Midwest Initiative

We want to support students from Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, and West Virginia by guaranteeing you a four-year, $100,000 scholarship.

Midwest Initiative Overview

We support students from Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, and West Virginia by guaranteeing you a $100,000 scholarship ($25,000 each of your four years at �鶹��Ƶ).

�鶹��Ƶ is supporting students from the neighboring states of Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, and West Virginia by offering the Midwest Scholarship. This scholarship awards admitted students $25,000 per year for four years at �鶹��Ƶ. Incoming first-year students from these states simply need to submit their application for admission by December 1. There is no separate scholarship application, no application fee, and no supplemental essay. However, we strongly encourage students to visit campus and interview.

*Students participating in other programs that support tuition (e.g., tuition remission, ROTC, QuestBridge, and recipients of other full-tuition scholarships) are not eligible for the Midwest Scholarship. Students who qualify for other �鶹��Ƶ-funded scholarships will be awarded the scholarship with the highest value. As with all admitted students, �鶹��Ƶ is committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need. If a student’s demonstrated financial need hasn’t been met after accounting for the Midwest Scholarship, additional financial aid will be awarded to meet the student’s full need.

5 Reasons to Stay in the Midwest

We know there are many considerations that weigh into a student’s decision to apply to �鶹��Ƶ. One thing we regularly hear from students in Ohio and our neighboring states is that they aren’t sure they want to “stay so close to home.” We are here to tell you it is worth considering. Don’t believe us? Here are our top-five reasons to come to Ohio.

A worldly perspective. Nope, that’s not an error — ~80% of our student body comes from areas outside of Ohio and over 40% come from outside of the Midwest. Explore our Fast Facts page for more on where our students call home when not on The Hill.
Did somebody say, “Ope — let me squeeze right past ya?” We know that nothing beats good, old-fashioned Midwestern kindness, and you’ll find plenty of that in Ohio. Couple that with a good bowl of chili and your favorite flannel, and you’ll feel right at home.
An education worth seeking out. This is a simple one — �鶹��Ƶ provides incredible opportunities for students. Our next-level career exploration program, a top-tier liberal arts education, global access — shall we continue?
Your folks are nearby — but not too nearby. How does the saying go? Keep your friends close and your… Hmm. Well, we know you might want privacy and we don’t blame you, a state line makes for a great buffer, but it’s also nice that you don’t need to take a plane ride every break.
We’re investing in you. Consider this scholarship — $100,000 over four years — a gateway to pursuing your passions. It’s a green light for future you to travel, explore, inspire, engage, and create throughout the Midwest (and everywhere else).

And a BONUS Reason: Who wouldn’t want to call Ohio home? Sometimes it’s hard to see the forest for the trees—of which we have many in Ohio. �鶹��Ƶ is just 25 minutes from Columbus — one of the nation’s largest capital cities. Ohio has world-renowned medical facilities, research centers, and Fortune 500 company headquarters. Plus, seven US presidents, Paul Newman, John Legend, Neil Armstrong, Toni Morrison, the Wright Brothers, and of course Lebron James all came from this great state. There is more to Ohio than meets the I-O.

Frequently Asked Questions

Any new student enrolling at �鶹��Ƶ for the first time who has a permanent address in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, and West Virginia or who is graduating from a public or private high school in one of those states and meets the Midwest Scholarship application deadline.

All first-year applicants: December 1
Spring transfer applicants: December 1
Fall transfer applicants: March 1

Yes, you are! Transfer applicants who have a permanent address in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, and West Virginia or who have graduated from a public or private high school in one of those states are eligible for the Midwest Scholarship. Simply submit your �鶹��Ƶ Transfer Application by the deadline for the relevant semester. Supplementary materials—like transcripts—can arrive after the deadline. We require no additional essay and no application fee. That’s it!

Spring transfer applicants: December 1
Fall transfer applicants: March 1

We make this part easy! You simply apply to �鶹��Ƶ by December 1 through the regular application process. A prospective student can apply in either early decision or regular decision, but must submit their application by December 1. Supplementary materials—like transcripts and recommendations—can arrive after December 1. We require no additional essay and no application fee. That’s it! We make this part easy! You simply apply to �鶹��Ƶ by December 1 through the regular application process. A prospective student can apply in either early decision or regular decision, but must submit their application by December 1. Supplementary materials—like transcripts and recommendations—can arrive after December 1. We require no additional essay and no application fee. That’s it!

That’s fine. Students can apply in the Regular Decision round by December 1 and switch their applications to Early Decision 2 after that. To qualify for the scholarship, students need to submit their application by December 1; they still have until January 15 to change into Early Decision 2.

If you would have applied for financial aid without considering the Midwest Scholarship, then yes, you should apply for financial aid. Please keep in mind that applicants who do not apply for need-based financial aid during the admission process will not be able to apply for need-based financial aid later as a student at �鶹��Ƶ.

Students should apply for financial aid through the normal financial aid application process.

�鶹��Ƶ is committed to meeting 100% of the demonstrated financial need of all students. If a student’s demonstrated financial need hasn’t been met after accounting for the Ohio Scholarship, additional financial aid will be awarded to meet the student’s full need.

Students should apply for financial aid through the normal financial aid application process.

Yes! Students who receive scholarships through other organizations are still eligible for �鶹��Ƶ’s Midwest Scholarship. However, please keep in mind that all outside scholarships or other resources must be reported to the Office of Financial Aid. Per federal regulations, we are unable to award total financial aid in excess of our cost of attendance. If outside scholarships are large enough, it may be necessary to reduce any aid, including scholarships, received from �鶹��Ƶ to keep your total financial aid package at no more than the annual cost of attendance. You will be notified of any changes to your awards.

Absolutely! Make sure to check out our requirements for arts supplements & auditions.

�鶹��Ƶ

New �鶹��Ƶ Commitment provides price transparency for families

�鶹��Ƶ student journalists gain professional experience on the air

Announcing �鶹��Ƶ’s 2026 Young Alumni Impact Award recipients

Midwest Initiative

Midwest Initiative Overview

5 Reasons to Stay in the Midwest

Frequently Asked Questions