Cleveland State Announces $0 Tuition for Eligible Ohio Students

CLEVELAND — Cleveland State University announced the Cleveland State Commitment on Friday. The program promises $0 tuition for qualified Ohio students. The university’s Board of Trustees approved it earlier in the day. Beginning in fall 2027, incoming first year students who graduate from high school in spring 2027 with a 3.0 GPA or higher can qualify. Their families must have an adjusted gross income of $125,000 or less. Eligible students will pay no tuition for up to eight consecutive semesters. The university will cover any tuition left after federal and state grants and scholarships are applied. Students determine eligibility by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as FAFSA. “For too long now, the dream of a college education has not been possible for many Ohio families simply due to the cost. That ends with the Cleveland State Commitment,” said CSU President Laura Bloomberg. Aimed at middle income families About 73% of Ohio households earn $125,000 or less. The program is designed to reach families in the middle, especially those earning $75,000 to $125,000. Those families often receive little federal or state grant aid but still find college costs out of reach. CSU’s income limit is higher than comparable programs at other Ohio public universities. The University of Akron’s program, for example, is capped at $85,000. Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce reports that median lifetime earnings of a college graduate are $1.2 million higher than those of someone with only a high school diploma. Mike Duffey, chancellor of the Ohio Department of Higher Education, voiced support for the plan. “If you make the grade and have demonstrated need, Cleveland State will pick up the full cost of tuition for four years. This is a great initiative and I strongly support it,” he said. Building Ohio talent Through CSU’s newly launched Talent Hub, Commitment students will graduate free of tuition debt. They will also gain hands on work experience in Cleveland, which positions them for high paying jobs after graduation. Chad Warren, vice president of advancement and executive director of the CSU Foundation, said the program is “an opportunity commitment, not just a tuition discount.” He said it is made possible by Cleveland State scholarships and by donors, foundations and community partners. Who qualifies To be eligible, a student must be an Ohio resident entering CSU as a new, full time, degree seeking first year student in fall 2027. The student must be a spring 2027 high school graduate with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Family income must be $125,000 or less, confirmed each year through the FAFSA. Students keep the benefit by maintaining a 2.0 GPA, full time enrollment and the income requirement. The program covers tuition only. It does not cover housing, meals, books, transportation or program specific fees. It does not apply to transfer students or current students. Those students can still explore scholarships, grants and other aid at csuohio.edu/financial-aid. How to learn more Students and families can see if they qualify at csuohio.edu/cleveland-state-commitment. They can also register for the campus Fall Visit Day on Saturday, Oct. 10, at go.csuohio.edu/portal/fallvisitday. Donors, foundations and corporations interested in supporting the program can contact Chad Warren at chad.warren@csuohio.edu or 216-523-7252.