A Guide for Financial Aid and Scholarships

An informative look at YSU merit-based scholarships and federal funding resources.

Getting Started

  1. Apply for Admission
    1. The admission application process must be completed in order to be considered  for YSU scholarships, particularly YSU Freshman Scholarships for Excellence, and  to receive a financial aid package.
  2. Apply for an FSA ID and Password
    1. Students and FAFSA contributors will need to establish individual Federal Student Aid (FSA) IDs and Passwords at studentaid.gov. 
    2. FSA IDs and Passwords are required to electronically access and sign the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
  3. Complete the FAFSA
    1. The 2027-28 FAFSA will be available in October 2026 at studentaid.gov. The priority deadline for FAFSA is December 1 for new students and February 15 for continuing students. The YSU six digit school code is 003145

 

NOTE:

Students submitting a FAFSA can be selected for federal verification. Verification is a process that all universities receiving federal aid are required to complete. The purpose of verification is not to find fraudulent FAFSA applicants, but to find and correct common mistakes made during the filing of the FAFSA. All need-based aid packaging must be put on hold until a student provides the necessary information requested through the verification process, such as tax return transcripts. Please be sure to retain copies of all records – the federal tax returns, untaxed income statements, bank records, etc. – used to complete the FAFSA in case your record is selected for this review.

Freshman Scholarships for Excellence

ScholarshipValueCriteriaAutomatic RenewalDescription
First Opportunity
  • $1,000
  • $4,000 four years
  • 3.0 GPA
  • ACT 19 or SAT 990
  • Test Optional: GPA 3.0 - 3.49
  • 24 credit hours per academic year
  • Minimum 12 hours per term
  • 3.0 overall GPA

Incoming freshman scholarships recognize academic achievement of new high school graduates. These scholarships are automatically awarded to qualified first-year students who have been admitted to the university.

Full time enrollment is required for disbursement.

Red and White
  • $2,000
  • $8,000 four years
  • 3.0 GPA
  • ACT 22 or SAT 1110
  • Test Optional: GPA 3.5 - 3.89
  • 24 credit hours per academic year
  • Minimum 12 hours per term
  • 3.0 overall GPA

Incoming freshman scholarships recognize academic achievement of new high school graduates. These scholarships are automatically awarded to qualified first-year students who have been admitted to the university.

Full time enrollment is required for disbursement.

Deans'
  • $3,000
  • $12,000 four years
  • 3.5 GPA
  • ACT 25 or SAT 1220
  • Test Optional: GPA 3.9 and above
  • 24 credit hours per academic year
  • Minimum 12 hours per term
  • 3.0 overall GPA

Incoming freshman scholarships recognize academic achievement of new high school graduates. These scholarships are automatically awarded to qualified first-year students who have been admitted to the university.

Full time enrollment is required for disbursement.

President's
  • $4,000
  • $16,000 four years
  • 3.5 GPA
  • ACT 27 or SAT 1290
  • Test Optional: N/A
  • 24 credit hours per academic year
  • Minimum 12 hours per term
  • 3.0 overall GPA

Incoming freshman scholarships recognize academic achievement of new high school graduates. These scholarships are automatically awarded to qualified first-year students who have been admitted to the university.

Full time enrollment is required for disbursement.

Trustees'
  • $5,000
  • $20,000 four years
  • Valedictorian
  • Test Optional: N/A
  • 24 credit hours per academic year
  • Minimum 12 hours per term
  • 3.0 overall GPA

Incoming freshman scholarships recognize academic achievement of new high school graduates. These scholarships are automatically awarded to qualified first-year students who have been admitted to the university.

Full time enrollment is required for disbursement.

Martin Luther King Merit Award
  • $1,000
  • $4,000 four years
  • Graduate of local inner-city schools (to right)
  • 3.0 GPA
  • 24 credit hours per academic year
  • Minimum 12 hours per term
  • 3.0 overall GPA
This merit-based award is available to new high school graduates of the following local inner-city schools: Campbell Memorial • Cardinal Mooney Chaney • East • Farrell • John F. Kennedy • Niles McKinley • New Castle • Sharon • Struthers • Summit Academy • Ursuline • Warren G. Harding • Valley Christian • Youngstown Early College

 

Sokolov Honors College Awards

DescriptionMinimum CriteriaRenewalCombined Value
  • Students accepted for membership into the Sokolov Honors College may be considered for additional scholarships including: 
    • Tuition scholarships ranging from $1,000-3,000 (renewable for four years) 
    • Housing scholarships ranging from $1,000-3,000 (renewable for two years) 
  • Scholarships may be combined with Freshman Scholarships for Excellence. These Honors College scholarships are awarded to first-year students coming directly out of high school. 
  • Students meeting honors minimum criteria will be considered for up to the full amount. Students not meeting minimum criteria may still be eligible for a partial honors scholarship
  • ACT 26 or SAT 1240 † 
  • 3.5 GPA
  • 24 credit hours per academic year
  • Minimum 12 hours per term
  • 3.0 overall GPA
  • Honors tuition scholarships are estimated between $4,000 and $12,000 over four years.
  • Honors housing scholarships are estimated between $2,000 and $6,000 over two years.

 

Additional Scholarships

Transfer Student Scholarship

Transfer scholarships are available and offered through the generosity of the YSU Foundation. Transfer students are encouraged to apply early for financial aid and to observe the February 15 deadline for our transfer scholarships. Awards will be pro-rated if attending part-time (min 6 hours required).

ValueMinimum CriteriaRenewal

Transfer Level 2

  • $1,000
  • $3,000 for 3 years
  • 12 transfer hours
  • 3.0 GPA
  • 12 credit hours per academic year
  • 3.0 GPA

Transfer Level 1

  • $1,500
  • $4,500 for 3 years
  • 12 transfer hours
  • 3.5 GPA
  • 12 credit hours per academic year
  • 3.0 GPA

 

PHI THETA KAPPA Honor Society Scholarship

Scholarship Opportunity for Community College Transfer Students at YSU!

ValueMinimum CriteriaRenewal
  • $1,500 per year (split between fall and spring semesters)
  • Stackable on top of Transfer Scholarship (student will either receive a total of $2,500 or $3,000 per year with both transfer scholarships)
  • Must provide proof of active membership to Office of Undergraduate Admissions (e.g. membership card or certificate)
  • Must be enrolled in at least 6 or more hours (scholarship is pro-rated if less than full time)
  • Renewable for up to 3 academic years
  • 3.0 GPA

 

Academic Achievement Award (Current Students)

Current YSU students are awarded the Academic Achievement Award based on academic accomplishment. Awards will be pro-rated if attending part-time (min 6 hours required).

ValueMinimum CriteriaRenewal
  • $500 per academic year
  • $1,500 for 3 years, if renewed
  • 24 hours (at YSU)
  • 3.5 GPA
  • 12 credit hours per academic year
  • 3.5 GPA

 

*Please note, students receiving any Freshman Scholarships For Excellence are not eligible to receive the Academic Achievement Award as students cannot be awarded more than one scholarship through the Scholarships For Excellence Program.

Youngstown State University Foundation

With more than $425 million in assets, the YSU Foundation, Youngstown State University’s philanthropic arm, is the largest endowment of any public university in Northeast Ohio, providing more than $13 million in scholarships for YSU students every year.

The Youngstown State University Foundation is an independent, nonprofit organization that supports student scholarships, student development, and career opportunities. 

To learn more and to apply for private donor scholarships through the YSU Foundation, visit ysufoundation.org.

 

Additional Federal & State Programs

Financial aid is awarded in four basic forms: scholarships, grants, loans and employment. Scholarships and grants are gift aid and do not require repayment. Loans require repayment.

  • Federal Pell Grant**
  • Ohio College Opportunity Grant**
  • PA State Grant**
  • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant***
  • Federal Work Study***
  • Federal Loan Programs
  • Alternative Loans
  • Veterans Administration Education Assistance
  • Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation Awards
  • Ohio War Orphans Grants
  • Ohio National Guard Grants
  • Governor’s Merit

You must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2027-28 aid year to be considered for many of these programs.

**These awards are restricted to students who have not attained a first bachelor’s degree.

*** Funding may be limited or unavailable based on federal funding budget approvals.

 

How Much is College Going to Cost?

Bachelor’s Degree Penguin Tuition Promise 2026-2027 Full-time (12–18 credit hours) Fall & Spring Semesters

2026 - 2027In-StateOut-Of-State
Annual Tuition$11,717.28$11,717.28
Non-Resident Tuition Surcharge$0.00$360.00
Total Cost (Commuter**)$11,717.28$12,077.28
Annual Room & Board$12,000.00$12,000.00
Housing Application Fee$35.00$35.00
Total Cost (Resident**)$23,752.28$24.112.28

 

YSU’s new Penguin Tuition Promise assures students a fixed tuition and room/ board rate for four years to pursue a bachelor’s degree. That makes costs predictable and affordable.

* Tuition and fees for students outside of Ohio are only $360 a year higher than for Ohio students. 

Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships:

  • Office Hours: Monday-Friday; 8:00 am-4:30 pm
  • Walk-in Hours: Monday-Thursday; 10:00 am-12:00 pm and 2:00 pm-4:00 pm at Penguin Service Center. Virtual Walk-ins are also available during these times.
  • Appointment Hours: Monday-Friday; 8:30 am-4:00 pm
  • Phone: 330.941.3505
  • Website: ysu.edu/finaid
  • Email: ysufinaid@ysu.edu

 

YSU Resources:

  • Office of Admissions: 330.941.2000
  • Penguin Service Center: 330.941.6000

 

YSU Digital Resources:

 

Federal Resources and Information:

  • Federal Student Aid: studentaid.gov
    • FAFSA
    • Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID and Password
  • Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC): 800.4.FED.AID (800.433.3243)
  • IRS tax return transcript request: irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript or 800.908.9946

 

 

Financial Aid Timeline for 2027-2028

December 1, 2026New Student Deadline for filing the FAFSA (studentaid.gov) for priority consideration. 
January 4, 2027YSU's Spring Semester begins. 
February 15, 2027

YSU starts awarding need-based aid to New Students.

Need-based aid includes Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), and Federal Work Study Program. To be considered, your 2027-2028 FAFSA must be complete. If you are selected for verification, this process must be finalized. Continuing Student Deadline for filing the FAFSA (studentaid.gov) for priority consideration.

March 1, 2027YSU starts awarding need-based aid to Continuing Students. Need-based aid includes Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) and Federal Work Study Program. To be considered, your 2027-2028 FAFSA must be complete. If you are selected for verification, this process must be finalized.
May 1, 2027 To be considered for a PA State Grant, your FAFSA results must be received and processed by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency. 
May 10, 2027YSU’s Summer Semester begins.
August 23, 2027 YSU’s Fall Semester begins. Bills for Fall Semester are due approximately August 31, 2027. 
October 1, 2027 To be considered for an Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG), your FAFSA results must be received and processed by the Ohio Board of Regents.

If you missed the December 1st for new students or the February 15th for continuing students
priority dates for filing the FAFSA and you have not yet submitted the FAFSA, do not delay! It is not too late to file; you may still be eligible for other forms of financial aid.