YSU Scholarships for Excellence

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 our 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.

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.

Freshman Scholarships for Excellence
Scholarship	Value	Criteria	Renewal
First Opportunity	$1,000 $4,000 four years	3.0 GPA/ACT 19 or SAT 990^† Test Optional: GPA 3.0-3.49	24 credit hours per academic year Minimum 12 hours per term 3.0 overall GPA
Red and White	$2,000 $8,000 four years	3.0 GPA/ACT 22 or SAT 1110^† Test Optional: GPA 3.5-3.89	24 credit hours per academic year Minimum 12 hours per term 3.0 overall GPA
Deans'	$3,000 $12,000 four years	3.5 GPA/ACT 25 or SAT 1220^† Test Optional: GPA 3.9 and above	24 credit hours per academic year Minimum 12 hours per term 3.0 overall GPA
President's	$4,000 $16,000 four years	3.5 GPA/ACT 27 or SAT 1290^† Test Optional: Not Available	24 credit hours per academic year Minimum 12 hours per term 3.0 overall GPA
Trustees'	$5,000 $20,000 four years	Valedictorian Test Optional: Not Available	24 credit hours per academic year Minimum 12 hours per term 3.0 overall GPA
Martin Luther King Merit Award	Merit awards up to $1,000 per academic year $4,000 four years	Test Optional: 3.0GPA	24 credit hours per academic year Minimum 12 hours per term 3.0 overall GPA
Note: The Martin Luther King Merit Award is a 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)

Domestic

Criteria domestic first-year student

Minimum Criteria: 26 ACT/1240 SAT and 3.5 overall high school grade point average*

For the 2026-27 academic year, YSU applicants without a college entrance exam and a 3.5 or greater overall high school GPA are also encouraged to apply.

Domestic First-year incoming student

Qualifying incoming freshmen*

$1,000 - $3,000 tuition (Renewable for up to three additional years as long as student maintains honors annual requirements for continuation.)

$1,000 - $3,000 housing (Renewable for up to one additional year as long as student maintains annual honors requirements for continuation.)

* Students meeting honors minimum criteria will be considered for up to the full amount - $3,000 tuition and $3,000 housing. Students not meeting minimum criteria may still be eligible for a partial honors scholarship.

Criteria domestic transfer student

Minimum Criteria: 3.5 overall college grade point average

$1,000 - $3,000 tuition (Renewable for up to a maximum of three years as long as student maintains annual honors requirements for continuation.)

$1,000 - $3,000 housing (Renewable for up to one additional year as long as student maintains annual honors requirements for continuation.)

College Credit Plus students

College Credit Plus students need to complete the Sokolov Honors College application.

International

Criteria International First-year incoming

Minimum Criteria: 26 ACT/1240 SAT and 3.5 overall high school grade point average*

For the 2026-27 academic year, YSU applicants without a college entrance exam and a 3.5 or greater overall high school GPA are also encouraged to apply.

$1,000 tuition (Applied for the second year of enrollment in the Honors College as long as student achieves the minimum honors requirements for a first-year student. The $1000 tuition is then renewable for up to two additional years as long as the student maintains annual honors requirements for continuation.)

$2,000 housing (Available beginning the first year and is renewable for one additional year as long as student maintains annual honors requirements for continuation.)

Criteria international transfer student

Minimum Criteria: 3.5 overall college grade point average

$1,000 tuition (Applied for the second year of enrollment in the Sokolov Honors College as long as the student achieves the annual minimum honors requirements.) For a transfer international student, the honors tuition scholarship is renewable for up to a maximum of two additional years as long as student maintains honors requirements for continuation.

$2,000 housing (Renewable for up to one additional year as long as student maintains honors requirements for continuation.)

Deferrals
If a student domestic or international defers from Fall 2026 to Spring 2027, they will not need to reapply to honors and their scholarships will carry forward.

If an international student defers from Fall 2026 to Fall 2027, they will need to reapply to the Sokolov Honors College.

A student beginning at YSU in Spring 2027 may apply as a current student to the Sokolov Honors College at the end of spring semester for Fall 2027. However, current students are not considered for honors scholarships

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.

Transfer Scholarships
Scholarship	Value	Minimum Criteria	Renewal
Transfer Level 2	$1,000 $3,000 three years	12 transfer hours 3.0 GPA	12 credit hours per academic year 3.0 GPA
Transfer Level 1	$1,500 $4,500 three years	12 transfer hours 3.5 GPA	12 credit hours per academic year 3.0 GPA

Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship
Scholarship	Value	Minimum Criteria	Renewal
Phi Theta Kappa	$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).

Academic Achievement Award
Value	Minimum Criteria	Renewal
$500 per academic year $1,500 three years if renewed	24 hours (at YSU) 3.5 GPA	12 credit hours per academic year 3.5 GPA

**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 YSU Scholarship Opportunities page to research miscellaneous, college and departmental level scholarship opportunities.

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