The OHIO Admission Promise for Fall 2026

The OHIO Admission Promise applies to any of our programs that operate on general University admission requirements. Several academic programs have more selective requirements or competitive selection processes, in addition to general University admission. If you apply to one of our more selective programs, you would be eligible for general admission and the $2,000 renewable award under the OHIO Admission Promise while your application is reviewed holistically for your desired program. 

Yes, of course! Even if you don’t qualify for the OHIO Admission Promise, we look forward to receiving your application. Through our holistic review process, you will receive a careful and thorough review of your application, including any optional materials you choose to submit, such as test scores, an essay, or letters of recommendation. We care about all the ways you can show you are academically prepared to attend college.

The OHIO Admission Promise Award is renewable for up to four consecutive years of undergraduate study (two semesters per year) and requires enrollment in a minimum of 12 credit hours each semester. For renewal, recipients must maintain an »¨¼¾´«Ã½ cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 and file the FAFSA annually by the published first-priority deadline. Consult our Completing the FAFSA page for the most up-to-date information on OHIO's first-priority date.

OHIO's approach to financial aid and scholarships includes generous merit-based scholarships, supportive need-based grants and awards that blend both merit- and need-based criteria. The application for admission serves as the application for merit-based scholarships. All incoming first-year students who apply by the Early Action Deadline, November 15, 2025, and earn admission will be considered automatically for scholarships. Applicants who submit a complete application, including the application form and all required supporting materials, after November 15, 2025, are considered for all University scholarships, as availability permits.

Awarding is based heavily on high school performance, with test scores considered only if available and favorable to the applicant. To be considered for the need-based awards, the results of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be received by OHIO's first-priority date, January 15, 2026. Students may be considered for need-based aid on a rolling basis after the priority date. »¨¼¾´«Ã½'s federal school code is 003100.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) serves as the application for all federal, state and institutional financial aid at »¨¼¾´«Ã½. The FAFSA is not required for many merit-based scholarships at OHIO, but students must file a FAFSA each year to be eligible for the renewable $2,000 OHIO Admission Promise Award.

Filing the FAFSA is simply your application for federal, state and institutional aid at »¨¼¾´«Ã½. While filing a FAFSA is required to be considered for the $2,000 OHIO Admission Promise Award, you don't have to have financial need to be eligible for that scholarship. Families are not obligated to accept any other types of financial aid that might be offered, including loans.

International freshman applicants to degree programs may be considered for admission under the OHIO Admission Promise; additional English language proficiency requirements must be met. Eligibility for the OHIO Admission Promise Award is limited to students who are eligible to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students on F-1 or J-1 visas are not eligible to file a FAFSA.

This program is for freshmen, but transfer applicants who are ready for a change in their higher education plans are welcome to apply to OHIO and will be reviewed in accordance with our transfer admission guidelines and will be eligible for consideration for our transfer scholarship programs.

Yes, some restrictions apply. To ensure the integrity of the selective admission process, the success of our students and the safety of our community, OHIO reserves discretion to review selected applications holistically in some circumstances. For example, applicants who present non-standard high school credentials, including mastery or narrative transcripts, and those presenting concerning or anomalous academic indicators, such as a severe downward grade trend or insufficient credits, will be reviewed holistically. OHIO may withhold admission where insufficient evidence of academic preparation exists. Applicants must be in good standing at their high school and, if they’ve participated in dual enrollment, must be eligible to return at all institutions previously attended. 

The OHIO Admission Promise Award may not be combined with some University scholarships, full-tuition Educational Benefits, or any other award valued at full in-state tuition.

The OHIO Admission Promise is only offered on the Athens campus, but the OHIO Regional Promise Award for fall 2026 offers a free degree to qualified students with a minimum 3.0 GPA at any OHIO regional campus. In addition, the One OHIO Scholarship is available for Regional Promise Award recipients who wish to relocate to Athens after at least one year at the regional campus.

The OHIO Admission Promise applies to fall 2026 applicants at this time. We’ll share more information about application requirements for the 2027 application cycle next year.