Financial Aid Resources

Resources to Assist with College Expenses

When paying for college, there are various funding options available to families which include federal aid and scholarships.  The application process for aid is time-sensitive. In some cases, aid is awarded on a first-come, first-serve bases due to limited availability. Adherence to due dates and accuracy of required information will increase the likelihood for award consideration.

FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID

Each year beginning October 1^st students and parents can begin completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Completing this application is required in order to be considered for various federal grants and loans. It is critical that students complete their FAFSA early so they may be considered for the maximum financial aid award possible. Some aid is awarded on a first-come, first-serve bases due to limited availability. Below are details regarding each of the federal aid programs your student could be eligible to receive:

• Federal Pell Grant
  A federal grant program, Pell Grants ranging from $582 to $5920 for the academic year are available to eligible students. The amount of an individual student's grant depends upon the student's financial need, cost of attendance, and enrollment status. Awards are limited to the 1st undergraduate degree. https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/types/grants-scholarships/pell
  

• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)
  Federal grants ranging from $100 to $4000 per academic year are awarded to students with exceptional financial need. A student with exceptional financial need is determined as one who qualifies for Pell Grant funds. https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/types/grants-scholarships/fseog
• Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG)
  State-funded grants per academic year are available to Ohio residents who demonstrate financial need. A student with exceptional financial need is determined as one who qualifies for Pell Grant funds.

• Federal Direct Loans
  A subsidized loan is awarded on the basis of financial need. You will not be charged any interest before you begin repayment or during authorized periods of deferment. The federal government "subsidizes" the interest during these periods.

  An unsubsidized loan is not awarded on the basis of need. You'll be charged interest from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full. If you allow the interest to accumulate while you are in school or during other periods of nonpayment, it will be capitalized-that is, the interest will be added to the principal amount of your loan and additional interest will be based upon the higher amount.   https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/types/loans/subsidized-unsubsidized

• Federal Direct PLUS Loans
  PLUS loans are federal loans that parents of dependent undergraduate students can use to help pay for college or career school.    https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/login.action

• Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program
  The TEACH Grant provides up to $4,000* per year in grants for graduate and undergraduate students in specified majors who intend to teach full-time in high-need subject areas for at least four years at schools classified as serving low-income students.

  https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/types/grants-scholarships/teach

  *While the TEACH Grant Program was originally funded at annual $4,000 awards, the federal budget has adjusted the amounts that could be awarded students within subsequent timeframes.

• Federal Work-Study
  Federal work-study provides part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. The program encourages community service work and work related to the student’s course of study.

  https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/types/work-study

• TRiO Student Support Services
  Grant Aid Award Guidelines

  The following criteria will be followed when considering a participant’s eligibility for grant aid. The TRiO SSS Participant must:

  1. be receiving the PELL grant and have unmet need and/or loans
  2. be a freshman and/or sophomore*
  3. be actively involved in the CSU TRiO SSS
  4. have completed at least one semester as a full-time student and accumulated at least 12 credit hours
  5. have used SSS activities/services for at least three times the previous semester – or six times the previous year (for 1-full year participants)
  6. have a minimum semester and cumulative GPA of at least 2.25, including “Cs or better, and no Incompletes

  *          Upperclassmen may be considered for the award on a case-by-case basis if funds allow
  Note: The total amount of grant aid awarded a student each year must not exceed that student's cost of attendance.

• “Type of Federal Student Aid” Resource Links

  ·         Types of Aid https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/types

  ·         Video from the U.S. Department of Education Office of Federal Student Aidhttps://youtu.be/Pn4OECMTh5w

INSTITUTIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS

Central State University offers scholarships in the categories of merit, leadership, and talent.

• Merit scholarships are awarded on an annual basis. Students could be eligible for these scholarships based on meeting a minimum GPA requirement, Incoming Freshmen and Transfer Scholarships start at a minimum 2.7 GPA and Continuing/Upperclassman Student Scholarships start at a minimum 3.0 GPA. Some scholarships are renewable based on students maintaining GPA and credit hour requirements. There are additional scholarships offered by academic departments each year. Students should consult their college office to determine available scholarship offerings.

• Leadership Scholarships are awarded to students based on participation/hold various student leadership roles on campus. The scholarship criteria and amounts vary based on the leadership position. These scholarships include: Resident Advisor (RA) Scholarship, ROTC Scholarship, Mr. and Ms. Central State University Scholarship, and Student Government Association Scholarship.

• Talent-based Scholarships are awarded to eligible students who are part of Intercollegiate Athletics, the Invincible Marching Marauders (including auxiliaries), and the CSU Chorus. Students are required to tryout/audition for considered of scholarship. Additional criteria may vary based on the department.

Students are made aware via their MyCSU emails, residential hall meetings, advisor meetings, flyers, etc. regarding various opportunities for scholarships.