Financial Aid & Scholarships | Central State
Source: https://www.centralstate.edu/admissions-aid/financial-aid-and-scholarships
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:19
Financial Aid & Scholarships | Central State
Skip to Content
Financial aid and scholarships
On This Page
Announcements
Understanding your bill
Understanding how scholarship funds are applied to your college costs and how billing works is an important part of managing your educational expenses.
All students receive a bill if they have a balance due at the time of bill processing. The first financial aid disbursement for the Fall semester occurs in early September. This may have occurred after you received your bill, so the financial aid had not yet been applied.
To ensure you understand your financial obligations, please check the financial aid tab in your student portal to compare aid vs. charges; log into your student account center where any memo aid is also reflected next to your current term charges; or click the button in the eBill to view your statement in its entirety.
By taking these steps, you will see any aid awarded before it is posted to your account. Once aid has been disbursed for the term, any future bills will display payments made to your account from scholarships, federal aid, and loans. Central State requires attendance before aid is disbursed. If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Financial Aid.
Financial aid disbursement occurs when your student account is credited with financial aid funds and the funds from your financial aid package move to your student account to pay for your charges. Refunds will follow approximately 14 days after the disbursement.
Ways to pay for college
Image
First thing's first
At Central State University, we strive to be a guiding light for students who may not have had the chance to shine in higher education. We support their learning journey inside and outside the classroom through scholarships, guidance on financing their education, and career services in partnership with leading corporations.
At Central State University, we believe every student deserves the opportunity to achieve their academic goals without worrying about financial burdens. That's why we offer affordable tuition and financial assistance to support your success. Let us help you unlock your potential and reach new heights in your academic journey.
Below is an overview of scholarships and other types of aid available to Marauders.
Know the difference between scholarships, grants, and loans
The Federal Pell Grant Program
offers up to $7,395 (2025-26 academic calendar) in aid that does not need to be repaid
. The amount granted depends on your tuition costs and financial need. Complete the FAFSA to see if you are eligible and to apply.
Learn more about federal student aid
here
.
If you are an Ohio resident and qualify for a federal Pell Grant, you may also qualify for a needs-based state grant. Funds for this program are more limited, however, and awards are made on a first-come, first-served basis.
Ohio College Opportunity Grants
Ohio College Opportunity Grants (OCOG) are state-funded each academic year and are available to Ohio residents who demonstrate financial need and have qualified for Pell Grant funds. Funds for this program are limited. The grant is prorated based on full- or part-time enrollment status.
Grants and scholarships are automatically accepted. If you want to decline grants or scholarships, contact the Financial Aid office at
financialaid@centralstate.edu.
Federal Direct Loans
A
subsidized loan
is awarded based on financial need. Students will not be charged interest before they begin repayment or during authorized deferment periods. The federal government subsidizes the interest during these periods.
An
unsubsidized loan
is not awarded on the basis of need. Students will be charged interest from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full. If students allow the interest to accumulate while they are in school or during other periods of nonpayment, it will be capitalized; that is, the interest will be added to the principal amount of the loan and subsequent interest will be based on the higher amount.
Federal Direct PLUS Loans
enable parents who do not have an adverse credit history to borrow money to pay the education expenses of each child who is a dependent undergraduate student enrolled at least half-time.
The federal work-study program offers financial assistance to students with financial need, enabling them to work part-time on campus. This program provides an excellent opportunity for students to gain valuable hands-on experience that can benefit them in the future, while also earning money to help cover their expenses while in school.
Scholarships
Marauders receive aid in the form of Central State and external scholarships based on academic achievement, leadership, and talent. Some scholarships are exclusive to Marauders. Other scholarships are available to students at the state or national level. Be sure to read the criteria closely to complete your application as required.
For a list of scholarships, visit
Scholarship Central
.
Loans
Special types of aid
A federally funded grant, the
Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program
provides up to $4,000 per year in grants for undergraduate students in specified majors who intend to teach full-time in high-need subject areas for at least four years at schools classified as serving low-income students. For students who do not complete the service obligations associated with the program, this grant will be converted to a Direct Unsubsidized loan.
Grant-becomes-loan provision
While students intending to teach may benefit from this grant money, accepting a TEACH grant is unlike other grant programs.
Failure to meet all service provisions will result in all TEACH grant funds being permanently converted to a loan with interest calculated to when the grant was received.
To receive a TEACH Grant, students must do the following:
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Meet basic aid eligibility requirements for matriculation and academic progress
Be enrolled in a program of study designated as TEACH Grant-eligible
Meet one of the following academic achievement requirements: score above the 75th percentile on a college admissions test (e.g., SAT, ACT, or GRE) or have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25
Complete TEACH Grant counseling each year funds are received
Sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve (ATS) each year the student receives funds and respond to requests by the U.S. Department of Education confirming your continuing intention to meet the teaching obligation
Active-duty service members, veterans, and their families may be eligible for additional educational benefits under the Forever GI Bill. It provides funding to qualified students to help pay for tuition and fees, housing, books, and supplies.
Learn more
Veterans' educational benefits
GI Bill
GI Bill
benefits help students pay for college, graduate school, and training programs. It is available to qualifying veterans and their family members to cover all or some of the costs for school or training.
AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps
is a program for students to participate in national service and community service that can help put them through college.
FASTChoice
FASTChoice
makes it easy to learn a student’s options, responsibilities and details of each lender’s loan products. There are many ways to pay for higher education, and FASTChoice makes it easier by providing students with simple yet critical information about funding types and money management. It also clearly presents the student’s new responsibilities when they borrow money. Finally, FASTChoice presents the student with a comparison of loan products in easy-to-understand ways.
ROTC scholarships
Army ROTC scholarships pay 100% tuition, $1,200 per year for books, and required fees. They are awarded on merits such as academic achievements, extracurricular activities, personal interviews, and physical fitness.
Scholarship winners also receive a monthly stipend of $420 for each academic month. Each scholarship may have different benefits that are attached to the specific type of scholarship.
Eligibility
Be a U.S. citizen and at least age 17 with the ability to commission by the time you are 30 years old
Have a high school GPA of at least 2.50
Have a high school diploma or equivalent
Meet physical standards
according to the Department of Defense Medical Review Board and Army physical fitness test
Agree to accept a commission and serve in the Army on Active Duty or in a Reserve component (Army Reserve or Army National Guard)
Pass a background check
Discover CSU ROTC
Central State University supports the use of Open Educational Resources (OER) for general education courses. Students enrolled in only OER courses incur no course material or textbook charges, as the resources used for learning in the courses are copyrighted for open access.
Check out
Textbooks and Course Materials
for complete details.
CSU Title IV Administration Manual
This document is designed to serve as a comprehensive guide to the policies and procedures governing the administration of Title IV federal student aid programs at Central State University.
The manual is intended for use by staff and administrators involved in the management, disbursement, and oversight of financial aid at Central State University, ensuring compliance with federal regulations and institutional standards.
CSU Title IV Manual
Open Educational Resources (OER)
COM 3308 Film Image and Social Reality
ENG 2100 Great Books, Great Films
ENG 2200 Introduction to Literary Studies
ENG 2600 Comics & Graphic Novels
ENG 2300 Introduction to Creative Writing
ENG 2320 Poetry Workshop
ENG 2500 Literature by Black Women
ENG 2600 Comics
ENG 3020 African American Literature I
ENG 3040 British Literature I
ENG 3041 British Literature II
ENG 3100 Literary Criticism
ENG 4080 Shakespeare and His Influence
FLA 2234 Spanish and Latin American Cinema
HIS 1110 Introductory History of Africans in the US
HIS 1121 Global History to 1500
HIS 1122 Global History since 1500
HIS 2100 Research Methods in History
HIS 2201 History of the U.S. to 1877
HIS 2202 History of the U.S. since 1887
HIS 3270 Pan African History
HIS 3301 African American History to 1877
HIS 3330 History of Modern China & Japan
HIS 4370 Recent America
IDS 1400 Introduction to Environmental Humanities
IDS 1500 Introduction to Gender and Sexuality Studies
IDS 2100 Introduction to Studies in the Humanities
IDS 4500 Senior Capstone in Humanities
PHI 2210 Survey of Global Philosophy
PHI 2230 Global Religion
PHI 2240 Critical Thinking
PHI 2250 Applied Ethics
PHI 3200 Environmental Ethics
PHI 3300 Logic and Scientific Method
PHI 3350 African American Philosophy
PHI 3500 Disciplines in Philosophy
PHI 3000 Ethic of Digital Culture
CRJ 2XXX Criminal Justice in Cybersecurity
PSC 1100 American National Government
PSC 2223 Intro to Political Science
PSY 1200 Introduction to Psychology
SOC 1105 Introduction to Sociology
SOC 1125 Social Problems
SOC 2206 Statistics in Social and Behavioral Sciences
SOC 2800 Methods of Social Research
SOC 3325 Race and Ethnic Relations
SOC 3330 Gender and Society
SOC 3343 Social Stratification
SWK 4420 Child & Family Services I
SWK 4421 Child & Family Services II
GEO 1103 World Geography: East Hemisphere
GEO 1110 Fundamentals of Geography
GEO 3313 Weather and Climate
EDP 3104 Curriculum and Instruction in Science for Primary Education
WRM 4470 Applied Remote Sensing
WRM 4402 Urban Water Problems
AGED 3100 The Adult Classroom
AGED 3115 Addressing Diverse Populations in Agriculture
AGED 4110 Student Leadership Organization
AGED 4500 Extension Internship
CPS 2271 Data Structures
CPS 4210 Artificial Intelligence
CPS 3200 Computer Algorithms
CPS 3340 Computer Architecture
CPS 4XXX Data Analysis & Visualization
INT 2311 Circuit Analysis
INT 2420 Industrial Instrumentation and Process Control
INT 2430 Electronic Devices and Circuits
MFE 4710 Measurements and Instrumentation
MFE XXXX Manufacturing Science & ERP
CPS 1000 Ethics in Computer Science
CPS 1191 Computer Science I
CPS 1192 Computer Science II
CPS 2215 Internet Web Essentials
CPS 2300 Cybersecurity I
CPS 3316 Computer Networks
CPS 3300 Cybersecurity II
CPS 3320 Database Systems
CPS 4895 Senior Project
CRJ 2210 Introduction to Criminal Justice
How we calculate aid
The government uses your FAFSA application to determine your
financial aid eligibility
and your expected family contribution (EFC), which factors in family income and the number of dependents at home and in college. To calculate your aid package, we add up your total cost of attendance, including tuition, room, board, and fees, and then subtract your EFC.
FAQs
If you are waiting for a university-funded scholarship (band, choir, housing, etc.), please be patient. The Financial Aid office has requested each of these units provide information as soon as possible, but no later than June 1. Following National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) guidelines, Athletics will provide scholarship information by July 1.
For scholarships from external sources, the Financial Aid office will add your financial aid award as soon as the Financial Aid office receives official notice of the award. You can see it under the financial aid tab in the student portal.
You can access information about the parent PLUS loan application at
https://studentaid.gov/app/launchPLUS.action?plusType=parentPlus
.
After your parents have completed the application, please notify the Financial Aid office via email
financialaid@centralstate.edu
.
This will inform the Financial Aid officer to make the necessary adjustment to your student account.
As always, if you have questions or need assistance, please reach out to us at:
financialaid@centralstate.edu
.
Complete the form below and submit it to Financial Aid with your supporting documentation.
SAP APPEAL FORM
Financial aid help
Net Price Calculator
StudentAid.gov
Make your move
Learn More
Additional Fees
On-Campus Students
$300 Late Registration Fee
$100 Continuing Student Housing deposit
$200 Late Housing Deposit
$50 Graduation Fee
$360 Books Full-Time Students
$180 Books Part-Time Students
Global Students
$100 Orientation Fee
$300 Late Registration Fee
$50 Graduation Fee
$360 Books (Full-Time Students)
$180 Books (Part-Time Students)
Commuter Students
$300 Late Registration Fee
$50 Graduation Fee
$360 Books Full-Time Students
$180 Books Part-Time Students
Skip to Content
Financial aid and scholarships
On This Page
Announcements
Understanding your bill
Understanding how scholarship funds are applied to your college costs and how billing works is an important part of managing your educational expenses.
All students receive a bill if they have a balance due at the time of bill processing. The first financial aid disbursement for the Fall semester occurs in early September. This may have occurred after you received your bill, so the financial aid had not yet been applied.
To ensure you understand your financial obligations, please check the financial aid tab in your student portal to compare aid vs. charges; log into your student account center where any memo aid is also reflected next to your current term charges; or click the button in the eBill to view your statement in its entirety.
By taking these steps, you will see any aid awarded before it is posted to your account. Once aid has been disbursed for the term, any future bills will display payments made to your account from scholarships, federal aid, and loans. Central State requires attendance before aid is disbursed. If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Financial Aid.
Financial aid disbursement occurs when your student account is credited with financial aid funds and the funds from your financial aid package move to your student account to pay for your charges. Refunds will follow approximately 14 days after the disbursement.
Ways to pay for college
Image
First thing's first
At Central State University, we strive to be a guiding light for students who may not have had the chance to shine in higher education. We support their learning journey inside and outside the classroom through scholarships, guidance on financing their education, and career services in partnership with leading corporations.
At Central State University, we believe every student deserves the opportunity to achieve their academic goals without worrying about financial burdens. That's why we offer affordable tuition and financial assistance to support your success. Let us help you unlock your potential and reach new heights in your academic journey.
Below is an overview of scholarships and other types of aid available to Marauders.
Know the difference between scholarships, grants, and loans
The Federal Pell Grant Program
offers up to $7,395 (2025-26 academic calendar) in aid that does not need to be repaid
. The amount granted depends on your tuition costs and financial need. Complete the FAFSA to see if you are eligible and to apply.
Learn more about federal student aid
here
.
If you are an Ohio resident and qualify for a federal Pell Grant, you may also qualify for a needs-based state grant. Funds for this program are more limited, however, and awards are made on a first-come, first-served basis.
Ohio College Opportunity Grants
Ohio College Opportunity Grants (OCOG) are state-funded each academic year and are available to Ohio residents who demonstrate financial need and have qualified for Pell Grant funds. Funds for this program are limited. The grant is prorated based on full- or part-time enrollment status.
Grants and scholarships are automatically accepted. If you want to decline grants or scholarships, contact the Financial Aid office at
financialaid@centralstate.edu.
Federal Direct Loans
A
subsidized loan
is awarded based on financial need. Students will not be charged interest before they begin repayment or during authorized deferment periods. The federal government subsidizes the interest during these periods.
An
unsubsidized loan
is not awarded on the basis of need. Students will be charged interest from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full. If students allow the interest to accumulate while they are in school or during other periods of nonpayment, it will be capitalized; that is, the interest will be added to the principal amount of the loan and subsequent interest will be based on the higher amount.
Federal Direct PLUS Loans
enable parents who do not have an adverse credit history to borrow money to pay the education expenses of each child who is a dependent undergraduate student enrolled at least half-time.
The federal work-study program offers financial assistance to students with financial need, enabling them to work part-time on campus. This program provides an excellent opportunity for students to gain valuable hands-on experience that can benefit them in the future, while also earning money to help cover their expenses while in school.
Scholarships
Marauders receive aid in the form of Central State and external scholarships based on academic achievement, leadership, and talent. Some scholarships are exclusive to Marauders. Other scholarships are available to students at the state or national level. Be sure to read the criteria closely to complete your application as required.
For a list of scholarships, visit
Scholarship Central
.
Loans
Special types of aid
A federally funded grant, the
Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program
provides up to $4,000 per year in grants for undergraduate students in specified majors who intend to teach full-time in high-need subject areas for at least four years at schools classified as serving low-income students. For students who do not complete the service obligations associated with the program, this grant will be converted to a Direct Unsubsidized loan.
Grant-becomes-loan provision
While students intending to teach may benefit from this grant money, accepting a TEACH grant is unlike other grant programs.
Failure to meet all service provisions will result in all TEACH grant funds being permanently converted to a loan with interest calculated to when the grant was received.
To receive a TEACH Grant, students must do the following:
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Meet basic aid eligibility requirements for matriculation and academic progress
Be enrolled in a program of study designated as TEACH Grant-eligible
Meet one of the following academic achievement requirements: score above the 75th percentile on a college admissions test (e.g., SAT, ACT, or GRE) or have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25
Complete TEACH Grant counseling each year funds are received
Sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve (ATS) each year the student receives funds and respond to requests by the U.S. Department of Education confirming your continuing intention to meet the teaching obligation
Active-duty service members, veterans, and their families may be eligible for additional educational benefits under the Forever GI Bill. It provides funding to qualified students to help pay for tuition and fees, housing, books, and supplies.
Learn more
Veterans' educational benefits
GI Bill
GI Bill
benefits help students pay for college, graduate school, and training programs. It is available to qualifying veterans and their family members to cover all or some of the costs for school or training.
AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps
is a program for students to participate in national service and community service that can help put them through college.
FASTChoice
FASTChoice
makes it easy to learn a student’s options, responsibilities and details of each lender’s loan products. There are many ways to pay for higher education, and FASTChoice makes it easier by providing students with simple yet critical information about funding types and money management. It also clearly presents the student’s new responsibilities when they borrow money. Finally, FASTChoice presents the student with a comparison of loan products in easy-to-understand ways.
ROTC scholarships
Army ROTC scholarships pay 100% tuition, $1,200 per year for books, and required fees. They are awarded on merits such as academic achievements, extracurricular activities, personal interviews, and physical fitness.
Scholarship winners also receive a monthly stipend of $420 for each academic month. Each scholarship may have different benefits that are attached to the specific type of scholarship.
Eligibility
Be a U.S. citizen and at least age 17 with the ability to commission by the time you are 30 years old
Have a high school GPA of at least 2.50
Have a high school diploma or equivalent
Meet physical standards
according to the Department of Defense Medical Review Board and Army physical fitness test
Agree to accept a commission and serve in the Army on Active Duty or in a Reserve component (Army Reserve or Army National Guard)
Pass a background check
Discover CSU ROTC
Central State University supports the use of Open Educational Resources (OER) for general education courses. Students enrolled in only OER courses incur no course material or textbook charges, as the resources used for learning in the courses are copyrighted for open access.
Check out
Textbooks and Course Materials
for complete details.
CSU Title IV Administration Manual
This document is designed to serve as a comprehensive guide to the policies and procedures governing the administration of Title IV federal student aid programs at Central State University.
The manual is intended for use by staff and administrators involved in the management, disbursement, and oversight of financial aid at Central State University, ensuring compliance with federal regulations and institutional standards.
CSU Title IV Manual
Open Educational Resources (OER)
COM 3308 Film Image and Social Reality
ENG 2100 Great Books, Great Films
ENG 2200 Introduction to Literary Studies
ENG 2600 Comics & Graphic Novels
ENG 2300 Introduction to Creative Writing
ENG 2320 Poetry Workshop
ENG 2500 Literature by Black Women
ENG 2600 Comics
ENG 3020 African American Literature I
ENG 3040 British Literature I
ENG 3041 British Literature II
ENG 3100 Literary Criticism
ENG 4080 Shakespeare and His Influence
FLA 2234 Spanish and Latin American Cinema
HIS 1110 Introductory History of Africans in the US
HIS 1121 Global History to 1500
HIS 1122 Global History since 1500
HIS 2100 Research Methods in History
HIS 2201 History of the U.S. to 1877
HIS 2202 History of the U.S. since 1887
HIS 3270 Pan African History
HIS 3301 African American History to 1877
HIS 3330 History of Modern China & Japan
HIS 4370 Recent America
IDS 1400 Introduction to Environmental Humanities
IDS 1500 Introduction to Gender and Sexuality Studies
IDS 2100 Introduction to Studies in the Humanities
IDS 4500 Senior Capstone in Humanities
PHI 2210 Survey of Global Philosophy
PHI 2230 Global Religion
PHI 2240 Critical Thinking
PHI 2250 Applied Ethics
PHI 3200 Environmental Ethics
PHI 3300 Logic and Scientific Method
PHI 3350 African American Philosophy
PHI 3500 Disciplines in Philosophy
PHI 3000 Ethic of Digital Culture
CRJ 2XXX Criminal Justice in Cybersecurity
PSC 1100 American National Government
PSC 2223 Intro to Political Science
PSY 1200 Introduction to Psychology
SOC 1105 Introduction to Sociology
SOC 1125 Social Problems
SOC 2206 Statistics in Social and Behavioral Sciences
SOC 2800 Methods of Social Research
SOC 3325 Race and Ethnic Relations
SOC 3330 Gender and Society
SOC 3343 Social Stratification
SWK 4420 Child & Family Services I
SWK 4421 Child & Family Services II
GEO 1103 World Geography: East Hemisphere
GEO 1110 Fundamentals of Geography
GEO 3313 Weather and Climate
EDP 3104 Curriculum and Instruction in Science for Primary Education
WRM 4470 Applied Remote Sensing
WRM 4402 Urban Water Problems
AGED 3100 The Adult Classroom
AGED 3115 Addressing Diverse Populations in Agriculture
AGED 4110 Student Leadership Organization
AGED 4500 Extension Internship
CPS 2271 Data Structures
CPS 4210 Artificial Intelligence
CPS 3200 Computer Algorithms
CPS 3340 Computer Architecture
CPS 4XXX Data Analysis & Visualization
INT 2311 Circuit Analysis
INT 2420 Industrial Instrumentation and Process Control
INT 2430 Electronic Devices and Circuits
MFE 4710 Measurements and Instrumentation
MFE XXXX Manufacturing Science & ERP
CPS 1000 Ethics in Computer Science
CPS 1191 Computer Science I
CPS 1192 Computer Science II
CPS 2215 Internet Web Essentials
CPS 2300 Cybersecurity I
CPS 3316 Computer Networks
CPS 3300 Cybersecurity II
CPS 3320 Database Systems
CPS 4895 Senior Project
CRJ 2210 Introduction to Criminal Justice
How we calculate aid
The government uses your FAFSA application to determine your
financial aid eligibility
and your expected family contribution (EFC), which factors in family income and the number of dependents at home and in college. To calculate your aid package, we add up your total cost of attendance, including tuition, room, board, and fees, and then subtract your EFC.
FAQs
If you are waiting for a university-funded scholarship (band, choir, housing, etc.), please be patient. The Financial Aid office has requested each of these units provide information as soon as possible, but no later than June 1. Following National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) guidelines, Athletics will provide scholarship information by July 1.
For scholarships from external sources, the Financial Aid office will add your financial aid award as soon as the Financial Aid office receives official notice of the award. You can see it under the financial aid tab in the student portal.
You can access information about the parent PLUS loan application at
https://studentaid.gov/app/launchPLUS.action?plusType=parentPlus
.
After your parents have completed the application, please notify the Financial Aid office via email
financialaid@centralstate.edu
.
This will inform the Financial Aid officer to make the necessary adjustment to your student account.
As always, if you have questions or need assistance, please reach out to us at:
financialaid@centralstate.edu
.
Complete the form below and submit it to Financial Aid with your supporting documentation.
SAP APPEAL FORM
Financial aid help
Net Price Calculator
StudentAid.gov
Make your move
Learn More
Additional Fees
On-Campus Students
$300 Late Registration Fee
$100 Continuing Student Housing deposit
$200 Late Housing Deposit
$50 Graduation Fee
$360 Books Full-Time Students
$180 Books Part-Time Students
Global Students
$100 Orientation Fee
$300 Late Registration Fee
$50 Graduation Fee
$360 Books (Full-Time Students)
$180 Books (Part-Time Students)
Commuter Students
$300 Late Registration Fee
$50 Graduation Fee
$360 Books Full-Time Students
$180 Books Part-Time Students