Housing Scholarship & Grant Opportunities

There are several Housing scholarships at YSU that can make your residential experience more affordable.  Please see below for a comprehensive list, including information about each scholarship and the managing office or department contact information:

Returner Housing Scholarship

The Returner Housing Scholarship is a Housing & Residence Life–funded award designed to recognize and support students who continue their residential experience in a University-owned and -managed residence hall.  This award provides up to $1,000 per academic year (up to $500 per semester) to eligible returning residents who have previously completed a housing contract and who remain in good academic and conduct standing with the University. This scholarship may be stacked with other Housing scholarships. The scholarship may be awarded for multiple years, as long as the student continues living in a residence hall and maintains eligibility. This award does not apply to University managed apartment-style housing, including University Courtyards or Weller House.

Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Returner Housing Scholarship, students must be in:

  • Good academic standing (2.0 cumulative GPA or higher), and
  • Good conduct standing with no active sanctions impacting eligibility.
    • Students must be enrolled full-time, unless an exception is granted by the Director of Housing for students nearing graduation.
    • Completion of the FAFSA is not required; both domestic and international students are eligible.
    • The scholarship applies only to residence hall room and board charges. It cannot be applied to a meal plan alone, nor can it be used by students residing in University Housing–managed apartments (e.g., Weller House, University Courtyards).

Award Process
Following move-in and the start of classes, Housing & Residence Life will notify the Office of Financial Aid of returning residents who are eligible to receive this scholarship.  Scholarship in the amount of up to $500 per semester will be applied directly to the student’s existing residence hall room and board charges. If a student already receives housing aid that fully covers their balance, the scholarship will not generate a refund. To support tax compliance, Housing & Residence Life will also identify international students as part of the awarding process.

Honors Housing Scholarships

The YSU Sokolov Honors College offers housing scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 to qualifying domestic and international Honors College students. These awards are renewable for up to two years.
One year of scholarship eligibility is designated for use in residence halls only, and one year of eligibility is available for use in residence halls or University Courtyard Apartments.

International Student Housing Scholarship

Youngstown State University offers a one-time housing scholarship for first-year, incoming undergraduate international students (F-1 visa holders).
Eligible students will receive a $1,000 housing scholarship per semester, applied directly to their room and board costs during their first year at YSU.

  • Students beginning in the fall semester may receive up to $2,000 total (fall and spring semesters).
  • Students beginning in the spring semester may receive $1,000 total (spring semester only).

This scholarship is automatically applied and does not require a separate application. It is available only during your first academic year at YSU.

Club Sports Housing Experience Scholarship

Campus Rec offers a Club Sports Housing Experience Scholarship annually for up to 30 students who live on campus and actively participate in a club sport. To qualify, students must be active members of a recognized club and complete five community service hours with Campus Recreation. The scholarship provides $1,000 per semester toward housing costs.
For more information and application, visit: Club Sports | YSU
Managing department for this scholarship: Campus Recreation | YSU

Athletics Housing Scholarships

Athletics awards student-athletes with varying levels of athletic scholarships, which may include amounts above the cost of tuition and fees that are permitted to be used towards on-campus housing, on an annual basis.  All student-athletes should refer to the YSU Athletics Housing Policy (located in the YSU Student-Athlete Handbook) for questions regarding housing requirements for student-athletes. 
For more information, please connect with YSU Athletics Youngstown State University - Official Athletics Website

Housing Grants

The Housing Grant is a need-based Housing grant provided to students who are planning to live in YSU Housing & Residence Life managed options- the Residence Halls or the University Courtyard Apartments. A 2026-2027 FAFSA is required and must be received by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships prior to completion of the application. The deadline to submit the Housing Grant Application for incoming freshmen is February 1 and for continuing students February 15.
To access the Housing Grant Application form, please visit: Housing Grant Application
Have Questions? Contact Financial Aid at 330-941-3505 or scholarships@ysu.edu

Housing Excellence Award

YSU Marching Pride students are eligible for a Marching Band Housing Excellence Award valuing up to $2,000 ($1,000/semester) and renewable once (for up to $2,000). The Marching Band Housing Excellence Award may only be combined with the need-based University Housing Grant. 
For additional information, visit Housing Excellence Award | academics.ysu.edu or contact the Athletic Band Staff | academics.ysu.edu