Cleveland State University will begin offering free tuition to eligible first-year students from Ohio starting next year. The university's Board of Trustees recently approved the new initiative, called the Cleveland State Commitment.
This program is designed for incoming first-year students who are Ohio residents, have maintained at least a 3.0 GPA, and come from families with an adjusted gross income of $125,000 or less. For those who qualify, tuition will be covered for up to eight consecutive semesters.
Cleveland State will pay any remaining tuition costs after federal and state grants and scholarships have been applied. To determine eligibility each year, students will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Continued eligibility requires students to maintain a 2.0 GPA, remain enrolled full-time, and meet the family income requirement.
University President Laura Bloomberg issued a statement explaining that college education costs have made the dream unattainable for many Ohio families. She added that the university believes access and excellence are connected, and the commitment aims to reward hard work by providing financial help for those who need it most.
Ohio Department of Higher Education Chancellor Mike Duffey also voiced his support in a statement, noting that Cleveland State is offering the financial predictability Ohio students and families desire from higher education. He added that if students meet academic standards and demonstrate financial need, Cleveland State will cover four years of tuition, calling it a strong initiative.
It is important to note that the Cleveland State Commitment exclusively covers tuition. It does not extend to other college expenses such as housing, meals, books, transportation, or any program-specific fees. Current undergraduate tuition for a full-time, in-state student at Cleveland State is $6,828.00.
According to the Ohio Department of Higher Education, Cleveland State’s enrollment has experienced a decline. The university's new commitment follows a trend among other Ohio institutions also looking to address college affordability.
For instance, the University of Akron provides free tuition to new, transfer, and continuing in-state students from families with an income of $85,000 or less. Shawnee State University’s Free Tuition Guarantee covers full tuition for first-time, full-time freshmen who qualify for a Pell Grant and reside in specific counties. This includes Scioto, Lawrence, Adams, Pike, Jackson, Ross, Gallia, Brown, Highland, and Vinton counties in Ohio, along with Greenup, Boyd, or Lewis Counties in Kentucky.
Additionally, Columbus State Community College students can complete their bachelor’s degree tuition-free at Ohio State University beginning this semester through a new program called the Buckeye Bridge.
Jennifer Tisone Price, executive director of the Ohio Conference of the American Association of University Professors, stated that making college affordable and accessible to everyone is important. However, she also raised questions regarding how these programs are funded, emphasizing the need to ensure faculty are not negatively impacted.
The issue of college costs remains significant for many Ohioans. Data from the Education Data Initiative indicates that approximately 1.78 million student borrowers reside in Ohio, with an average student loan debt of $35,072. The data also shows that nearly half of Ohio's borrowers are under 35 years old, and 15% of all Ohio residents carry student loan debt. About one-fifth of Ohio borrowers owe between $20,000 and $40,000.
