Scholarships

The YSU Foundation, with an endowment of over $321.5 million, is committed to providing this "edge of excellence" for the University and the students it serves. The Foundation, whose sole purpose is to benefit Youngstown State University, provides more than $11 million in scholarship assistance annually for its students. Students must submit the YSU Undergraduate Admission Application (with transcripts) by February 15 to be considered for scholarships through the Scholarships for Excellence Program at Youngstown State University. With the exception of the University Honors College Application, there are no other application forms needed for YSU's Scholarships for Excellence. Students cannot be awarded more than one scholarship through the Scholarships for Excellence program.

Test Optional Scholarship Awards

Test optional merit-based scholarships will be awarded to incoming freshmen students admitted under YSU's test optional admission policy. Scholarships will range in value from $1,000-$3,000 through the Freshmen Scholarships for Excellence program. Additional $1,000 to $3,000 test optional merit-based scholarships may be awarded to Honors College applicants who qualify for Sokolov Honors College. For More information.

Freshman Scholarships for Excellence

Incoming freshmen scholarships recognize the academic achievements of new high school graduates. These scholarships are automatically awarded to beginning first-year students who have been admitted to the University. Full-time enrollment is required for disbursement.

• $1,000
• $4,000 four years

• 3.0 GPA
• ACT 19 or SAT 990 †

• 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

• $2,000
• $8,000 four years

• 3.0 GPA
• ACT 22 or SAT 1110 †

• 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

• $3,000
• $12,000 four years

• 3.5 GPA
• ACT 25 or SAT 1220 †

• 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

• $4,000
• $16,000 four years

• 3.5 GPA
• ACT 27 or SAT 1290 †

• 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

• $5,000
• $20,000 four years

• Valedictorian

• 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

• Merit awards up to $1,000 per academic year

• Graduate of local inner-city schools (to right)
• 3.0 GPA
• ACT 19 or SAT 990 †

• 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

  † Composite for critical reading and math score only

  Sokolov Honors College Awards - (Incoming Freshmen)

  Qualified recipients of these awards become part of the prestigious Honors College. Tuition scholarships ranging from $1,000-$3,000 and housing scholarships from $1,000-$3,000 may be awarded and combined with Freshman Scholarships for Excellence. Applicants will also be considered for the full-ride Leslie H. Cochran University Scholarship. These Honors College scholarships are awarded to first-year students coming directly from high school. Recipients become part of the University Honors College, which may include:

  • Honors College membership
  • Honors housing
  • Participation in specially planned on- and off-campus events
  • Community service projects planned and coordinated by University Honors
  • Early course registration
  • Students accepted for membership into the Sokolov Honors College may be considered for additional scholarships:
    • Tuition scholarships ranging from $1,000-$3,000 (renewable for four years)
    • Housing Scholarships ranging from $1,000-$3,000 (renewable for two years)
    • 26 ACT or SAT combined Math, Verbal and Writing 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.

    If applying to Honors as a high school candidate, all application materials must be submitted by February 15. A completed application will include both an Application for Admission to YSU and the Honors College application.

    Transfer Scholarships

    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 prorated if attending part-time (minimum 6 hours required).

    Special note for mid-year transfer students: If you have a Federal Pell Grant, YSU's six-digit code must be listed as one of your college choices on the FAFSA to have your aid transferred. If not, update your FAFSA to include YSU's code (003145). If you had a Stafford or PLUS loan, you will have to reapply. You will also need to cancel any pending disbursements (if any) on the loan you had at your previous school by contacting your previous school's financial aid office.

    • $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)
    • 12 Credit Hours per Academic Years
    • 3.0 GPA
    • Not available for new freshman who may be PTK members

    Academic Achievement Award - (Current Students)

    Current YSU students are awarded the Academic Achievement Award based on academic accomplishment. Award will be prorated if attending part-time (minimum of 6 hours required).

    **Current students who have received any of the above 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.**

    Miscellaneous Scholarships

    YSU students should submit the YSU Foundation Scholarship Application and visit the online scholarship search to research miscellaneous, college and departmental level scholarship opportunities.

    Athletic Scholarship Endowments

    Click to view athletic scholarship endowments at Youngstown State University.

    International Housing Scholarships

    Any incoming, undergraduate F-1 or J-1 student who is enrolled as a full-time YSU student is eligible for International Housing Scholarship in the amount of $2,000 total, a one-time award for Fall and Spring if you choose to live in the YSU Residence Halls on campus including Cafaro, Lyden, or Kilcawley House. You will receive this scholarship only if you live in one of the residence halls named above. If you choose to live off campus, you will not receive this scholarship. If you are admitted to the YSU Sokolov Honors College and receive one of their housing awards, then you are not eligible for this scholarship. If you have successfully registered to live on campus and join YSU, this scholarship will be automatically awarded to your student account in the amount of $1,000 in the Fall semester and $1,000 in the Spring semester. Graduate students are not eligible to receive this scholarship.

    Housing scholarships awarded to students who are nonresident aliens require tax reporting and withholding. The withholding rate for students present under a F-1 or J-1 immigration status is 14%. Scholarships paid to any other immigration status are subject to 30% withholding. When the scholarship is paid through your student account, the tax is charged to your student account. Recipients of taxable scholarships will receive a year-end tax form, IRS Form 1042-S no later than March 15 of the following calendar year. This form will then be used to file a tax return with the Internal Revenue Service by April 15. Please contact controllersoffice@ysu.edu with any questions.

    To apply to live on campus at YSU, complete the housing application found on the Housing and Residence Life website. For more information about the International Housing Scholarship, please visit Housing for International Students.

    Have Questions?

    Contact Financial Aid 330-941-3505 (phone)
    330-941-3506 (appointment)
    330-941-1659 (fax)
    Meshel Hall, 203