Financial Aid / Undergraduate

Overview

The purpose of financial aid is to help students and families meet educational expenses that cannot be met through their own resources. Financial aid can be either need-based or non-need-based. The results of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) along with the cost-of-education will determine whether or not a student has financial need.

There are several types of financial aid available. Grants and scholarships are considered “gift aid” because they generally do not have to be repaid.

Loans and employment are considered “self-help aid” because loans have to be repaid, and by working, you earn money for educational expenses. Loans are by far the largest source of financial aid for the majority of students and families.

Most grants, some loans (Subsidized Stafford and the Perkins Loan), and Federal Work-Study are need-based financial aid programs. The Unsubsidized Stafford and the Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) are considered non-need-based. Scholarships can be based upon merit, financial need or both. There are four main sources of financial aid. These include the federal government, the state government, the institution and private entities. The federal government is by far the largest source of financial aid. Approximately two-thirds of all students attending Ohio University receive some type of financial aid from one or more sources.

Visit Ohio University Financial Aid for more information.

PACE (Program to Aid Career Exploration)

This is an on-campus work program sponsored by and unique to Ohio University. PACE provides an opportunity for students to explore their career interests and to gain valuable work experience and skills before leaving college to compete in the world of work. PACE is coordinated by the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships and Career Services.

Learn more about the Program to Aid Career Exploration (PACE).

Federal Work-Study

Federal Work-Study is a federal financial aid program. It is one of the three campus-based aid programs. (Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant and Federal Perkins Loan are the other two campus-based programs.) Work-Study allows you to earn money to help pay educational expenses and encourages community service work and work related to your course of study to the extent possible.

Learn more about Ohio University Federal Work Study.

University Scholarships

University Scholarships must be applied for online at https://www-sfa.chubb.ohiou.edu/html/index.html. This is a separate application. Students must complete Ohio University’s online application and turn in the PDF of the School of Visual Communication’s application to be eligible for VisCom’s Scholarships (see below).

Apply for University Scholarships.

School of Visual Communication Scholarships

The School of Visual Communication also offers a variety of scholarships for sophomores, juniors, seniors, and graduate students. These scholarships require an application are awarded during the spring semester. Scholarship applications are available in the office of the School of Visual Communication, Schoonover 250, or via email.

Completed applications must be printed and submitted to Prof. Sam Girton (girton@ohio.edu), Schoonover 262.