Scholarships
FAFSA First
Before you apply for scholarships, make sure you fill out the FAFSA.
Institutional & Foundation Scholarships
The Cincinnati State Institutional Scholarship Program awards scholarships to new and current students. The amount of the scholarship and the eligibility criteria vary, but may include academic merit or financial need. The online scholarship application opens each year on November 1 and the deadline is February 15.
- Students applying after the February 15 date are considered only if scholarship funds are available after first offers of scholarships are completed.
- Priority consideration goes to students who applied prior to the deadline.
Choose Ohio First Scholarship will be available starting in the Fall 2026 to first time Cincinnati State students. The application for Fall 2026 will be available November 1, 2025 until February 15, 2026.
CState Honors Program
Interested in joining the Honors Program? Learn more information about the requirements and scholarship opportunities here:
External Scholarship Resources
Students can apply to external (or “outside”) scholarship programs, not affiliated with Cincinnati State, to help cover the cost of their education. Outside scholarship programs vary widely in eligibility requirements and award amounts. Many organizations, such as churches and religious organizations, civic and community groups, and fraternities and sororities, provide scholarships to support college education.
In some cases, employers may provide financial assistance to employees or their family members who are pursuing a college education. Check with your supervisor or the Human Resources department in your workplace to learn if educational assistance is available.
You can search for other external scholarship opportunities at these scholarship database websites:
The Ohio Reach Scholarship supports youth that were in the custody of a public children service agency for at least one day after the age of 13.
“Getting a scholarship allowed me to take out less financial aid, which will lower my overall student loan debt. I was able to focus more on school and not worry about a large loan waiting for me afterwards.”
— Amber R.