Types of Aid
Sources of funding to support the cost of college education include grants, loans, and scholarships.
Federal Grant and Loan Programs
The federal government provides various student financial aid programs to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access. These programs include loans and grants.
Loans must be paid back. They include:
Federal Stafford Loan Program
Federal Direct Stafford loans (subsidized and unsubsidized) are low-interest loans made to students attending school on at least a half-time basis. At Cincinnati State, half-time means enrolled for at least six eligible credit hours per semester. Students may receive student loans only up to 150 percent of their academic program of study. Students are not required to make payments on subsidized or unsubsidized loans while enrolled at least half-time (six or more credit hours). Students are responsible for the interest that accrues on an unsubsidized loan. An option to have the interest capitalized on an unsubsidized loan is available.
At Cincinnati State, all first-time borrowers are required to complete an online loan entrance counseling session and Master Promissory Note (MPN) in order to receive loan proceeds. Students access the loan counseling session and MPN at www.studentloans.gov. Students interested in a loan must also complete a loan acceptance e-form and complete an F.L.Y. financial literacy session via MyServices.
Federal PLUS Loans – Loans for Parents
Federal PLUS loans enable parents of dependent students with good credit histories to borrow funds to help pay their child’s educational costs. The student for whom a PLUS loan is borrowed must attend school on at least a half-time basis. To apply, parents should complete a prescreening for eligibility at www.studentloans.gov. In the event a parent is declined a PLUS loan, the student may qualify for additional unsubsidized loan funds. Cincinnati State will receive acknowledgement of the status of the loan when complete.
Grants do not need to be paid back. They include:
Federal Pell Grant
Pell Grants are awarded to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need based on their Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The annual maximum Pell Grant is determined each year by the federal government. Pell Grants may be awarded to both full-time and part-time students and are pro-rated based on attendance. Eligible students may receive up to six years at full-time status, or 600% of their eligibility.
Federal Work-Study
Federal Work-Study provides jobs for students with financial need, allowing them to defray educational expenses. The amount a student earns may not exceed the Work-Study award. When assigning work hours, supervisors consider a student’s class schedule, Work-Study award amount, and employer needs. Work-Study awards are offered first to students with exceptional financial need. Priority is given to students who have completed their financial aid file by February 15 of each year. Funding is limited and is awarded based on the availability of funds. This program is intended to help train students for the labor market as well as meet their financial needs.
Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
SEOG is for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need who are eligible to receive a Pell Grant. Priority for SEOG at Cincinnati State is given to students who have completed their financial aid file by February 15 of each year. Applying by February 15 does not guarantee receipt of SEOG for the upcoming academic year. Funding is limited and is awarded based on the availability of funds. SEOG may be awarded to both full-time and part-time students and is pro-rated based on attendance.
Ohio State Grant Programs
The Ohio Department of Higher Education administers several state financial aid programs that provide assistance to college students based on a variety of criteria, ranging from need to academic achievement. More information on these programs is available at www.ohiohighered.org/sgs.
Nurse Education Assistance Loan Program (NEALP)
The purpose of the NEALP is to provide financial assistance to students enrolled in approved nurse education programs in Ohio institutions and to encourage students to remain in Ohio as they enter the nursing profession. NEALP loans are limited to students in the RN (Nursing associate's degree) program and are $3,000 per year for a maximum of four years.
Repayment of a NEALP loan is cancelled on an annual basis though service as a full-time nurse in Ohio. More information is available at www.ohiohighered.org/nealp.
Ohio Academic Scholarship
The Ohio Academic Scholarship program provides scholarships for up to four years for academically outstanding Ohio high school graduates on a competitive basis. The program’s objective is to encourage Ohio students to attend an Ohio college or university. Ohio’s academically top-ranked students are eligible and should contact their high school guidance counselor for more information.
Ohio Safety Officers Tuition Waiver
This program provides tuition assistance to the children and spouses of peace officers, fire fighters, and certain other safety officers who are killed in the line of duty, anywhere in the United States.
The program also provides assistance to the children and spouses of a member of the armed forces of the U.S. who has been killed in the line of duty during Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or a combat zone designated by the President of the United States. The child is eligible for this program only if he or she is not eligible for the Ohio War Orphans Scholarship. More information is available at www.ohiohighered.org/safety-officers-college-fund.
Ohio War Orphan’s Scholarship
The Ohio War Orphan’s Scholarship program awards tuition assistance to the children of deceased or severely disabled Ohio veterans who served in the armed forced during a period of declared war or conflict. To receive War Orphan's Scholarship benefits, a student must be enrolled for full-time undergraduate study at an eligible Ohio college or university. Ohio residency is required. Applicants must be under the age of 25. Scholarship benefits cover a portion of instructional and general fee charges at two- and four-year public institutions and a portion of these charges at eligible private colleges and universities. More information is available at www.ohiohighered.org/ohio-war-orphans.
Choose Ohio First Scholarship Program
The Choose Ohio First Scholarship Program awards Ohio colleges, universities and their business partners that have developed innovative academic programs to recruit and retain more Ohio students in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medical (STEMM) fields. Funding that these programs receive is used to offer scholarships to current and potential students. More information is available at www.chooseohiofirst.org.
Other Financial Aid Programs
Cincinnati State Scholarship Program
The purpose of the scholarship program at Cincinnati State is to acknowledge and reward high academic achievement by helping deserving students finance their college educational costs. Current information about institutional scholarships and the application process is in the Scholarships section of the College website.
The Cincinnati State scholarship application deadline date is February 15 of each calendar year. Recipients of a scholarship from Cincinnati State must reapply each year.
Scholarship eligibility requirements include:
- U.S. citizenship or eligible non-citizen
- Accepted for enrollment into a degree or eligible certificate program prior to application deadline. Students are encouraged to apply early, at least 6 to 8 weeks prior to the scholarship deadline. In most cases this will allow enough time to complete the admission process.
- Minimum grade point average of 2.0 is required for most scholarships. (However, many scholarships require at least a 3.0 GPA.)
- Applicants must have their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) results on file.
- One professional letter of recommendation, delivered in an electronic format. Some scholarship opportunities may require additional documentation at the discretion of the donor.
- Completed electronic application.
Students who meet the eligibility criteria and complete all requirements to apply for a scholarship by February 15 each year (no exceptions) are considered for all scholarships for which they are eligible. The number and types of scholarships vary from year to year, depending on donations received for the scholarship program.
Other (Non-Cincinnati State) Scholarship Opportunities
The public library is an excellent source of information on private sources of financial aid. Many companies have programs to help pay the costs of post-secondary education for employees and their family members. In addition, financial assistance is available from many foundations, religious organizations, fraternities, sororities, town and city clubs, local school boards, and civic groups. Information about these scholarships is available at no cost via the internet.
Students are also encouraged to review additional information in the External Scholarship Opportunities section of the College website.