<p>We just got around to checking Ohio State’s Financial Aid Offer online. Our son is an Ohio resident and NM Commended Scholar (missed NMF by only 1 question). He scored a 34 on his ACT in April of his Junior year. We don’t qualify for need based aid however we were offered student loans. Sadly, my son was offered only $3000 in merit aid. In comparison, he was awarded $23,000 each year for four years at the University of Alabama’s Honors College. </p>
<p>Our oldest is a 2010 OSU grad and received generous merit aid. Even though we live 25 minutes from OSU’s main campus, our son will NOT be attending The Ohio State University. Instead, our youngest will attend the University of Alabama, joining our middle son (current Junior (NMF) who received four years OOS tuition, four years housing, laptop, $1000 per year, a one time $2000 stipend AND book scholarship (*only books are charged to Athletics)). They will each have their own 10’ x 10’ bedroom in a four bedroom suite. Their dorm is only two years new. Sorry O-H-I-O, this household is now dominated by ROLL TIDE! </p>
<p>For those still attending The Ohio State University, welcome to Columbus!</p>
<p>My son also received an annual scholarship of 20,500 to Univ. of Alabama. Even though he received much less from Ohio, he still would much prefer to be a Buckeye. I am surprised that they don’t offer more merit aid though.</p>
<p>The merit aid from OSU for a male student who does not have a “diverse” background or is not Appalachian is terrible. Morrill is great for those who qualify…but you can’t qualify if you don’t have the “background”. </p>
<p>Alabama is really pushing to give aid to good students from out of state. The dorms for these students are awesome. I know several (Ohio) students who go there due to the aid they were given and they love it!</p>
<p>I am a non-minority, non-low-income male and I would disagree. OSU gave me full tuition from the Maximus competition. Of course, I was an NMS Finalist, so maybe I am not a “normal” student. Alabama also sent me offers about a full ride plus stipend but I chose OSU over Alabama because Ohio offered me more opportunities, esp. in the sciences. I felt free OSU is better than free Alabama plus stipend.</p>
<p>Yes the Presidential Scholarship is great. When my d tried to get it they invited 1500 students to Columbus to compete. But there were only like 10 full scholarships, and the incoming class ended up being 6000 students. She was valedictorian, 4.8 GPA lots of ec’s, and didn’t get one-only offered $2500 merit. The point is that there are few big offers of financial aid available. My d was surprised and blessed to receive a Land Grant Scholarship for full cost after we thought she’d be buried in loans.</p>
<p>Ohio State is a LARGE school. About 50% of incoming students are in the top 10% of their graduating class, almost 90% are in the top 25%, and almost 100% of students were in the top half of their graduating class. Smaller, less competitive universities can afford to give out plenty of merit based scholarships based on class rank or test scores. For example, Ohio University (in Athens, OH) automatically gives full tuition scholarships for ACT scores of 32 or higher. If OSU tried that, however, they would be giving out TONS of money because of the increasing competitiveness and academic success of students. Also, a lot of people forget that test scores and high GPA’s aren’t all that matter. A whole lot of students applying for scholarships at Ohio State are smart and have high academic statistics, so sometimes it comes down to evaluating extracurriculars, volunteer work, and what your child will add to the university or gain from attending. It may seem unfair to some people, but sometimes scholarships are awarded to students who may not be the brightest, but show growth and a whole lot of potential. Plus there are always different people reviewing different scholarships at different universities; so, what OSU may have failed to see, University of Alabama saw. I wish your son good luck at University of Alabama next year!</p>
<p>I agree. When I applies last year as an IS applicant I was expecting some merit aid from OSU. I didn’t receive that much (it was something, but I forget) and it kind of turned me off.</p>
<p>It didn’t matter though because I ended up at a much better school :D</p>
<p>Oh, I agree, screw the SEC. Cheating bastards. Let’s hope your son doesn’t get a medical exemption from Saban</p>
<p>TO NeOhio: I am a high school junior hoping to get the Land Grant Opportunity scholarship for OSU and I noticed you know about it. May I ask the needed stats for this scholarship?</p>
<p>Yes, we were very disappointed in OSU’s merit aid. As an alumni, and a resident of Ohio, I expected our DD to be offered more than the $3,000 Provost. She ultimately has decided to go to school out of state due in no small part to the lack of financial aid. I wish that more were available to keep the top students here in Ohio. Still love OSU, but wish they could have offered more.</p>
<p>Nearly 1,900 students are admitted in the Honors Program. There are only 50 Medalist and 15 Presidential scholarships available so this is now a VERY competitive process. I heard that you needed at least a 34 on ACT (and this was not even a guarantee to secure a Medalist or Presidential scholarship). Other outstanding public universities in Ohio are offering much more money for lower ACT scores.</p>
<p>I would disagree I have a friend who received a full ride to OSU through the honors program with a 25 on his ACT this year. He was also a minority so maybe that had a say in the decision.</p>
<p>^ dmcdee. That’s great news for your friend! However, an ACT of 25 for the Medallion Scholarship is probably more of an exception than the rule.</p>
<p>My son is out of state (Virginia) and received a $10,000 scholarship (think called Buckeye, but not sure) and the $3,000 Provost scholarship too. This makes attending OSU the same cost as UVA, which he has also been accepted at (EA). He wants to major in physics, and I understand that OSU has a very solid physics program. I would appreciate any insight anyone has into the OSU physics program. He also got accepted as an honors student Are all honors students guaranteed honors housing? What do people at OSU think of the program? Thanks.</p>