Here it is, seniors – that glimpse of certainty you’ve been looking for. Because you’ve worked hard and proven that you’re prepared for the challenge and opportunity a college education offers, we’re making you this promise: If you earn a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average, you’re in — and we’ll help with the cost of college*.
Get in. Get financial support.
Get started on your path to success.
Through the OHIO Admission Promise, qualifying fall 2025 applicants can receive automatic general University admission to the Athens campus.
And we’re taking that promise even further by offering, at minimum, a renewable $2,000 OHIO Admission Promise Awardwhen we receive your FAFSA results by the first-priority date.
We are all about excellence. We’re also about opportunity.
We want our doors to be open to students who have the drive and the dedication to persevere through obstacles to achieve their unique goals. We know from countless alumni success stories that the support and opportunity we offer will be with you not just for four years, but for life. That’s the OHIO Admission Promise.
OHIO Honors and Scholars opportunities and other selective programs
We offer one of the nation's most engaging honors experiences in our prestigious Honors Tutorial College, an Office of Nationally Competitive Awards, a robust OHIO Honors Program available to all majors, the 1804 Scholars program, and several top-ranked competitive academic programs, some with additional selective admission requirements . And of course, we invest in our students through other generous merit- and need-based scholarships, too.
You are more than a GPA. Let us take a look!
We know that every student is different, so our holistic review option allows applicants with any GPA to be considered individually for admission, and we invite all interested students to apply. We promise to take a careful look at your full application. Many applicants choose to submit optional supporting materials, such as an essay, test scores, or a recommendation letter, to demonstrate how they’re prepared to succeed.
OHIO options close to home
Each regional campus already offers automatic admission to students who earn a high school diploma or equivalent and affordable tuition. The OHIO Regional Promise Program offers a free degree to fall 2025 incoming full-time, Pell-eligible freshmen with a minimum 3.0 high school GPA, and the One OHIO Scholarship to complete a degree on the Athens campus. From Athens to Zanesville, and every campus in between, an excellent Ohio University experience is within your reach.
What is considered a "strong college prep curriculum"?
Applicants must earn a minimum of 21 credits at the college-prep level or above to be eligible for the OHIO Admission Promise.
- 4 units each of English and math (including Algebra II or above)
- 3 units each of science and social studies
- 2 units of foreign language
- 1 unit of visual or performing arts
- 4 additional electives
Applicants who have pursued a different curriculum are welcome to apply and will be reviewed holistically.
President's Opportunity Promise Award
An expansion to the OHIO Admission Promise, the President's Opportunity Promise Award for Fall 2025 is part of our ongoing commitment to access and affordability, and our commitment to serving the students of our region. This award will make it possible for qualifying Pell-eligible students in Athens County and all contiguous Ohio counties to attend Ohio University tuition-free. The scholarship will cover remaining Athens campus in-state tuition and mandatory fees after subtracting a student’s Pell Grant and other federal, state and institutional gift aid.
OHIO Excellence Awards
A set of scholarships and grants designed to recognize the resilience, accomplishments, and diverse contributions of the fall 2025 entering first-year class, the OHIO Excellence Awards program underscores OHIO's commitment to support our students from admission through graduation and beyond.
Which academic programs or majors are eligible for the OHIO Admission Promise?
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.
Can I still apply if I don’t have a 3.0 GPA?
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.
What are the requirements to renew the OHIO Admission Promise Award?
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 Ohio University 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.
How do I apply for scholarships and aid in addition to the OHIO Admission Promise Award?
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 application deadline of November 15, 2024, 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, 2024, 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 University by the first-priority date of February 15, 2025. Students may be considered for need-based aid on a rolling basis after the priority date. Ohio University's federal school code is 003100.
What is the FAFSA?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) serves as the application for all federal, state and institutional financial aid at Ohio University. 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.
If filing the FAFSA qualifies me for financial aid, including loans, do I have to accept the aid?
Filing the FAFSA is simply your application for federal, state and institutional aid at Ohio University. 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.
Are international freshman applicants eligible for the OHIO Admission Promise?
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.
Are transfer applicants eligible for the OHIO Admission Promise?
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.
Are there exceptions to the OHIO Admission Promise?
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.
Is the OHIO Admission Promise available at OHIO’s regional campuses?
The OHIO Admission Promise is only offered on the Athens campus, but the OHIO Regional Promise Award for fall 2025 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.
Does the OHIO Admission Promise apply to fall 2026 or beyond?
The OHIO Admission Promise applies to fall 2025 applicants at this time. We’ll share more information about application requirements for the 2026 application cycle next year. Join our mailing list to stay informed!
Program restrictions apply. Subject to change
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