Kent State University Scholarships (2025–2026)
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- Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
- Automatic merit ranges and who typically qualifies
- Competitive and hidden-gem scholarships worth a look
- Honors perks and how to stack awards the smart way
When families start looking at Kent State, one of the first questions is simple: how much will this really cost, and what kind of scholarships can help bring the price down? As an Ohio public university, Kent State offers different prices for in-state and out-of-state students, plus automatic awards, Honors funding, and hidden gems like ROTC or study abroad support. This guide breaks it down in plain English so you can plan with confidence—don’t forget to also check the Ohio state aid page for grants and regional programs that can stack with Kent’s own awards.
💰 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.
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Achievement Award (Ohio Residents) | $1,000–$6,000/yr | Ohio resident, admitted freshman; based on GPA, rigor, and optional test scores | No | Yes (4 yrs, GPA/credit load required) | Typically students with ~3.3–3.8+ HS GPA; higher awards to ~3.6–3.8+ with strong rigor and ACT ~28+/SAT ~1300+ if submitted *estimate |
| President’s Achievement Award (Nonresidents) | $7,500–$13,000/yr | Non-Ohio resident, admitted freshman; GPA, rigor, and optional test scores | No | Yes (4 yrs, GPA/credit load required) | Top tier awards usually go to ~3.7–3.9+ GPA with rigorous coursework; ACT ~29–31+/SAT ~1350–1400+ if submitted *estimate |
| Founders Scholarship | $1,000–$2,000/yr | Admitted freshman; unweighted 4.0 GPA, priority to Honors College admits | No | Yes (see award letter) | Students with an unweighted 4.0 GPA, strong rigor, and often Honors applicants |
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 (reading + math) from one test date. They do not combine section scores across dates. Submitting scores is optional.
Are these scholarships renewable?
Yes. Most automatic awards are renewable for up to four years as long as the student maintains the required GPA and completes enough credit hours each year (details provided in the award letter).
Can automatic scholarships be stacked with others?
In many cases yes — especially with donor, departmental, or study abroad awards. However, some high-value awards (like ROTC tuition scholarships) may replace other tuition-based aid. Always confirm stacking in the official financial aid package.
What GPA and test scores usually win?
Awards are tied to GPA and rigor. Higher ranges (3.7+ GPA, ACT ~29+/SAT ~1350+) tend to receive the largest amounts, while students with ~3.3–3.6 GPAs often receive mid-tier awards. Exact thresholds vary each year depending on applicants and funding.
🏆 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? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
⭐ 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.
🎖️ 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? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honors Distinction Award | $2,000/yr | Admitted to Honors College | Yes — Honors application (priority Jan 15) | Yes (up to 4 years) | Students with ~3.7+ GPA, rigorous coursework, and compelling essays |
| Honors Study Abroad Scholarships | Varies ($500–$3,000 typical) | Honors students participating in Kent State study abroad programs | Yes — Honors College application | No | Honors students with strong academic standing who plan ahead for international programs |
| Honors Thesis Scholarships | Varies ($500–$1,000 typical) | Honors students completing a Senior Honors Thesis or Project | Yes — proposal required | No (one-time award) | Students advancing to thesis stage with faculty mentorship and clear project goals |
| Wick Poetry Center Honors Scholarship | Varies | Honors students submitting original poetry | Yes — poetry submission | No | Creative writing–focused Honors students with strong submissions in poetry |
Is admission automatic? No. Students must be invited to apply and complete the Honors application.
Does Honors add extra time to my degree? No. Honors requirements often overlap with Kent Core and major classes, so graduation stays on track if planned well.
Are there extra costs? No additional tuition, but Honors housing has its own rate. The perks (priority reg, mentorship, scholarships) usually outweigh the housing difference.
What deadlines matter? Invitations to apply go out Dec 1, and the priority application deadline is Jan 15 for Fall 2025. Separate deadlines apply for Honors thesis, poetry, and study abroad scholarships.
📎 Official Links
Final Thoughts
Kent State offers a mix of straightforward automatic scholarships and hidden gems that reward everything from ROTC service to poetry. For Ohio families, the in-state price paired with merit aid can make it a solid value, while out-of-state students may find that Kent’s scholarships help bring costs closer to home-state options. If your student is considering Honors, study abroad, or research, Kent has pathways to support those experiences too. The key is knowing where to look — and applying on time.
✅ Last updated: September 3, 2025