Unlocking Opportunities: A Guide to Maximus and Other Scholarships at The Ohio State University

Ohio State University is committed to making a world-class education accessible and affordable for talented students. By taking an innovative approach, the university has created more pathways to college for more students, providing more opportunities critical for student success. For incoming freshmen, a range of merit-based and need-based scholarships are available to help finance their education. These scholarships recognize academic achievement, leadership, service, and potential, rewarding students who demonstrate excellence in various fields.

Merit Scholarships for Incoming Freshmen

For the incoming class of 2026, Ohio State offers several merit scholarships for incoming first-year students entering the university fall semester of 2026 in recognition of outstanding academic achievements. A merit scholarship is financial aid that does not have to be paid back. Incoming first-year students to the Columbus campus compete for university-funded merit-based scholarships. International students are not eligible. These scholarships cannot be combined, except for the National Buckeye Scholarship. Award amounts and criteria are subject to change without notice. Scholarships have differing eligibility criteria and deadlines, so it is important that you read scholarship descriptions carefully.

To be automatically considered for most merit awards, applicants must apply to the university by the November 1 early action deadline. Some scholarships require additional steps or have different deadlines, so it’s crucial to review the specific details for each scholarship.

Filing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) by Ohio State's priority date (February 1) is highly encouraged for all students to receive consideration for the widest range of need-based scholarships, loans, grants and Federal Work-Study.

Ohio State uses superscoring, which means they use a student’s highest section scores from multiple test attempts so that your best overall score is considered. This approach allows students to showcase their best performance, easing the pressure of achieving a high score in a single test sitting.

Transfer students are not eligible for merit award consideration. While Ohio State does not participate in the National Merit Scholarship Program (administered by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation), many applicants who are National Merit Finalists prove to be strong candidates for the university-administered scholarships. The university will honor Corporate National Merit scholarships for students who accept admission to Ohio State.

Key Scholarship Programs at Ohio State

Maximus Scholarship

The Maximus Scholarship is one of the merit-based scholarships offered by Ohio State. While the specific award amount can vary (up to $13,500, totaling $54,000 over four years), it can be combined with the National Buckeye, Provost, or Trustees Scholarship, potentially offering significant financial support. It is offered to U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are highly competitive as demonstrated through grade point average, class rank (if available), rigor of high school curriculum, and ACT or SAT scores. Applicants who apply to the university by November 1 will automatically be considered.

To maintain eligibility for the Maximus Scholarship, recipients must be enrolled full time at Ohio State, be pursuing their first undergraduate degree, and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.2 by the time of evaluation. GPA is measured at the end of the second year and annually thereafter. Scholarships are renewable if the GPA is at or above the minimum standard.

President’s Ohio Scholarship Program

The President’s Ohio Scholarship Program recognizes students who earn a perfect ACT or SAT test score from a single test date with a full cost of attendance scholarship and a $5,000 supplemental award to support educational opportunities. This prestigious scholarship covers the full cost of attendance and provides a $5,000 enrichment grant for educational opportunities.

To be eligible, students must be new, first-year Ohio resident applicants to Ohio State’s Columbus campus who score a perfect ACT (36) or SAT (1600) test score on a single test date and submit all application materials, including a competitive application, official test scores and all other supporting materials by the November 1 priority deadline. The $5,000 enrichment grant is accessible after the first year of successful study and can be used to support enriching educational opportunities such as study abroad, research or other hands-on learning experiences. To maintain eligibility for the award package, students must be enrolled full time and maintain the GPA requirement for the University Honors Program or Ohio State Scholars Program, based on their program selection.

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Stamps Eminence Scholarship

The Stamps Eminence Scholarship is a highly selective program for undergraduate Honors students, offering a unique four-year journey of academic rigor, service, and leadership. The scholarship covers the full cost of attendance at Ohio State for eight semesters of full-time enrollment, plus an enrichment grant valued at up to $5,000 accessible after the first year of successful study. U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply.

The selection process involves three required steps: Apply for admission to Ohio State by the early action deadline of November 1, indicate interest in consideration for Honors or Scholars on the Common Application, and complete the separate Stamps Eminence Scholarship Application by November 10. Finalists are selected based on the strength of their Common Application, a separate Stamps Eminence Scholarship essay and a video introduction. Selections are based on outstanding academic potential, demonstrated commitment to service, and character. All majors are encouraged to apply.

To maintain eligibility, Eminence Scholars must maintain a GPA of 3.4 or 3.5 (based on program of study). GPA is reviewed at the end of the 1st year and annually thereafter. GPA's will not be rounded. Scholarships are renewable if the GPA is at or above the minimum standard.

Morrill Scholarship Program (MSP)

The Morrill Scholarship Program (MSP) offers scholarships and educational enrichment opportunities to academically talented students who are dedicated to scholarship, leadership, service and civic engagement. The Morrill Scholarship is awarded on a competitive basis to students admitted to the Columbus campus for the autumn semester following high school graduation. U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents of the United States are eligible. MSP seeks academically talented high school seniors who will contribute to and actively engage in scholarship, leadership, service and civic engagement on campus.

MSP offers three award levels: Distinction (the value of the cost of attendance), Prominence (the value of in-state tuition plus the nonresident surcharge for nonresidents), and Excellence (the value of in-state tuition for Ohio residents). To apply for MSP, indicate interest in MSP on your admission application and complete the MSP essay. Be sure to include leadership, service and civic engagement on the Activity List. It is strongly recommended that applicants meet the November 1 early action deadline.

Read also: Foundation Scholarship Details

To maintain eligibility, MSP recipients must maintain a GPA of 3.0. GPA is measured at the end of the second year and annually thereafter. Scholarships are renewable if the GPA is at or above the minimum standard.

Land Grant Opportunity Scholarship

The Land Grant Opportunity Scholarship is awarded to Ohio residents who are Pell-eligible and demonstrate significant need and academic merit. Each year, 176 Ohio students are awarded this scholarship, with an attempt made to award two students from each county. The scholarship covers the full cost of attendance.

Ohio residents who apply to the university, complete the FAFSA, and are Pell-eligible will automatically be considered. It is strongly recommended that applicants meet the November 1 early action deadline.

To maintain eligibility, Land Grant recipients must maintain a GPA of 3.0. GPA is measured at the end of the second year and annually thereafter. Scholarships are renewable if the GPA is at or above the minimum standard.

National Buckeye Scholarship

The National Buckeye Scholarship awards between $1,000 and $3,000 ($4,000-$12,000 four-year value). U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are highly competitive as demonstrated through grade point average, class rank (if available), rigor of high school curriculum, and ACT or SAT scores are eligible for this scholarship. Applicants who apply to the university by November 1 will automatically be considered.

To maintain eligibility, National Buckeye recipients must maintain a GPA of 2.5. GPA is measured at the end of the second year and annually thereafter. Scholarships are renewable if the GPA is at or above the minimum standard.

Additional Scholarship Opportunities

College of Arts and Sciences Scholarships

The College of Arts and Sciences centrally awards approximately $1 million in scholarships and grants to currently enrolled undergraduate students each year. Many Arts and Sciences departments also offer merit and need-based scholarships, as well as grants to support research, creative activity, and global education.

Department of Mathematics Scholarships

The Department of Mathematics offers scholarships to incoming freshmen who have demonstrated excellence in mathematics. The ideal candidate is one that loves math and goes beyond the classroom to learn mathematics. Students wishing to be considered for a scholarship will need to apply to the university by the early action deadline.

II-VI Foundation Scholarship

Of primary interest to the II-VI Foundation are students majoring in the fields of electrical engineering, chemical engineering, chemistry, physics, materials science engineering, mathematics, and mechanical engineering. New applicants must have and maintain a 3.3 cumulative GPA (unweighted for high school students) to be considered for the scholarship. Students entering their freshman year in college must also have a minimum SAT score of 1200 or a minimum composite ACT score of 26. Students who have already received a scholarship fall under the previous requirement of a minimum GPA of 3.2. However, meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee that you will be a recipient.

One unique aspect of the II-VI Foundation Scholarship is the requirement of nine (9) weeks, or 360 hours, of manufacturing-, engineering- or science-related experience in an industrial setting from October 1st through August 31st of the year in which the candidate applies for the scholarship.

General Eligibility and Renewal Requirements

As a merit scholarship recipient, it is your responsibility to know and understand the following eligibility requirements: You must be enrolled full time at Ohio State, you must be pursuing your first undergraduate degree, and you must maintain the minimum GPA requirement by the time of evaluation. If you meet the minimum GPA requirement by the time of evaluation, your scholarship will be renewed automatically for up to eight semesters. Other eligibility requirements may exist for specific programs and will be communicated to you.

University-administered scholarships are offered to new, incoming freshman as part of the admissions process. Attending another institution may cause a student to forfeit an Ohio State scholarship.

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