Kent State University Scholarships (2025–2026)
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- Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
- Automatic merit and competitive scholarships
- Out-of-state tuition discounts and Ohio award programs
- Honors College benefits and full-tuition opportunities
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~87%
- Middle 50% ACT: 20–26
- Middle 50% SAT: 1030–1240
- Average HS GPA (middle 50%): 3.4–3.9
Source: Kent State University Common Data Set 2024–25 and BigFuture overview. Middle 50% = range where half of admitted students fall.
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
Kent State University at a Glance
Last verified: October 10, 2025
Kent State University combines a classic Midwestern campus with a strong record of affordability. Automatic merit scholarships are awarded to both in-state and out-of-state students, with some top applicants earning full tuition through competitive programs like the President’s Achievement Award.
With broad academic offerings, a robust Honors College, and additional Ohio grant programs, Kent State remains one of the best values among large public universities in the Midwest — especially for high-achieving students looking to lower overall cost without sacrificing quality.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes — Kent State is test-optional through 2026 and considers GPA, class rank, and rigor for both admission and merit review.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 20–26; SAT: 1030–1240 (for students who submitted scores).
What’s the average net price? About $18,013/year after aid. See our Net Price & SAI guide.
Does this school use reciprocity or OOS waivers? Kent State offers tuition discounts to select out-of-state students through academic merit and regional partnerships; no formal reciprocity agreements.
https://www.kent.edu/admissions (Admissions page)
https://www.kent.edu/financialaid/scholarships (Scholarships page)
https://www.kent.edu/honors (Honors College)
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/kent-state-university (BigFuture overview)
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?203517-Kent-State-University= (College Scorecard)
https://reports.kent.edu/cds/ (Common Data Set)
💰 Cost of Attendance at Kent State University
| Expense | Ohio Resident | Non-Resident |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees (12–18 credits) | $13,445 | $23,590 |
| Housing (standard double) | $8,350 | $8,350 |
| Meal Plan (Blue) | $5,570 | $5,570 |
| Books & Supplies (allowance) | $1,200 | $1,200 |
| Travel (allowance) | $2,668 | $2,668 |
| Personal (allowance) | $2,094 | $2,094 |
| Total (before aid) | $33,327 | $43,472 |
Who qualifies? Kent Campus students do not receive MSEP or border-rate tuition breaks. Only some regional campuses extend these offers to PA and WV students.
How much could you save? At Kent Campus, none—out-of-state students pay the full $23,590 tuition/fee rate. At certain regional campuses, savings equal the nonresident surcharge (several thousand per year).
Is it automatic? Regional-campus reciprocity is automatic based on residency. No separate application is needed.
https://www.kent.edu/financialaid/estimated-costs (University COA page)
https://www.kent.edu/financialaid/scholarships (Scholarships page)
https://reports.kent.edu/cds/ (Common Data Set 2024–25)
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/kent-state-university (College Board BigFuture)
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?203517-Kent-State-University= (College Scorecard / NCES)
https://highered.ohio.gov/initiatives/access-affordability/msep (Ohio Department of Higher Education – MSEP Overview)
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Achievement Award (Ohio Residents) | $1,000–$6,000/yr | Ohio resident, admitted freshman; GPA, rigor, and optional test scores | No | Yes (4 yrs, GPA/credit required) | ~3.3–3.8+ GPA, higher awards for ~3.6+ and strong rigor; ACT ~28+/SAT ~1300+ if submitted | July 3 priority date |
| President’s Achievement Award (Nonresidents) | $7,500–$13,000/yr | Non-Ohio resident, admitted freshman; merit-based on GPA, rigor, optional test scores | No | Yes (4 yrs, requirements) | ~3.7–3.9+ GPA, rigorous coursework, ACT ~29–31+/SAT ~1350–1400+ if submitted | July 3 priority date |
| Founders Scholarship | $1,000–$2,000/yr | Admitted freshman; unweighted 4.0 GPA, priority Honors | No | Yes (see award letter) | Unweighted 4.0 GPA, strong rigor, often Honors admits | July 3 priority date |
Awards are automatic with admission if you qualify. Kent State is test-optional; scores are considered if submitted. GPA/test cutoffs above are estimates based on past patterns—actual thresholds vary by year and applicant pool.
Automatic Scholarship FAQ
Do I need to apply for these scholarships?
No. If your student is admitted by the July 3 priority date, they are automatically considered for Kent State’s Academic Achievement Award, President’s Achievement Award, or Founders Scholarship.
Does Kent State superscore the ACT or SAT?
No. Kent State uses your single highest ACT composite or SAT total from one test date. Submitting scores is optional.
Are these scholarships renewable?
Yes. Most automatic awards are renewable up to four years, provided GPA and credit minimums are met (details in award letter).
Can automatic scholarships be stacked?
Often yes, especially with donor/departmental awards. Large tuition-based awards may replace others. Confirm in your financial aid package.
What GPA and test scores win?
Higher scholarships go to higher GPA/rigor ranges (3.7+), ACT ~29+, SAT ~1350+. Each year’s applicant pool may shift thresholds.
https://www.kent.edu/financialaid/scholarships
https://www.kent.edu/admissions
https://www.kent.edu/honors
https://www.kent.edu/financialaid/scholarships-faq
🏆 Competitive Scholarships
Kent State does not currently list any major university-wide competitive scholarships beyond its automatic merit awards. Most selective opportunities are tied to the Honors College (covered later) or to donor/departmental funds in the ScholarshipUniverse portal.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kent State does not publish any central competitive scholarships at this time. | ||||||
Where should my student look instead? Competitive opportunities mainly live in the Honors College or through ScholarshipUniverse donor/departmental awards, which often require essays or recommendations.
Do these stack with automatic merit? Yes, many departmental awards can be added on top of automatic merit, though always confirm in your official aid package.
https://www.kent.edu/financialaid/scholarships
https://scholarshipuniverse.kent.edu
https://www.kent.edu/admissions
https://www.kent.edu/honors
🎖️ Honors College
Kent State’s Honors College is designed for students who want smaller classes, faculty mentorship, and the chance to take on a thesis or capstone project. Admission isn’t automatic — students are invited to apply if they meet the GPA threshold, and the essays matter. For many, Honors is a way to make a big public university feel more personal while unlocking extra perks.
High school GPA of 3.7+ with rigorous coursework (AP, IB, or CCP), leadership roles in clubs or service, and a strong essay that shows intellectual curiosity.
Honors perks include priority registration, Honors-only housing (Stopher and Johnson Halls), small seminar-style classes, faculty mentorship, undergraduate research funding, and Honors-specific scholarships.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honors Distinction Award | $2,000/yr | Admitted to Honors College | Yes — Honors app (priority Jan 15) | Yes (up to 4 years) | ~3.7+ GPA, rigorous coursework, and compelling essays | Jan 15 priority |
| Honors Study Abroad Scholarships | Varies ($500–$3,000 typical) | Honors students in study abroad | Yes — Honors College app | No | Honors students with strong record and study plans | Varies |
| Honors Thesis Scholarships | $500–$1,000 (one-time) | Honors students completing a Senior Thesis/Project | Yes — proposal required | No | Dedicated Honors students advancing to thesis with faculty support | Proposal deadline per program |
| Wick Poetry Center Honors Scholarship | Varies | Honors students submitting original poetry | Yes — poetry submission | No | Creative Honors students with notable poetry submissions | Spring (poetry deadline) |
Is admission automatic? No. Students must be invited to apply and complete the Honors application.
Does Honors add extra time? No. Requirements can overlap with Kent Core and major classes, so graduation stays on track.
Extra costs? No extra tuition, but Honors housing is priced separately. Most say the perks outweigh any difference.
Deadlines? App invites begin Dec 1, priority by Jan 15. Separate deadlines for thesis, poetry, abroad.
https://www.kent.edu/honors/scholarships
https://www.kent.edu/honors
https://www.kent.edu/financialaid/scholarships
https://www.kent.edu/admissions
⭐ College Specialty
Kent State may not always make the national headlines, but it has a few programs that stand out in Ohio and beyond. For families who want their student to graduate with a degree that carries weight in the job market, it’s worth knowing where Kent truly shines. These areas aren’t just about rankings — they come with labs, partnerships, and pipelines that can open real doors.
- Aviation & Aeronautics: Kent State operates its own airport and flight training facilities, making it one of the few public universities in Ohio with a full professional pilot program.
- Liquid Crystal & Materials Research: The Advanced Materials & Liquid Crystal Institute (AMLCI) is internationally recognized for research in display technology and advanced materials.
- Education & Health Professions: Kent State is one of the largest producers of teachers and health professionals in Ohio, with a strong statewide reputation for education majors and nursing graduates.
- Journalism & Mass Communication: The College of Communication and Information has been nationally noted for its student media and public relations training programs.
Note: Kent State is classified as an R2 Research University (High Research Activity), which means students have meaningful research opportunities, especially in STEM and health fields.