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2025-2026 Otterbein Scholarships & Awards

Otterbein recognizes student achievement through a variety of scholarships, talent awards and participation awards.

The Otterbein application for admission is also the application for consideration for Otterbein scholarships. The completed application, including additional materials submitted as part of the application, such as the student’s high school or college transcript(s), optional ACT or SAT scores, and recommendations may be used in scholarship decisions. Some scholarships also require submission of the FAFSA, or interviews, portfolio reviews, auditions, and/or participation in additional activities. Unless otherwise noted, Otterbein scholarships are renewable for up to eight semesters or first undergraduate degree, whichever comes first. 2.75 Otterbein GPA required for renewal.

Note: Otterbein institutional aid can never exceed the value of tuition.

Test Optional Admission and Scholarships Policy

Otterbein has adopted a test optional admission and scholarship policy. Students with high school GPA of 2.75 or lower are encouraged to submit a test score if available. Some academic programs or courses may require an ACT/ SAT score, placement score or additional pre-requisite courses for enrollment.

Visit our Test Optional Policy page for more information >

FAST FAFSA FACTS

Students admitted for Fall 2024 who filed the FAFSA received, on average, $4,207 more in Otterbein aid than families who didn't file.

Ask us how!

  • Otterbein’s FAFSA Code: 003110
  • FAFSA applications available online at studentaid.gov​: October 2024
  • FAFSA priority filing date for May 1 decision: January 31, 2025

Merit/Achievement Scholarships Starting Fall 2025

Scholarships awarded at the time of admission.

The following scholarships are awarded during the admission review process. Students cannot retroactively request consideration for these awards.

These scholarships are awarded to new, first year domestic or international undergraduate students during the admission review process. Students cannot retroactively request consideration for these awards.

Otterbein Core Scholarships:

Awarded to students who have demonstrated scholarship and leadership in high school. Consideration for these awards is based on a student’s overall application for admission. These scholarships are renewable for up to four years. These scholarships are exclusive of each other.

President’s Scholarship*

$22,000

Typically awarded to students with:

High School GPA ≥ 4.0

Four-year value = $88,000

Provost’s Scholarship*

$21,000

Typically awarded to students with:

High School GPA 3.4 – 3.99

Four-year value = $84,000

Dean’s Scholarship*

$18,000

Typically awarded to students with:

High School GPA 3.0 – 3.39

Four-year value = $72,000

Alumni Award*

$16,000

Typically awarded to students with:

High School GPA ≤ 2.99

Four-year value = $64,000

Note *: Otterbein scholarships are renewable for up to eight semesters or first undergraduate degree, whichever comes first. 2.75 Otterbein GPA required for renewal.

Otterbein Advantage Partnership Scholarship $20,000

Awarded to new first-year or transfer students at time of admission for students under the age of 23 whose parent or guardian is a qualified employee of an Otterbein Advantage Partner. Awarded in lieu of other merit awards unless student qualifies for the President’s or Provost’s Scholarship. Highest scholarship amount honored. For a complete list of qualifying partners, visit www.otterbein.edu/advantage. Four year value $80,000.

Otterbein Honoring Service Scholarship $20,000

Awarded to recipients of Folds of Honor award or the Ohio War Orphans Scholarship. Value of this award replaces other Otterbein merit aid. Four year value $80,000.

Otterbein Global Scholars Diploma $20,000

Awarded to new first year or transfer students at time of admission in lieu of other merit awards for students under the age of 23 who have successfully earned the Global Scholars Diploma through the Columbus Council on World Affairs. Four year value $80,000.

Housing Grant $2,000

Offered to students choosing to live in a university residence hall (not available for students living in University apartments, theme houses, fraternity and sorority houses, or commuting.) Renewable if student remains in eligible university housing. Stacks on base merit award.

Cardinal Lift Award $2,000

Awarded to Ohio residents who live outside of Franklin and contiguous counties. Stacks on merit awards. Not eligible for Art, Music or Theatre and Dance Talent Award recipients.

Sibling/Legacy Award $1,000

Offered to new First Year students whose parent or grandparent is an Otterbein Alumna/Alumnus or who have a sibling concurrently enrolled.

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Awards with Additional Criteria or Evaluation

Otterbein’s OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP is a statewide, full-need program that covers the direct cost of tuition, up to the student’s full financial need as determined by the FAFSA.

Awarded to:

  • Ohio residents whose families earn $60,000 or less, or
  • Ohio residents who are federal Pell grant recipient

The scholarship applies after all federal and state aid has been applied, including the federal Direct Student loan. The Opportunity Scholarship does not cover room and board or books.

Students receiving the OHIO COLLEGE OPPORTUNITY GRANT are awarded to tuition without calculating the value of the federal direct student loan into the scholarship.

Awarded to:

  • Ohio residents who are federal Pell grant recipients and who receive the Ohio College Opportunity Grant.

This NO LOAN TO TUITION program allows students to graduate debt-free, or allows the student loan to support other expenses such as room and board or text books.

Otterbein’s OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP is a statewide, full-need program that covers the direct cost of tuition, up to the student’s full financial need as determined by the FAFSA.

Awarded to:

  • Ohio residents whose families earn $60,000 or less, or
  • Ohio residents who are federal Pell grant recipient

The scholarship applies after all federal and state aid has been applied, including the federal Direct Student loan. The Opportunity Scholarship does not cover room and board or books.

Students receiving the OHIO COLLEGE OPPORTUNITY GRANT are awarded to tuition without calculating the value of the federal direct student loan into the scholarship.

Awarded to:

  • Ohio residents who are federal Pell  grant recipients and who receive the Ohio College Opportunity Grant.

This NO LOAN TO TUITION program allows students to graduate debt-free, or allows the student loan to support other expenses such as room and board or text books.

Full Tuition Scholarships

Otterbein awards three full tuition scholarships through an essay competition. The value of this award replaces all other Otterbein aid. By invitation only. Must apply by December 15.

Battelle Half Tuition Scholarship

Competitive award for student leaders from Franklin and contiguous counties. Stacks on base merit award. Value of this award replaces all other Otterbein aid. By invitation only. Must apply by December 15.

Humanities Scholars $1,000 to $3,000

Awarded to admitted Humanities students who live in the Creativity & Culture Living Learning Community or Honors housing. Requires interview. May be renewed for up to eight semesters as long as enrollment in a Humanities major is continued. Not eligible for students with Music participation award.

Admitted students in the following majors qualify for this award:

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STEM Scholarships

These awards can increase your financial aid package by $1,115 to $8,500 more. Visit our Choose Ohio First scholarships page for more information about these opportunities.

Choose Ohio First Allied Health, Equine Pre-Veterinary/Graduate Studies and Equine Veterinary Technology Scholarship — up to $8,500

Awarded to Ohio residents admitted in Allied Health, Equine Pre-Vet, or Equine Vet Tech majors. Preference given to students underrepresented in these majors based on gender, ethnicity, income level or school district. FAFSA Required. Interview Required. Renewable with 3.0 GPA and must remain in qualifying major. Priority consideration given to applications received by December 15.

Choose Ohio First Math and Nursing Scholarship — up to $8,500

Awarded to Ohio residents admitted to any major in the Mathematics and Nursing departments. Preference given to students underrepresented in these majors based on gender, ethnicity, income level or school district. FAFSA Required. Interview Required. Renewable with 3.0 GPA and must remain in STEM major. Priority consideration given to applications received by December 15.

Choose Ohio First Cardinal STEM Scholarship — up to $8,500

Awarded to Ohio residents enrolled in the following majors: Actuarial Science, Mathematics, Computer Science, Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry, Physics, Engineering Physics, Mechanical Engineering, or Systems Engineering. FAFSA Required. Interview Required. Renewable with 3.0 GPA and must remain in STEM major. Priority given to applications received by December 15.

Physics Full Tuition Scholarship

Awarded to new students majoring in Physics or Engineering Physics. Interview Required. Renewable with a 3.0 GPA and must remain in a Physics major. The value of this award replaces all other Otterbein aid.

Wiese Engineering Scholarship- amount varies

Awarded to new students majoring in Mechanical or Systems Engineering. Interview required. Must remain an engineering major to be eligible for renewal.

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Special Scholarships

Otterbein United Methodist Ministerial Grants $500 to $7,000

Awarded to Otterbein students whose parent or guardian is a United Methodist Minister and who has unmet financial need. Replaces all other Otterbein need-based aid. FAFSA Required.

Cristo Rey Columbus Affordability Commitment

Otterbein University commits to cover full unmet need to tuition for students graduating from Cristo Rey Columbus who enroll at Otterbein as new student in the Fall semester 2024 and later. Students who are recipients of both the federal Pell grant and the Ohio College Opportunity grant will be funded to tuition without the use of the federal direct student loan program.

To be awarded students must:

  • Be admitted as a first time first year or transfer undergraduate student at Otterbein for Fall 2024 or later.
  • Must file the FAFSA and send data to Otterbein University. Must complete verification process if selected. Must file the FAFSA every year to renew grant.
  • Enroll full-time (12 -18 credit hours). Students must pay additional charges if enrolling for more than 18 credit hours in a term.

Note: This award is valid for 8 semesters or first undergraduate degree, whichever comes first.

LGBTQIA Scholarship and other endowed awards

Otterbein donors provide more than $2.5 million in annual scholarship support for Otterbein students. The Otterbein application serves as the application for Otterbein endowed scholarships that are awarded through the admission process. Must apply by December 15. Some awards require interview or audition.

Yellow Ribbon Scholarship

Otterbein is proud to participate in the Yellow Ribbon GI Educational Enhancement Program which allows eligible veterans to attend Otterbein tuition free. Eligible Post 9/11 GI Bill veterans may also transfer their unused educational benefits to their spouses or children.

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Talent and Participation Awards

Talent and Participation Awards $500 to $32,000

Awarded to students majoring in Art, Communications, Music, and Theatre, or minoring in Dance. All talent and participation awards require a separate audition, portfolio review, interview and/or essay. Students must be majors in the department they are awarded a talent award. Limit of one talent award per student. Renewal criteria set by department. Students must remain a major in the awarding department.

Talent awards offered after a student has been awarded need-based aid may result in the reduction or elimination of the need-based aid.

Art

Art Talent Awards $1,000 to $8,000 

Art majors must electronically submit two images of their art work for an initial talent award of $1,000 to $3,000. Admitted students can undergo a full portfolio review with the opportunity to earn an additional $1,000 – $5,000 in talent awards.

For more information visit www.otterbein.edu/art/scholarships/art-talent-award

Music

Music Talent Awards $22,000 to $32,000

Awarded to Music majors through an audition process. Talent award is offered in lieu of other Otterbein awards or merit scholarships.

Young Artist Award $30,000

Competitively awarded to five Otterbein Music majors who excel during the audition process. Additional auditions and submissions required. Replaces all other Otterbein aid and scholarships. Must apply by December 15.

Music Participation Awards $3,000 to $6,000

Offered to non-Music majors who agree to participate in Otterbein ensembles and take required private lessons and courses. Audition required.

Athletic Band $1,000

For participants of Otterbein Athletic band. Must play woodwind, brass or percussion instrument, or be a member of color guard or twirler. Audition/tryout required.

For more information visit www.otterbein.edu/music/apply

Theatre and Dance

Theatre Talent Awards (BFA Musical Theatre and Acting) $22,000 to $32,000

Awarded to admitted students through the audition process. Talent award is offered in lieu of other Otterbein awards or merit scholarships.

Theatre Talent Awards (BFA Design Tech and BA Theatre) $3,000 to $8,000

Awarded to admitted students through portfolio review or interview. Stacks on base merit award.

Dance Talent awards $2,000 

Awarded to students minoring in Dance. Audition required.

For more information visit www.otterbein.edu/theatre-dance/apply

Communications

Communication Abilities Awards $1,000 to $3,000

Designed to recognize outstanding students interested in communications careers. Must remain a major in the Communication department and a 3.0 GPA to renew.

For more information visit www.otterbein.edu/communication/scholarships

Education

Teaching Talent Award $1,000 to $3,000

Awarded to incoming education students who have early exposure to teaching that led to college credit (e.g., CCP, CTAG). Examples of early exposure to teaching experiences include but are not limited to: Participation in your district’s Teacher Academy, taking education courses at your district’s career center, earning a grade of C or better in a CCP course in Education.

For more information contact Gaby Miller gmiller@otterbein.edu.

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Adult & Transfer Student Scholarships

All students will be considered for a transfer scholarship based off of their previous academic performance. All students are eligible to file for need-based aid by completing the FAFSA form at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.

Associate Degree Scholarship - $17,000

We want to ensure all Community College graduates from an accredited institution know they are valued and will make a great addition to the Cardinal family. Students who have already earned their Associate’s Degree with a GPA of 2.75 or higher are eligible for our Associate Degree Scholarship. Students must remain in full-time status while completing their Bachelor’s degree to maintain the Associate Degree Scholarship.

Presidential Scholarship - $16,000

Awardees have an accumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher of college level work

Provost Scholarship - $11,000

Awardees have an accumulative GPA of 2.71-3.4 of college level work

Alumni Scholarship - $8,000

Awardees have an accumulative GPA of 2.0-2.7 of college level work

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Additional Information & Resources

How much does Otterbein cost?

Most families are surprised to discover that private schools can be just as affordable as public schools.

How much will it cost?

2024-2025 Expenses
Tuition $35,024
Housing and Meals $13,026
Student Fees $524
TOTAL $48,574

And while some of our families pay a little more each year for an Otterbein education than they would at a state school, they tell us they’re still saving money the long term. Why? Otterbein students are more likely to finish on time. Four years at a slightly higher rate is still cheaper than five years someplace else.

Sticker Shock?

Most Otterbein graduates begin their careers owing much less than the average price of a new car.* Also in the “win” column, your degree won’t depreciate the minute you drive off of campus.

$48,008

*The average cost of a new car is $48,008 as of March 2024 according to data from Kelley Blue Book.

Curious about your costs? Our Financial Aid Estimator will give you a quick estimate of what your financial aid package could be:

Please answer the following questions. To receive an estimate of your Otterbein Scholarship, please submit your GPA and at least one test score. For a more complete estimate of your financial aid package, complete the last four questions as well.

Answer

This is not an application for aid and does not guarantee admissions into Otterbein University. You must complete your Admission Application to receive your scholarship offer. You must submit a FAFSA to get your need-based aid award.

If previous page did not provide SAI then. For the most accurate estimate go to studentaid.gov/aid-estimator to complete and estimate. Then report the Student Aid Index (SAI) on this Form.

Estimator
Estimated Package
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The above financial aid package is designed to give your family an estimate of how much financial assistance you may be eligible to receive for the 2024 - 2025 academic year. This tool is designed for students who will be new first-year, full-time students and is not intended for use by prospective transfer, returning, continuing, international or part-time Otterbein students. This estimate does not represent a final determination, or actual award, of financial assistance or a final net price. Costs of attendance and financial aid availability change from year to year. This is not an application for aid and does not guarantee admissions into Otterbein University.

To determine the actual assistance that you will receive from Otterbein University, you should apply for admission by December 15 of your senior year and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by January 31st. All prospective students and their parents are encouraged to complete and submit the FAFSA.

*The total cost of attendance used is based on the housing selected; Commuter ($43,904) or On-Campus ($53,600). These values include direct and indirect costs associated with being a full-time Otterbein student.

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Submit your application before December 15 to take full advantage of Otterbein’s scholarship opportunities.

Apply Now >