Freshman & Transfer Student Scholarships

The University of Cincinnati is excited to provide scholarship opportunities that reward your achievements and assist you in meeting your college costs. More detailed information for these key campus-wide programs is available through the links in each paragraph. Additional information is available on the scholarship chart and from the Scholarship & New Student Financial Aid Center (financeaid@uc.edu; 513-556-2420).

CINCINNATUS SCHOLARSHIP COMPETITION
The cornerstone of the freshman scholarship programs continues to be Cincinnatus, a program that awards more than $18 million in UC four-year scholarships. The brightest and most promising prospective freshmen are invited to campus where they compete in a dynamic, interactive event that celebrates student leadership, academic excellence, and personal growth. 

For Cincinnatus Scholarship consideration, incoming freshmen must have their complete admission application (to include transcript and official test scores) at UC by December 1st of their senior year.

Scholarships are renewable for up to 12 full-time quarters subject to completing a 30-hour community service requirement and maintaining a minimum 3.2 grade point average.

UC|21 SCHOLARSHIP FOR NATIONAL MERIT FINALISTS
Up to 50 National Merit and National Achievement finalists are eligible for the UC|21 Scholarship, which ensures the recipient UC scholarships totaling in-state tuition and fees (out-of-state students are responsible for the out-of-state surcharge) and standard residence hall room cost.  Awardees also receive admission to UC's University Honors Program and a $1,500 one-time allocation toward the purchase of a computer, undergraduate research study or study abroad experience.

The UC|21 Scholarship is renewable for up to 12 full-time quarters subject to completing a 30-hour community service requirement and maintaining a minimum 3.2 grade point average. Further information is available from the Office of Admissions.

DARWIN T. TURNER SCHOLARSHIP
Named in honor of the youngest person ever to graduate from UC, the Darwin T. Turner Scholarship Program provides in-state tuition and quarterly stipend. First-time students admitted into a baccalaureate program must have a 3.0 GPA and a 24 ACT/1090 SAT for consideration. Students must have a complete admission application (including transcript and official test scores) at UC by December 1st. 

Scholars enjoy a strong sense of community through academic and service activities required for scholarship renewal.

UC TRANSFER SCHOLARSHIPS
UC offers several transfer student opportunities.

• Phi Theta Kappa Scholarships - up to four $6,000 annual scholarships for members of the community college honor society Phi Theta Kappa who graduate with a 3.75 cumulative grade-point-average.
• UC Community College Transfer Scholarships - up to fifty $2,100 annual scholarship for graduates of two-year programs who have a GPA of at 3.25 or higher.
• Cincinnati Pathways Scholarships - Cincinnati State associate degree graduates with a 3.5 GPA who are admitted through the Pathways program will be awarded a $2,100 annual scholarship.

Community college students need to have completed their associate degree within two years of their planned enrollment at UC and be transferring directly from a degree-granting community college to a UC non-distance learning bachelor's degree program.

For maximum consideration, community college transfer students must have their admission application and transcript information submitted to UC by April 30th. Transfer scholarships can be received over six academic quarters (equivalent to the two-years, generally required for community college transfer students to complete their bachelor’s degree) assuming the student is enrolled full-time at UC, makes satisfactory academic progress and earns at least a 3.2 GPA.

For maximum UC scholarship consideration, incoming freshmen should complete their admission application (including transcripts and official test scores) by December 1.

Incoming transfer students must apply by April 30th for UC scholarship consideration.

Incoming freshmen, transfers and continuing students can explore UC and other scholarship opportunities using our scholarship search tool.

UC academic programs list their scholarship options. As well, many outside agencies provide UC with scholarship information that we, in turn, make available to you. Please use this search tool routinely as new scholarships are posted as information becomes available.