Scholarships
Scholarships are "free money" generally awarded based on merit and are not paid back. Additionally, any scholarship that you receive may reduce or replace the self-help (loan or work-study) portion of your aid package.
You must notify the Student Financial Aid Office of any scholarships you receive that are not already listed on your financial aid award offer.This notification requirement includes scholarships offered by non-UC agencies and foundations. Students should also be aware of the terms of each scholarship offered and the limits of receiving large or multiple awards.
Take the time to review key scholarships for incoming freshmen and transfer students as well as the chart below to discover scholarships you might receive. Because most scholarships are based on the admission process, for maximum scholarship consideration, incoming freshmen should have a complete admission application by December 1st, and transfer students should apply by April 30th.
Program |
Description |
Consideration Criteria |
Amount |
Application |
UC-based funds |
Brightest and most promising freshmen based on each academic program will be offered scholarship awards at multiple levels |
Ranges from $1,500 annually up to full tuition, room and board, and a book allowance; renewable for length of undergraduate program |
Application for admission, transcript, official test scores (when required), and recommendation must be received by December 1st; additional information sent to incoming students who meet criteria |
|
| Marian Spencer Scholarship | UC-based funds | Top 10% students in each Cincinnati Public School (CPS) who exemplify the Spirit of Spencer | Full tuition, room and board, and a book allowance plus exclusive programming; renewable for length of undergraduate program | Invitation sent to incoming CPS students who meet criteria; complete application for admission by December 1; participation in information session and successful completion of interview process |
UC-based funds |
Incoming community college transfer student; member of PTK (or equivalent honor society); 3.75 GPA; up to 4 awards annually; see note below |
$6,000 annual award renewable for a second year with a 3.2 UC GPA |
Application for admission and transcript for fall semester by April 30th |
|
UC-based funds |
Community college transfer student; 3.0 GPA; up to 50 awards annually; see note below |
$2,500 annual award renewable for a second year with a 3.0 UC GPA |
Application for admission and transcript for fall semester by April 30th |
|
UC-based funds |
Cincinnati State associate degree graduate admitted via Pathways program; 3.0 GPA; see note below |
$2,500 annual award renewable for a second year with a 3.0 UC GPA |
Application for admission via Pathways program |
|
UC-based funds |
Incoming freshman from an underrepresented group; academic performance |
Value of in-state tuition, fees, and book stipend; renewable for length of undergraduate program |
Application for admission, transcript, official test scores (when required), and recommendation must be received by December 1st; additional information sent to incoming students who meet criteria |
|
UC-based funds |
Incoming freshman from select geographic area charged full non-resident fees |
Varies; funds awarded if not awarded other funding directed at non-resident fees |
Application for admission, transcript, official test scores (when required), and recommendation must be received by December 1st; 3.85 weighted or 3.5 unweighted high school GPA at the time of application |
|
UC-based funds |
Incoming freshmen or current UC student with at least two years left in a full-time baccalaureate degree at the start of the fall semester when their cohort begins; academic performance and demonstrated potential for cross-disciplinary innovation and impact |
Full tuition, some supplemental educational expenses, exclusive programming; renewable for length of undergraduate program |
Invitation sent to incoming freshmen that meet criteria; current UC students can complete application (see "student application information") made available each spring; finalists will be invited to interview or participate in a team-based innovation activity as part of the selection process |
|
College Scholarship |
UC-based funds |
Varies |
Varies |
Most awards are made based on admission file or, for returning students, academic record; students can check with the dean's office of their UC college or, after being admitted, use UC search tool |
UC-based funds |
Lineal descendant (child or grandchild) of a UC graduate who is a Loyal Bearcat Society or William Howard Taft Society donor of the UC Alumni Association; based on academic achievement, service and leadership |
Varies |
Application for admission, transcript, official test scores (when required), and recommendation must be received by December 1st; additional information sent to incoming students who meet criteria |
|
Graduate Incentive Award (GIA) and Graduate Assistant Scholarship (GAS) |
UC-based funds |
Graduate student; further criteria varies by program |
Varies |
Through individual graduate program of study |
UC-awarded state funds |
Incoming Ohio freshman entering into engineering, sciences and allied health, mathematics with a focus in actuarial science, medical sciences, or nursing; full-time enrollment |
$1,500 to $5,000 |
Application for admission, transcript, official test scores (when required), and recommendation must be received by December 1st; limited awards determined by college of eligible academic program |
|
Ohio War Orphans Scholarship |
State funds |
Undergrad child of a deceased or severely disabled veteran who served in wartime or Desert Storm/Shield conflict; full-time enrollment |
Adjusted annually based on funding levels |
Through the Ohio Department of Higher Education (888/833-1133) by July 1 for upcoming academic year |
Notes:
- Scholarships (except GIA, GAS, and some College) are limited to students who do not have a bachelor’s degree.
- "Renewable for length of undergraduate program" is for 8 full-time, in-class semesters of consideration assuming the scholarship program's renewal criteria are met.
- Students are responsible for knowing the UC scholarship limits and terms of any awarded scholarships.
- Eligibility criteria subject to change; maximum amounts are estimates and dependent upon sufficient funding.
- Early FAFSA application means limited funding; awards are made on a first-come, first-serve basis until funding is depleted.
- Transfer scholarships require completion of associate degree within 2 years prior to transfer; transfer must be directly from degree-granting branch campus or community college to a UC uptown campus, baccalaureate program.
Scholarship Search
Incoming students as well as continuing students should always search scholarships. While many scholarships can be designated for incoming freshmen, other opportunities are designed to support transfer students or upperclass students. You should therefore continue your scholarship process throughout your college career.
Once you have been admitted to UC, you can use your log-in credentials to search scholarship at https://uc.scholarshipuniverse.com/.
Do any scholarship search with caution as some persons or scholarship providers may provide help or guidance at a cost. Follow suggested tips any time someone asks you for money to assist in your scholarship or aid process.
It takes some ongoing research to find scholarship opportunities, but it can be worth the effort and time required.