Scholarships: Questions and Answers

Impact Due to COVID-19

Changes and Scholarships

Can I keep my scholarships if I take all online courses or if my classes are all remote?

For Kent Campus scholarships, as long as the student has at least 12 credit hours in Kent Campus courses, they will be permitted to use their tuition scholarship, regardless of whether the courses are online or in person. Scholarships may be adjusted if the total of your scholarships exceed tuition. Regional Campus students need to reach out to the Financial Aid Office at their campus to inquire how enrolling online may affect their scholarship offer. If your scholarship was awarded by another department, you will need to reach out to that office with your question.

What will happen to my scholarship offer if i defer admission to the spring?

For Kent Campus scholarships, if you choose to defer your admission to Kent State University to the spring semester, your incoming first-year student four-year renewable scholarship offer will also be deferred to the spring semester. You will receive a one-semester scholarship allocation and spring will be counted as your first semester of eligibility. Regional Campus students need to reach out to the Financial Aid Office at their campus to inquire how deferring to spring may affect their scholarship offer. If your scholarship was awarded by another department, you will need to reach out to that office with your question.

What will happen to my scholarship offer if I defer admission to next fall?

For Kent Campus scholarships, if you make the choice to defer your admission to Kent State University until the fall, your current incoming first-year student scholarship offer will no longer be available to you. You will be evaluated for scholarships based on Kent State’s scholarship eligibility criteria for the upcoming year. This criteria will not be available until the fall. Regional Campus students need to reach out to the Financial Aid Office at their campus to inquire how deferring to fall may affect their scholarship offer.

What will happen to my scholarship if I choose to attend another college after high school graduation and then transfer to Kent State?

For Kent Campus scholarships, if you attend another college or university after graduating from high school and prior to coming to Kent State, you will no longer be considered an incoming first-year student and will not be eligible to receive your incoming freshman scholarship offer. Instead, you will be considered an incoming transfer student and will be considered for one of our transfer scholarship awards. Information on transfer scholarships is available at https://www.kent.edu/financialaid/scholarships-transfer-students. Regional Campus students need to reach out to the Financial Aid Office at their campus to inquire how attending another college may affect their scholarship offer.

What will happen to my Kent campus scholarship if I go to a regional campus?

Kent Campus incoming first-year student scholarships cannot be used at a Regional Campus. If you begin full-time enrollment at a Regional Campus, you will forfeit you Kent Campus incoming freshmen scholarships and they cannot be reinstated at a future date.

Many Kent Campus scholarships require that you enroll a minimum of 12 credit hours in Kent Campus designated courses each semester. Please refer to the stipulations associated with your specific scholarship award. This information is often available on your FlashLine account by following the directions below. You can also contact the One Stop for Student Services for more information.

  • Login to your FlashLine Account at www.kent.edu
  • Select Student
  • Under Finances, choose Financial Aid
  • Select Financial Aid Awards
  • Choose the current Award Year from the drop-down menu and click the Submit button
  • Click on Award Overview tab
  • Click on the name of each scholarship and carefully read the fund message for that award

What will happen to my scholarship if I withdraw from classes?

If you drop a class during the add/drop period and you are no longer enrolled full-time, your scholarship will be cancelled for that semester, if full-time enrollment is a requirement for that scholarship. If you withdraw from a class after the add/drop period, your scholarship will not be adjusted unless you completely withdraw from all courses. If you completely withdraw from all courses, your scholarship could be prorated to match tuition assessment. For example, if you withdraw from all courses during the 80% tuition refund period, your scholarship could be reduced to equal 20% of the original scholarship award for that semester. Contact the College or department who awarded the scholarship for specific details.

Any time you withdraw from a course, your future scholarship eligibility could be in jeopardy. Many renewable scholarships require students to earn a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester to be eligible to receive the award for the next academic year.

Housing and Dining Scholarships

What happens to my room scholarship if I will not live on campus until the spring?

Your room scholarship will be deferred to the spring semester.  You will receive a one-semester scholarship allocation and spring will be counted as your first semester of eligibility.

What will happen to my room or board scholarship if I leave campus EARLY?

If you leave campus or if the campus shuts down, prior to the end of the semester, your housing and dining plan charges may be prorated. If that happens, your room and board scholarships will be prorated by the same amount.

Can I use my room and/or board scholarship if I live off campus?

Room scholarships can only be used to pay room charges incurred from living in University-owned housing during the semester in question. If the student chooses to live off-campus, they will forfeit their room scholarship.

Board scholarships can only be used to pay charges incurred from selecting a University board (dining) plan. Off-campus students can register for a dining plan and therefore retain their board scholarship. If the student chooses not to select a board plan, they will forfeit their board scholarship.

General FAQS

Finding and Applying for Scholarships

How do I apply for scholarships at Kent State University?

Incoming First-Year Students

Students who will attend the Kent Campus should complete the Undergraduate Application for Admission and apply to the Kent Campus of Kent State University no later than March 1, to ensure that you are considered for the automatic new first year scholarships awarded by the Admissions Office and the Student Financial Aid Office. Qualified students admitted by December 1 will be invited to apply to the Honors College. If you are admitted to the Honors College, you will be considered for an Honors Distinction Award. 

You must be admitted in order to be considered for scholarships but you do not have to commit to Kent State.  Committing to Kent State by paying your matriculation fee does not increase your chances of receiving a scholarship.

Incoming first-year student scholarship awards are based on academic credentials (cumulative high school GPA and test scores).

In addition to scholarships awarded by the Admissions Office, Honors College and Student Financial Aid Office,  admitted students can also apply for scholarships awarded by Colleges and other departments at Kent State University. The Scholarship Search Checklist is a great resource that will help make sure you are not missing any scholarship opportunities at Kent State.  Scholarship application deadlines vary and the timing of the announcement of the students selected varies as well.  Most departments will determine recipients no later than June.

Students who will attend a Regional Campus should contact that campus for more information regarding scholarship opportunities and deadline dates. 

Continuing student scholarships

Scholarship awards are based on academic performance (cumulative Kent State University GPA) and in some cases the student’s academic major, talent, financial need, extracurricular activities and demonstrated leadership.

In addition to scholarships awarded by the Student Financial Aid Office, students can also apply for scholarships awarded by various departments at Kent State University. The Scholarship Search Checklist is a great resource that will help make sure you are not missing any scholarship opportunities at Kent State.  Scholarship application deadlines vary and the timing of the announcement of the students selected varies as well.  Most departments will determine recipients no later than June.

Students who will attend a Regional Campus should contact that campus for more information regarding scholarship opportunities and deadline dates.

Incoming transfer student scholarships

Students who will attend the Kent Campus should apply and be admitted to Kent State University no later than July 1 for the fall semester and December 1 for the spring semester, in order to be considered for incoming transfer student scholarships awarded by the Admissions Office and the Student Financial Aid Office.

Scholarship awards are based on academic cumulative GPA from all prior colleges attended and the number of credit hours earned.

In addition to scholarships awarded by the Admissions Office, Honors College and Student Financial Aid Office, students can also apply for scholarships awarded by Colleges and other departments at Kent State University. The Scholarship Search Checklist is a great resource that will help make sure you are not missing any scholarship opportunities at Kent State.  Scholarship application deadlines vary and the timing of the announcement of the students selected varies as well.  Most departments will determine recipients no later than June.

Visit the Kent State Online Scholarship Search

What if I missed the deadline for applying for scholarships?

If your scholarship application is received late, you will be placed on a waiting list. If additional awards become available, on-time applicants will be reviewed first. If awards are still available, we will then look at all scholarship applicants.

Do I have to apply for scholarships every year?

If the scholarship is a non-renewable scholarship, you will have to reapply to be considered for the scholarship during the upcoming year. If your scholarship is a renewable scholarship, then the scholarship will be renewed automatically, if you meet the renewal criteria.

You should never stop looking for scholarships  Visit the Kent State Online Scholarship Search often to make sure you don't miss a new scholarship opportunity.

Outside Scholarships

Can I bring an external scholarship to Kent?

You are welcome to bring any scholarship you receive from an external source (such as your high school, church, employers) to Kent State University, provided the donor will allow the use of the scholarship at Kent State.  Scholarship checks should be mailed to:

Kent State University
Bursar's Office
P.O. Box 5190
Kent, Ohio 44242

Make sure that the student's name and Kent State ID number are included.

Once the external scholarship funds are received, the scholarship will be added to the student’s financial aid offer and will appear as a credit on the student’s account for that semester.  The actual funds will not be released any sooner than 10 days before your classes start.  You cannot receive the scholarship funds early.   If you owe a balance for any reason on your student account, your scholarship will be applied to that outstanding balance.  If you do not owe a balance for that semester, the scholarship will be issued to you as a financial aid refund for that semester. 

All external scholarships must be reported to the Student Financial Aid Office, even if the organization gave the student a check made out to them personally.  Students can self-report external scholarships in FlashLine by following these steps:

  • Login to your FlashLine Account at www.kent.edu
  • Select Student
  • Under Finances, choose Financial Aid
  • Select Financial Aid Resource & Additional Information
  • Choose the current Award Year from the drop-down menu and click the Submit button
  • Click on Resources/Additional Information tab
  • Fill out the External Resource Reporting Information and click Submit information

Will an external scholarship affect scholarship or other financial aid that I am receiving from Kent State?

Your Kent State University scholarship may be adjusted if you receive another scholarship and/or benefit that covers the same fees. For example, if the student will have a University Tuition Fee Waiver, then they will not be permitted to receive a tuition scholarship.

Kent State University scholarships are limited to direct University costs. A combination of Kent State University scholarships, grants, and outside scholarships cannot exceed the Cost of Attendance Budget established for each student by Kent State University.

How Can I Find Scholarships Outside of Kent State University?

A list of helpful scholarship search tips, as well as links to reputable external scholarship search engines are available. The Scholarship Search Checklist is also a great resource for students and families.

Scholarship Eligibility and Renewal Criteria

What are the eligibility and renewal criteria for my scholarships?

For scholarship awards made by the Student Financial Aid Office, Admissions Office, and Honors College the renewal and eligibility criteria are available on your FlashLine account. Please follow the directions below to review the details. For scholarships awarded by Colleges and other departments, please contact the appropriate office for more information.

  • Login to your FlashLine Account at www.kent.edu
  • Select Student
  • Under Finances, choose Financial Aid
  • Select Financial Aid Awards
  • Select Aid for Award Year
  • Choose the current Award Year from the drop-down menu and click the Submit button
  • Click on the Award Overview tab
  • Click on the name of each scholarship and carefully read the Eligibility and Renewal Criteria for that award

Do I have to submit a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to be considered for scholarships?

Newly admitted students do not have submit a FAFSA to be considered for the Academic Achievement Award, President’s Achievement Award, Oscar Ritchie Memorial Scholarship, Founders Scholarship, Honors Distinction Award, or incoming transfer student scholarships. These scholarships are strictly merit based. 

If a scholarship program indicates that “demonstrating financial need” is required, then the student must have a FAFSA on file for the academic year to be considered for that award.  The FAFSA allows the Student Financial Aid Office to determine whether the student is demonstrating financial need. 

How do I accept my scholarships?

View step-by-step instructions on how to accept your Kent State scholarships.

Accepting a scholarship does not commit you to attending Kent State University, but we ask that you only accept your scholarship if you are planning to attend.  Accepting a scholarship will not eliminate you from consideration for additional scholarship awards. 

How will I receive my scholarship award?

All Kent State University scholarships (except for a limited number of scholarships awarded specifically for research or conference travel) will be applied to your student account for the semester.  Scholarships will show as credit on your student account, but the actual funds will not be released any sooner than 10 days before your classes start.  You cannot receive the scholarship funds early.   If you owe a balance for any reason on your student account, your scholarship will be applied to that outstanding balance.  If you do not owe a balance for that semester, the scholarship will be issued to you as a financial aid refund for that semester. 

Will my other financial aid be revised if I receive a scholarship?

The addition of a scholarship, from any source, could result in the revision of your other financial aid awards.  The most common revision is a reduction in a Federal Parent PLUS Loan, a private alternation loan, or the reduction/cancellation of student’s federal Direct Loans.  This typically happens only when the student is receiving a very large amount of financial aid that already equals their Cost of Attendance budget.  Based on a student’s FAFSA results, the student’s Federal Direct Subsidized Loan may have to be reduced or cancelled.  Whenever possible, that funding is replaced with a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan.

Scholarship awards that can only to be applied to certain expenses, such as tuition, may have to be reduced if the student’s total scholarships exceed that expense.

If I did not meet the renewal criteria in order to receive my scholarships next year, is there anything I can do?

Students who did not meet their scholarship renewal criteria for the awards listed below can request an appeal if they have extenuating circumstances.  

  • Academic Achievement Award
  • President's Achievement Award
  • Oscar Richie Memorial Scholarship
  • Trustee Scholarship
  • Founders Scholarship
  • University Award
  • President's Scholarship
  • President's Award
  • Academic Transfer Award
  • President's Transfer Award
  • Transfer2Kent Scholarship
  • Flash Transfer Northeast Ohio Scholarship

Extenuating circumstances include illness, death in family, family crisis, etc.  The appeal must include supporting documentation.  Students cannot request a scholarship appeal form until after they have been notified that the scholarship was cancelled for the upcoming year or semester.

Can I request an extra semester of my scholarship because I will be here for a 9th semester? 

No, 8-semester renewable scholarships cannot be extended.  Please visit the Kent State scholarship webpage for additional scholarship opportunities.

 I am graduating early – can I double up on my scholarship in my last semester? 

No, your Kent State scholarship cannot be increased from the original offer amount per semester.  For example, an $1,000 annual scholarship will be awarded $500 per semester.  You cannot receive all $1,000 in one semester.  

Can I receive my scholarship if I register for regional campus courses? 

You will not be eligible for your Kent Campus scholarship if you register for regional campus courses unless you are also enrolled for a minimum of 12 credit hours in Kent Campus designated courses that same semester. 

I only need 2 courses this semester to graduate and I have one semester of scholarship eligibility remaining. Am I eligible for my Kent Campus scholarship? 

You may appeal to use your scholarship, for less than full-time enrollment, if it is your last semester of enrollment prior to graduation.  Scholarship appeal forms are available at https://www.kent.edu/financialaid/student-financial-aid-scholarship-appeal-forms.  Please note, your scholarship may be prorated if you are not enrolled full-time.    

Tuition and Fee Waivers

Will I be eligible for Kent State scholarships if i will have a faculty/staff/dependent tuition waiver benefit?

Many Kent State scholarships can be applied only to tuition instructional and general fees.  Therefore, if the student will use a Tuition Waiver Benefit, these types of scholarships will be cancelled.  Affected scholarships include, but are not limited to, the following incoming freshman and incoming transfer student scholarships awarded by Admissions, Student Financial Aid and the Honors College:

  • Academic Achievement Award
  • Founders Scholarship
  • Honors Distinction Award
  • Oscar Richie Memorial Scholarship
  • President Achievement Award
  • Transfer2Kent Scholarship
  • Transfer in a Flash Scholarship

If cancelled due to a Tuition Waiver Benefit, these awards will NOT be replaced with funding to be used towards living expenses, books, or other educational-related expenses.

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