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 choose to continue their residential experience in University-owned and managed housing, including the residence halls, Weller House Apartment Community, and University Courtyard Apartment Community.

The scholarship provides up to $1,000 per academic year (up to $500 per semester) to eligible returning residents who have previously fulfilled a housing contract or lease and remain in good academic and conduct standing with the University. This award may be combined with other Housing & Residence Life scholarships and may be renewed annually, provided the student continues to reside in University housing and maintains eligibility requirements.

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

  • Maintain good academic standing, defined as a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
  • Remain in good conduct standing with no active disciplinary sanctions that would affect scholarship eligibility.
  • Be enrolled full-time, unless an exception is approved by the Director of Housing & Residence Life for students nearing degree completion.
  • Reside in a University-owned or managed housing community, including the residence halls, Weller House, or University Courtyard.
  • Have previously completed a housing contract or lease within a University Housing community.
  • Be a domestic or international student. Completion of the FAFSA is not required for consideration.

Award Process
Scholarship award of up to $500 per semester will be applied directly to the student's housing charges. 

The scholarship is intended to offset existing housing costs and will not result in a refund when other housing-specific financial assistance already covers the student's full housing balance.

To ensure compliance with applicable tax regulations, Housing & Residence Life will also provide the Office of Financial Aid with information regarding international student recipients during the award process.

Penguin Priority Scholarship -NEW, starting Fall, 2027.

Award Description
The Penguin Priority Scholarship is a Housing & Residence Life-funded award designed to recognize and support students who commit to an official University Housing option (Residence Halls, Weller House Apartments, or University Courtyard Apartments) for an academic-year contract or lease by February 1. Eligible students may receive up to $1,000 per academic year (up to $500 per semester) upon completing an academic-year housing application, signing their contract or lease, and making the required $250 pre-payment by the February 1 deadline.

Eligibility Criteria
To qualify, students must:

  • Complete an academic-year Residence Hall contract, Weller House contract, or University Courtyard lease and make the $250 pre-payment by February 1.
    • University Courtyard Apartment Lease Takeovers and students who sign the Residence Halls Spring-Only contracts are not eligible to receive this award.
  • Be enrolled full-time, unless an exception is approved by the Director of Housing for students nearing graduation.
  • FAFSA completion is not required.
    • Both domestic and international students are eligible.

Award Process
Awards of up to $500 per semester will be applied directly toward eligible housing charges. If a student already receives sufficient housing assistance to cover their housing balance, the scholarship will not generate a refund. Housing & Residence Life will also identify international students during the award process to support any necessary tax compliance requirements.

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

The Y-STAR Scholarship

The YSTAR Scholarship is funding provided through the Youngstown Foundation to Youngstown City Schools graduates* (East, Chaney, and Youngstown Rayen Early College, Wilson Alternative and Virtual Academy) to attend YSU. To learn more about this award, please visit: YSTAR Program | YSU