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Admission & Financial Aid / Financial Aid / Scholarships & Grants / Apply for Scholarships
Scholarships
Complete Your Application Early!
Your application for admission will be used as your scholarship application.
Learn if you qualify for Free Tuition!
Do you live in Scioto, Lawrence, Adams, Pike, Jackson, Ross, Gallia, Brown, Highland, and Vinton Counties in Ohio – or Greenup, Boyd or Lewis Counties in Kentucky? You could be eligible for Free Tuition at Shawnee State!
Students who qualify for federal Pell Grants, have a high school GPA of 3.0 and ACT score of at least 18 are eligible.
Fall 2026
Dates & Deadlines
December 1, 2025
- Early consideration scholarship deadline
- Apply early for first consideration
February 1, 2026
- Priority scholarship deadline
- Guaranteed scholarships for eligible applicants
- Limited full-tuition scholarships
March 1, 2026
- Priority FAFSA deadline
- File the FAFSA for the 2026-27 academic year
(Shawnee State University’s school code is 009942)
May 31, 2026 – Final Deadline
- Scholarships are available while funds last
- File the FAFSA for the 2026-27 academic year
(Shawnee State University’s school code is 009942)
“Merit-Based” Scholarships
Scholarships are based on your academic achievements and do not have to be repaid. Apply for admission to Shawnee State University and send us your transcripts and ACT or SAT scores for consideration for scholarship awards.
Learn more about Scholarships (PDF)
How to Apply for Scholarships:
- Apply for admission to Shawnee State. Your application for admission will be used as your scholarship application.
- Send your ACT/SAT score* and current high school transcript with grade point average to our Office of Admission.
- File the FAFSA: fafsa.gov (Shawnee State University’s school code is 009942)
Need help or have questions? Call (740) 351-4778 to get started.
Merit Scholarships at a Glance
To see what you may have already qualified for, match your high school GPA to your ACT/SAT or Accuplacer scores in the tables below.
| Scholarship | Shawnee Achievement | Shawnee Excellence | Shawnee Success | Blue & Gray | Shawnee Empowerment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GPA | 3.8+ | 3.6+ | 3.4+ | 3.2+ | 3.0+ |
| Scores | ACT 27+ or SAT 1260+ |
ACT 25+ or SAT 1200+ |
ACT 23+ or SAT 1130+ |
ACT 21+ or SAT 1060+ |
ACT 18+ or SAT 960+ |
| Amount | $5,000/year | $4,000/year | $3,000/year | $2,000/year | $1,000/year |
Students need to meet both the ACT/SAT test scores and GPA to receive the amount listed.
Students placed in developmental English, math or reading classes are not eligible for Blue & Gray or above.
Accuplacer Placement Scholarships
Will I be considered for scholarships if I take the Accuplacer Placement Test instead of submitting ACT/SAT scores?
Yes. If you take the Accuplacer Placement Test instead of the ACT/SAT, you will be considered for scholarships using the Alternate Placement Scholarship table below.
Please complete your application and submit all transcripts and test scores for scholarship consideration.
*Note: You must also provide evidence of "rigorous course of study" including:
- Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus or Calculus, or CCP/AP credit in Statistics, Algebra, or Calculus
- College Prep, Honors, AP, or CCP credit in English,
- At least two credits in or a combination of two credits in Biology, Chemistry or Physics
Our goal is to make sure the availability of ACT and SAT is not a barrier to you getting started on your college degree.
To see what scholarships you may qualify for, match your high school GPA to your Accuplacer Placement Test scores in the table below.
| Scholarship | Shawnee Achievement | Shawnee Excellence | Shawnee Success | Blue & Gray |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GPA | 3.9+ | 3.6+ | 3.3+ | 3.0+ |
| Scores | AAF 276+ WP 7+ READ 241+ |
AAF 263+ WP 5+ READ 241+ |
QRAS 253+ WP 5+ READ 241+ |
QRAS 241+ WP 5+ READ 241+ |
| Amount | $4,000/year | $3,000/year | $2,000/year | $1,000/year |
- AAF = Advanced Algebra and Functions
- QRAS = Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra and Statistics
- WP = WritePlacer
- READ = Reading Placement
Schedule a Placement Test
Renewal Requirements
Your scholarship is renewable every year for four years. Maintain a 3.0 GPA and earn 27 credit hours per academic year in order to automatically renew your scholarship each academic year.
Additional Scholarship Opportunities
Choose Ohio First Scholarships
Through funding awarded by the Ohio Department of Higher Education, Shawnee State offers a limited number of scholarships valued at $1,500 to full-tuition for qualifying students from disadvantaged regions of Ohio and underserved populations pursuing select degrees in Healthcare Professions, Advanced Manufacturing & Technology, or Math & Sciences.
Scioto County Metro Housing
Any incoming first-time freshman who reside in Scioto County can live in Shawnee State University’s campus housing at a 50% reduction in cost of housing and meal plan.
Paws Up Scholarship
Non-Merit/Non-Pell Award
Shawnee State University currently provides merit-based awards to incoming first-time freshman who score a 21 on the ACT Composite (1060 SAT) and possess at least a 3.2 grade point average. We also provide a Pell-Eligible Free Tuition program for students who qualify for a Pell Grant and possess an 18 on their ACT Composite.
Missing from these awards are students who fall just shy of a merit award, while concurrently not qualifying for a Pell Grant. SSU will award scholarships of $1,500/per year for four years to students who possess a 2.75 cumulative GPA and an 18 ACT Composite, but do not qualify for a Pell Grant.
Transfer Scholarships
($1,500-$3,500 per year)
If you began your education at another university or community college, finish your degree at Shawnee State University. Students with an associate’s degree receive an additional $1,000.
| GPA | Transfer Scholarship |
|---|---|
| 2.85+ | $1,500 |
| 3.50+ | $2,500 |
| 3.8+ | $3,500 |
SSU Legacy Scholarship
$500 per year
($2,000 for four years)
If your parent or grandparent graduated from Shawnee State University and you have earned a high school grade point average of at least a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, you may be eligible for a legacy scholarship.
This scholarship is stackable with other merit and athletic scholarships. A separate application is required. Call (740) 351-4AID if you have questions.
KEES Scholarship (for Kentucky Residents)
If you qualified for KEES funds in Kentucky, you may be eligible for a SSU scholarship in the amount of your KEES award.
This scholarship is not stackable with other merit scholarships. A separate application and documentation of your KEES funds is required.