry ✓ Renews (3.25 GPA, 4 yrs)
$2,000–$5,000/yr
✔ Stackable
⚠ Ohio residents in eligible STEM majors only.
🏫 3.3+ GPA👥 ~Limited by annual state funding winners/yr🎓 All UndergradOhio residents entering an eligible STEM major in arts and sciences, health, or engineering (for example biology, chemistry, math, physics, nursing, health sciences, computer science, and engineering). Needs any one of: 3.25+ high school GPA, ACT 27+, or SAT 1300+. Must have a current FAFSA and cannot already hold a full-tuition scholarship.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with CSU merit and need-based grants up to cost of attendance, but not with a full-tuition scholarship.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through CSU's Choose Ohio First page once the application opens October 1, declare an eligible STEM major, and keep the FAFSA current. Recipients must file the FAFSA by June 15 each year.
Selection criteria: Cohort-based evaluation of academic preparation, STEM interest, and, where relevant, financial need.
💡
Strategic Detail
Typical awards run $2,000 to $5,000 per year toward tuition, and every eligible scholar receives at least $2,000. Renewable for all four years with a 3.25 cumulative GPA, cohort activities, advising meetings, a work-based experience (internship, co-op, or research), and continued state funding.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Ohio STEM students with solid grades who apply soon after the October 1 opening. The ACT 27 or SAT 1300 path helps students whose GPA lands just under 3.25.
Automaticmajor specific
Richard Eaton Scholarship
📅 Deadline: March 1 Non-Renewable
$1,000–$9,448
✔ Stackable
⚠ Incoming freshmen interested in communication.
🏫 2.5+ GPA👥 ~Varies with available funding winners/yrNew incoming freshmen interested in communication, minimum 2.5 high school GPA, full-time enrollment.
✚
Stacking & Combining
One-time award. Can sit on top of CSU merit and grants, but total aid cannot exceed cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
$1,000 to $9,448 based on available funding, for new freshmen interested in communication who enroll full time. Non-renewable.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Incoming freshmen interested in communication with at least a 2.5 high school GPA. The top of the range ($9,448) is unusually large for a donor award, so it is worth asking about if your student is headed toward communication.
Automatic
Moses Cleaveland Scholarship
📅 Deadline: March 1 Non-Renewable
$500–$4,000
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.0+ GPA👥 ~Varies with available funding winners/yrIncoming freshmen with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.
✚
Stacking & Combining
One-time award. Can sit on top of CSU merit and grants, but total aid cannot exceed cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
Donor-funded tuition help from individuals and corporations in the Cleveland community for high school seniors showing academic achievement and promise for finishing a bachelor's degree. $500 to $4,000, non-renewable.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: High school seniors with at least a 3.0 GPA who show strong academic promise. Funded by Cleveland-area donors, so the number of awards changes with each year's funding.
Automatic
Claire A. Van Ummersen Scholarship
📅 Deadline: March 1 Non-Renewable
$500–$2,000
✔ Stackable
👥 ~Varies with available funding winners/yrNew freshmen in the top 10% of their high school class, or current CSU students with a 3.5+ cumulative GPA. Full-time enrollment required.
✚
Stacking & Combining
One-time award. Can sit on top of CSU merit and grants, but total aid cannot exceed cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
$500 to $2,000 based on available funding. Non-renewable. Also open to current CSU students with a 3.5 cumulative GPA.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Incoming freshmen who graduated in the top 10% of their high school class and enroll full time.
Data last verified Sep 27, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
❓ Flagship / Competitive Scholarship FAQs
Who qualifies for Choose Ohio First at CSU?
Ohio residents entering an eligible STEM major (sciences, math, nursing, health sciences, computer science, engineering) with any one of: a 3.25 high school GPA, an ACT of 27, or an SAT of 1300. A current FAFSA is required. The application for Fall 2027 opens October 1.
What does it take to keep Choose Ohio First?
A 3.25 college GPA, cohort activities, advising meetings, and a work-based experience such as an internship, co-op, or research. It also depends on continued state funding.
What is the Richard Eaton Scholarship?
A one-time award of $1,000 to $9,448 for incoming freshmen interested in communication with at least a 2.5 GPA. That top figure is large for a donor award, so if your student is leaning toward communication, it is worth a phone call to Allin1.
How do students apply for the Moses Cleaveland or Van Ummersen scholarships?
CSU’s pages list the criteria (3.0 GPA for Moses Cleaveland; top 10% of class for Van Ummersen) but no application or deadline. Have everything in by March 1 and ask Allin1 Enrollment Services how recipients are chosen.
Are any CSU scholarships full tuition or full ride?
Not in CSU’s published freshman scholarship lists. Army ROTC (see Hidden Gems) can cover full tuition, and Say Yes plus the Living Learning Community can cover tuition and two years of housing for eligible Cleveland students.
What should students prepare?
For Honors and Choose Ohio First, a clean activity list and a couple of strong short essays go a long way. Our Essay Toolkit and Brag Sheet Builder help organize both.
🧠 Parent Strategy: CSU Has No Scholarship Portal, So You Have to Ask
Many schools put every departmental award in one online application. CSU does not. The smaller awards here reach the families who pick up the phone.
Cleveland public school family? Start with Say Yes Cleveland and the Living Learning Community. Together they can cover tuition gaps and two years of room and board.
Call the department for your student’s intended major. Department awards run $500 to $9,448.
Plays an instrument or sings? Audition by March 15, even as a non-music major.
First-generation or Pell-eligible? Join TRIO Student Support Services early.
Report any outside scholarship to CSU’s financial aid office so it does not surprise you later.
Parent translation: automatic merit gets you in the door. The phone calls are what close the gap.
💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships
These awards are not automatic, but most stack with merit and several are aimed squarely at Cleveland-area students. Some need an audition, a separate program application, or a call to CSU.
App Requiredgeographicpipeline
CSU Living Learning Community (Community Scholars)
📅 Deadline: Application for 2027-2028 not yet posted (listed as coming soon) ✓ Renews (2 yrs)
Varies
✔ Stackable
⚠ Cleveland Metropolitan School District Say Yes Scholarship recipients only.
👥 ~Limited number of students each year winners/yrCleveland Metropolitan School District graduates who are Say Yes Scholarship recipients, admitted to CSU, and committed to full-time enrollment.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Covers housing and food, so it pairs with the Say Yes tuition scholarship and any CSU merit.
📄
How to Apply
Get admitted to CSU, commit to full-time enrollment, and apply through the Living Learning Community page. The 2027-2028 application was listed as coming soon in September 2026. Contact Nicholas Petty, Ph.D. (n.petty@csuohio.edu, 216-687-9307).
💡
Strategic Detail
Funded by the Parker Hannifin Foundation, The George Gund Foundation, and other Cleveland donors. Provides free room and board plus support services for the first two years, with a residential curriculum, graduation coaching, and wraparound support.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: A limited number of CMSD graduates who are Say Yes Scholarship recipients, admitted to CSU, and committed to full-time enrollment.
App Requiredgeographicmajor specific
Plain Dealer Charities Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Not published; contact Allin1 Enrollment Services Non-Renewable
$1,000–$2,500
✔ Stackable
⚠ Graduates of high schools in seven Northeast Ohio counties majoring in Journalism or Business Management.
🏫 3.0+ GPA👥 ~Varies with available funding winners/yrEntering freshmen who graduated from a high school in Cuyahoga, Lake, Geauga, Portage, Summit, Medina, or Lorain county, with a minimum 3.0 GPA and a planned major in Journalism or Business Management.
✚
Stacking & Combining
One-time award. Stacks with CSU merit and grants up to cost of attendance.
📄
How to Apply
CSU does not post an application or deadline. Call Allin1 Enrollment Services at 216.687.5411 or email allin1@csuohio.edu early in senior year to ask how to be considered.
Selection criteria: Donor or CSU selection committee review of need, academics, and essay responses.
💡
Strategic Detail
$1,000 to $2,500 based on available funding. Non-renewable.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Northeast Ohio students with a 3.0+ GPA headed into Journalism or Business Management. A narrow pool, which is exactly why it is worth a phone call.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Music Talent Scholarships
📅 Deadline: March 15 Non-Renewable
Varies
✔ Stackable
🎓 All UndergradIncoming freshmen, transfers, and current students of any major who audition and participate in School of Music ensembles.
✚
Stacking & Combining
CSU does not publish music-specific stacking rules. Total aid is capped at cost of attendance.
📄
How to Apply
Schedule an audition with the School of Music (music@csuohio.edu, 216-687-2033) for a February or March audition day, no later than March 15 before enrollment.
Selection criteria: Faculty evaluation of performance ability, potential, and contribution to ensembles.
💡
Strategic Detail
Talent-based awards given in return for ensemble participation. CSU does not publish award amounts or renewal terms. Audition days run in February and March; awards are decided in March and announced in April.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students who can play or sing at an ensemble level, including non-music majors, and who audition before the March 15 cutoff.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Academic Department Scholarships
📅 Deadline: Varies by department ✓ Renews
$500–$9,448/yr
✔ Stackable
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Can be combined with CSU merit and grants, but total aid cannot exceed cost of attendance and tuition-only aid cannot exceed tuition.
📄
How to Apply
There is no central portal. Use CSU's Scholarships by College and Scholarships by Major pages, then contact the department for your student's intended major directly about awards and deadlines.
Selection criteria: Department-level review focusing on academic performance, engagement, and alignment with donor criteria.
💡
Strategic Detail
$500 to $9,448 based on available funding. Eligibility is set by each college or department. CSU has no single scholarship portal for these awards.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students who contact their intended department directly and ask what is open. Many families never ask.
Full TuitionApp Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Army ROTC Scholarships
📅 Deadline: National Army ROTC scholarship cycle (see armyrotc.army.mil) ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Full Tuition
ROTC tuition/fees or room/board scholarship plus stipend
✔ Stackable
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Can often be combined with other aid, subject to Army rules and CSU's cost-of-attendance cap.
📄
How to Apply
High school students apply through the national Army ROTC scholarship process; students already in college can compete through the Cleveland Army ROTC program at John Carroll University. Recipients sign a service agreement.
Selection criteria: Army board review of academics, leadership, and physical fitness metrics.
✎ Essays🎤 Interview💌 Letters of Rec
💡
Strategic Detail
Cleveland State is a partner school of the Cleveland Army ROTC program hosted at John Carroll University. Army ROTC scholarships cover full tuition, or room and board in place of tuition for students who qualify, plus allowances for books and fees and a $420 monthly living allowance for ten months of each school year. Two-, three-, and four-year options exist.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students who meet Army academic and fitness standards and are committed to serving as commissioned officers after graduation.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Education AWAY/Abroad Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Varies by program; contact the Center for International Services and Programs Non-Renewable
$500–$1,200
✔ Stackable
🏫 2.5+ GPA🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Combines with federal, state, and CSU aid within the study abroad cost of attendance.
📄
How to Apply
Contact CSU's Center for International Services and Programs (216.687.3910, intlcenter@csuohio.edu) for the current application and deadlines, which are unique to each program.
Selection criteria: Review of academic standing, program fit, and quality of the student’s goals statement.
💡
Strategic Detail
The Education Away Scholarship pays roughly $500 to $1,200 per term for approved study abroad or exchange. Undergraduates need a 2.5+ GPA. The Mandel Honors College also offers up to $750 for eligible Honors students.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students with a 2.5+ GPA and a clear, approved study abroad or exchange plan who apply before their program's deadline.
Data last verified Sep 27, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
Money the college does not control. Federal programs, city promise funds, foundations, and employers. The college may help you apply, but someone else writes the check, and these almost always stack with the college's own awards.
Outside MoneyApp Requiredgeographicpipeline
Say Yes Cleveland Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Set by Say Yes Cleveland (see sayyescleveland.org) Non-Renewable
Varies
✔ Stackable
⚠ Cleveland residents continuously enrolled in a CMSD or partner charter high school from 9th grade through graduation.
Continuously enrolled in a CMSD or partnering charter high school from 9th grade through graduation, and continuously living in Cleveland over the same period.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Designed to close the tuition gap, so it works alongside federal and state grants and CSU aid. Eligible students can also apply for CSU's Living Learning Community, which covers room and board for two years.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through Say Yes Cleveland's scholarship application, linked from sayyescleveland.org/scholarships, and complete the FAFSA. Questions go to the Say Yes Scholarship Hotline at 216.454.5400.
💡
Strategic Detail
A tuition gap-closing scholarship usable at Ohio public universities including Cleveland State. Award size and renewal terms are set by Say Yes Cleveland, not CSU.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Cleveland students who stayed in a CMSD or partnering charter high school from 9th grade through graduation and lived in the city the whole time.
Outside MoneyApp Required⚠ All Undergrad Onlyneed based
TRIO-Student Support Services Grant Aid
📅 Deadline: No published date; contact TRIO-SSS ✓ Renews
Varies
✔ Stackable
⚠ First-generation and/or low-income students in the TRIO-SSS program.
👥 ~Limited to students served by CSU’s TRIO-SSS grant each year. winners/yr🎓 All UndergradFirst-generation (neither parent nor guardian has a bachelor's degree) and/or low-income students enrolled or accepted at CSU, U.S. citizens or permanent residents, with academic need as determined by TRIO-SSS.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Layered on top of Pell and other aid, within federal aid limits.
📄
How to Apply
Contact TRIO-SSS at trioadvising@csuohio.edu or 216-687-2402 after admission to apply to the program.
Selection criteria: Eligibility-based on federal TRIO criteria and program participation rather than competitive scoring.
💡
Strategic Detail
TRIO Student Support Services may provide grant aid to current SSS participants who receive Federal Pell Grants. CSU does not publish amounts. The bigger value is the advising and support that come with the program.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
First-generation or lower-income students who join TRIO-SSS early and stay active in the program.
Outside MoneyApp Required⚠ All Undergrad Onlyidentity basedexternal
UNCF & Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF)
📅 Deadline: Set by each program (see uncf.org and hsf.net) ✓ Renews
Varies
✔ Stackable
👥 ~Set nationally by UNCF and HSF; CSU has no fixed campus quota. winners/yr🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Outside scholarships must be reported to CSU. Total aid cannot exceed cost of attendance.
📄
How to Apply
Apply directly at uncf.org or hsf.net for programs that list CSU as an eligible school, then report any award to CSU's financial aid office.
Selection criteria: Varies by specific national program; typically considers GPA, financial need, leadership, and community service.
✎ Essays💌 Letters of Rec
💡
Strategic Detail
Both are on CSU's External Scholarship Sources list. Amounts, GPA rules, and deadlines vary by program and are set nationally by UNCF and the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, not by CSU.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
African American students applying through UNCF, or Hispanic/Latino students applying through HSF, with strong academics, campus or community involvement, and demonstrated financial need.
Outside MoneyApp Required⚠ All Undergrad Onlyidentity basedexternal
Point Foundation Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Set by the Point Foundation (see thepointfoundation.org) ✓ Renews
Varies
✔ Stackable
👥 ~Set nationally by the Point Foundation, not by CSU. winners/yr🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Outside scholarships must be reported to CSU. Total aid cannot exceed cost of attendance.
📄
How to Apply
Apply directly through the Point Foundation's national application at thepointfoundation.org, then report any award to CSU's financial aid office.
Selection criteria: National review focusing on academic excellence, leadership, and commitment to LGBTQ community service.
✎ Essays🎤 Interview💌 Letters of Rec
💡
Strategic Detail
Listed on CSU's External Scholarship Sources page. A national award run by the Point Foundation, which also provides mentoring and leadership development. Amounts and deadlines are set by Point, not CSU.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
LGBTQ students nationwide with strong academics, demonstrated leadership, and a commitment to community service who are selected through Point Foundation's competitive national review process.
Data last verified Sep 27, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
❓ Hidden Gems FAQ
What is Say Yes Cleveland, and does it work at CSU?
Say Yes is a tuition gap-closing scholarship for students who attended a Cleveland Metropolitan School District (or partnering charter) high school from 9th grade through graduation and lived in Cleveland the whole time. It can be used at Ohio public universities, including Cleveland State.
Is housing really free through the Living Learning Community?
For a limited number of CMSD Say Yes Scholarship recipients, yes. CSU’s Living Learning Community provides free room and board plus support services for the first two years. The 2027-2028 application was listed as “coming soon” in September 2026, so watch the page and apply the moment it opens.
Can a non-music major get a music scholarship?
Yes. CSU’s Music Talent Scholarships are open to students of any major in return for playing or singing in School of Music ensembles. Audition by March 15; decisions come in March and families hear in April.
How does TRIO help with money?
TRIO Student Support Services mainly provides advising and academic support for first-generation and lower-income students, and it may also provide grant aid to participants who receive Pell Grants. Contact trioadvising@csuohio.edu after admission.
Who is the Plain Dealer Charities Scholarship for?
Incoming freshmen from high schools in Cuyahoga, Lake, Geauga, Portage, Summit, Medina, or Lorain county with a 3.0 GPA, planning to major in Journalism or Business Management. It pays $1,000 to $2,500 one time. CSU does not post a deadline, so call Allin1 early in senior year.
Where do I find department scholarships?
CSU’s Scholarships by College and Scholarships by Major pages list where to look, but there is no single application. Contact the department directly and ask what is open for incoming freshmen and when.
Mandel Honors College at Cleveland State University
The Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel Honors College is CSU’s honors college, created in 2014 when a Mandel Foundation endowment turned the university’s honors program into its own college. It gives students small classes, close faculty contact, and a tight community inside a large urban university. Admission is separate and competitive: students apply to CSU and check the box for Honors, then complete the Honors application.
Typical Admit: Top 10% of class, or ACT 30 / SAT 1380 (holistic review)
Deadlines (Fall 2027): November 15, January 15, and March 15
Scholarships: 40 incoming-freshman awards, renewable for up to eight semesters with a 3.5 college GPA
Entry: Fall only, full time, the summer or fall right after high school
Honors College Scholarships
App Required
Mandel Honors College Scholarship
📅 Deadline: November 15 ✓ Renews (3.5 GPA, 4 yrs)
Varies
✔ Stackable
👥 ~40 incoming freshman scholarships winners/yrHolistic review. Honors students are typically in the top 10% of their class or have an ACT of 30 or SAT of 1380. Fall entry only; students must enroll full time the summer or fall after high school graduation.
✚
Stacking & Combining
CSU does not publish how Honors scholarships interact with automatic merit. Ask the Honors College in writing whether the award adds to or replaces the Freshmen Merit Scholarship.
📄
How to Apply
Apply to CSU (CSU application or Common App) and check the box to indicate interest in Honors, then complete the Mandel Honors College application. Submit by November 15 for the first round.
Selection criteria: Holistic review emphasizing GPA, curriculum rigor, leadership or service, and strength of essays and recommendations.
💡
Strategic Detail
CSU calls these "generous scholarships" but publishes no dollar amount. There are 40 incoming-freshman Honors scholarships, renewable for up to eight semesters with a 3.5 cumulative college GPA. CSU's Honors giving page says the Mandel endowment covers only about 20% of Honors scholarship needs, which is why the number of awards is limited.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students admitted to the Mandel Honors College through a holistic review who apply in the first round. With only 40 awards, applying by November 15 matters more than anything else.
Data last verified Sep 27, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
CSU describes Honors awards as “generous” but does not publish dollar amounts. Its Honors giving page says the Mandel endowment covers only about 20% of Honors scholarship needs; the rest comes from funds like the Michael and Joanne Schwartz Honors Endowment, which supports current Honors students.
Deadline Note: The Honors College lists three rounds (November 15, January 15, March 15), and its homepage says the Fall 2027 deadline is November 15. CSU’s financial aid page lists January 15. With only 40 scholarships, treat November 15 as the real deadline for Honors money.
What Honors Adds Beyond the Scholarship
Cleveland Clinic research: Honors highlights research partnerships with the Cleveland Clinic.
Graduate school fast track: Automatic admission to some CSU graduate programs, including CSU|Law and programs in the Levin College of Public Affairs and Education.
Honors-only spaces: A lounge and computer lab for Honors students.
Study abroad help: Up to $750 for eligible Honors students, on top of CSU’s Education Away Scholarship.
Honors College FAQs (Cleveland State University)
Is Honors admission automatic for high-GPA students?
No. It is a holistic review. Students apply to CSU, check the box for Honors interest, and complete the Honors application.
How many Honors scholarships are there?
CSU lists 40 incoming-freshman Honors scholarships. That is a small number, which is why applying in the November 15 round matters.
Does the Honors scholarship replace automatic merit?
CSU does not publish the answer. Ask the Honors College in writing whether the award adds to or replaces the Freshmen Merit Scholarship before comparing offers.
What GPA does my student need to keep it?
A 3.5 cumulative college GPA, with full-time enrollment. Awards renew for up to eight semesters.
Can out-of-state students apply?
Yes. Out-of-state Honors students also receive the automatic $2,850 CLE Gateway Grant.
Cleveland State’s biggest advantage is where it sits. The campus is in the middle of one of the country’s major health care cities, and CSU has built its strongest programs around that: health professions, pre-med pathways, research with the Cleveland Clinic, and a public affairs college with a national reputation for urban policy.
Nationally Known Program: Levin College of Public Affairs and Education: U.S. News ranked Levin’s graduate Urban Policy specialty No. 3 in the nation in 2026, the highest-ranked program of its kind in Ohio. For students drawn to cities, planning, or public service, that reputation is the draw.
Health Professions and Nursing: The College of Health offers the BSN (traditional, accelerated, and online) plus health science, exercise science, and communication sciences. CSU’s graduate Occupational Therapy program ranks No. 2 in Ohio. Nursing partners include University Hospitals, the Cleveland Clinic, and MetroHealth.
Pre-Med Pathway (NEOMED Early Assurance): CSU students can apply as sophomores or juniors for conditional admission and a reserved seat at Northeast Ohio Medical University. It takes a 3.4 overall and 3.4 science GPA, an MCAT of 506 or higher, and an Urban Health Certificate. This is an early-assurance pathway, not a combined BS/MD program.
Cleveland Clinic Research: A research partnership going back nearly 50 years, with over 100 Cleveland Clinic scientists holding CSU appointments and a summer lab research experience for biology and chemistry majors at the Clinic’s Lerner Research Institute.
Engineering with Paid Co-ops: The Washkewicz College of Engineering runs an optional co-op program where every placement is paid. Students typically start the summer after sophomore year, and co-op students often finish in five years, trading an extra year for real paychecks and experience.
Business: The Monte Ahuja College of Business is one of CSU’s largest colleges and plugs students into downtown Cleveland employers.
🔗 Official Cleveland State University Links
Use Cleveland State’s official pages below to confirm admissions details, scholarship terms, costs, and institutional data. Always rely on these pages for final deadlines and award rules.
Cleveland State is a school where the price is predictable, and that is rarer than it sounds. Tuition is locked for four years, full-time tuition is flat up to 18 credits, and the three automatic awards stack instead of competing with each other. An Ohio student who files the FAFSA on time can count on real money without writing a single essay, and every out-of-state student gets the Gateway Grant just for getting in.
The catch is timing. The best money at CSU goes to the families who move early: Honors by November 15, the FAFSA by February 15, and everything else by March 1. And if you live in Cleveland, Say Yes and the Living Learning Community can make CSU one of the most affordable four-year options in the state. Pair that with a campus sitting next to the Cleveland Clinic and a real pre-med pathway, and CSU deserves a closer look than its sticker price suggests.
Your kid did everything right. That does not mean the money follows.
Most families build a college list first and think about scholarships second, which is backwards. This free four-part series shows you where the money actually comes from, and how to build a list around it.
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