Admissions
Scholarships and Financial Aid at Ohio State
Scholarships are awarded to students based on academic merit. Financial aid is available to students who demonstrate financial need, and scholarships and other grants may be awarded based on talent, leadership ability, or exceptional circumstances such as an illness in the family. International students are eligible for scholarship support from Ohio State’s Office of International Affairs (OIA).
Financial aid is also available for graduate students through OSU’s Office of Graduate Studies and Research; however, there are some differences between undergraduate and graduate financial assistance programs
Online Programs
Online programs are available for all majors and are designed to accommodate the schedules of students who cannot attend a traditional campus. Online programs are also popular among those who want to earn a degree while working or serving in the military.
If you’re interested in an online program, you must apply separately from students who apply for on-campus admission. The application process will differ depending on whether or not you’ve been accepted into Ohio State before:
- If this is your first time applying for admission as an undergraduate student at Ohio State University (OSU), please visit here [Apply Now](https://admissions.osu.edu/undergrad/apply) page, where we will walk through all steps necessary before applying through our Common Application portal.
- If this isn’t your first time applying, but you want more information about registering as an adult returning student, please visit our [Returning Students](https://adultreturningstudents@osu)
Undergraduate Admissions
Ohio State is one of the largest universities in the country, with over 60,000 students. It’s a public university located in Columbus, Ohio. It has been consistently ranked among the top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report for nearly two decades–and it’s not hard to see why!
Ohio State has been named a “Best College” by Princeton Review every year since 2005; its undergraduate programs have an average graduation rate of 95%, which is higher than any other school on our list (and it boasts an impressive 97% retention rate).
Graduate Admissions
Admission requirements for graduate programs are the same as those for undergraduates, with one exception: you’ll need to have completed at least one year of undergraduate coursework before applying. If you’re applying to a master’s program and don’t meet this requirement, you can take some courses at OSU while working on your bachelor’s degree (if they’re offered). In addition to these minimum requirements, applicants must submit official transcripts from every college or university attended; letters of recommendation from professors and employers; personal statements explaining why they want to attend OSU; resume(s) highlighting their professional experience; GRE scores (or GMAT scores if applying for business school); TOEFL scores if applicable; proof of financial support if not already provided through federal aid programs such as Stafford loans or Pell grants.
Admissions Requirements
- It would help to have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in high school or the equivalent.
- The ACT or SAT is required for all applicants. If you took the ACT, it would use your highest composite score from multiple tests taken within 24 months of applying. If you took the SAT, it would use your highest combined score from multiple tests taken within 24 months of applying (no superstores).
- You must complete at least four years’ worth of core academic courses with a grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or better on a 4-point scale by your senior year in high school: English and writing (two years), mathematics (three years), science (two years), social studies/history (one year), foreign language (two years). If it doesn’t appear on this list, it’s not considered part of our core curriculum; however, if we receive an application without those five requirements but still believe they could contribute positively to our applicant pool, then we may invite them for an interview during which time we’ll discuss any missing requirements and determine whether this would be beneficial for both parties involved before asking them back again next year when they’re ready!
- Students should also include recommendations from teachers/advisors who know them well enough to write about their character traits such as honesty/integrity etc.as well as extra-curricular activities like sports teams or clubs where they’ve shown leadership skills.”
How to Apply
You can apply to Ohio State University online or with a paper application. The application deadline is December 1st, and there is no fee to use. You can only apply once during each admissions cycle. Still, you can submit applications as early as October 1 of the previous year (for example, an application submitted on October 1, will be considered for admission in spring).
If you are not sure if OSU is right for you, there are several ways that students can learn more about our university before making a final decision about which school best fits their needs:
- Visit campus for one of our Open Houses! These events include tours led by current students and staff members who share what makes Ohio State so unique;
- Attend one of our information sessions held throughout the year at various locations across central Ohio;
- Attend any of our summer programs where participants live together on campus while taking classes taught by top professors worldwide–and become friends with people who share similar interests!
Students who want to apply for early Decision must submit their application between November 15 and November 30
Early Decision is a binding application process that allows students admitted to OSU to enrol in the fall semester. Students may apply early decision if they want to be considered for financial aid or have a specific major in mind and want to ensure their admission into that program.
If you’re planning on applying for Early Decision, here’s what you need to know:
- Applicants must be admitted by the university (admission is not guaranteed).
- Applicants must submit their application between November 15 and November 30.
Cost of attendance
The cost of attendance is the total amount you will pay to attend Ohio State. It includes:
- Tuition and fees
- Housing and meal plans (if applicable)
- Books and supplies (if applicable)
- Personal expenses include clothing and toiletries, transportation to/from campus, entertainment, medical expenses not covered by your insurance plan, etc.
The following table outlines these costs for the academic year
Honors Institute and Scholars Program
Honors Institute. The Honors Institute is a selective learning community for high-achieving students interested in developing leadership skills, connecting with faculty and peers, and participating in research opportunities. Students accepted into the program can earn an undergraduate degree in as few as three years by taking advantage of its accelerated curriculum, including small classes and professors’ personal attention. Scholars Program. The Scholars Program is another learning community at Ohio State University that offers structured learning opportunities for academically gifted first-year students who want to build their skills before starting college coursework full-time (eighth semester). Students accepted into this program may receive scholarships worth up to $12,000 per year; grants related to living expenses while attending school; access to mentorship programs; financial aid counselling services; an honours seminar class taught by faculty members from various disciplines offered during each semester (including summer sessions); access to special events hosted by university departments such as athletics or health sciences; free transportation around campus via shuttle buses running routes between residence halls during peak hours (before 5 pm); discounted food options at dining halls across campus.
