International Scholarships
The University of Cincinnati offers exceptional value for your educational pursuits as a top 100 public university situated in a vibrant city. We take pride in hosting one of the leading Co-Operative (Co-Op) education programs in the United States. Our commitment extends to providing competitive, merit-based scholarships for undergraduate international students.
It's important to note that we do not offer full-tuition ("full ride") or need-based scholarships to undergraduate international students.
International Outreach Scholarships
The primary scholarship available to international students is the International Outreach Award.
The award values range from $5,000 to $15,000 per year for students studying on the Uptown (Main) Campus, contingent on various factors, including academic performance. For students studying on a regional campus (UC Blue Ash or UC Clermont), awards range from $2,000 to $4,000 per year.
Application Process
There is no separate application for International Outreach Awards; eligibility is automatically reviewed based on admission application materials.
Notification
Students will be informed of their International Outreach Award, if applicable, shortly after receiving their admission notification.
First-Year Student Information
- International Outreach Awards are granted to students residing outside the United States or international students living in the United States and being charged non-resident (or “out of state”) tuition and pursuing on-campus undergraduate degrees. Both First-Year students and Transfer students are eligible.
- These awards can only be applied to the Non-Resident Surcharge on a student’s bill. As a result, International Outreach Awards cannot be applied to the Instructional Fee (or “in-state tuition”) portion of a student’s bill.
The International Outreach Award requires a minimum (unweighted) cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for consideration. GPA is one of several factors used in determining award eligibility so GPA alone does not guarantee a student will receive an International Outreach Award.
Students required to submit proof of English proficiency (such as IELTS, SAT, or TOEFL scores) must provide official test scores directly from the testing agency. If a student is exempt from submitting English proficiency test scores, eligibility will include review of the student’s cumulative GPA as well as review of their particular English courses and grades earned in those courses.
- August 1 - December 1: Most generous scholarship awards
- December 2 - February 1: Scholarship awards to exceptional students
- February 2 - April 1: Scholarship awards based on funding availability
Transfer Student Information
Students are eligible for our scholarships if they are 1 of the following:
- International transfer students who have completed (or are completing) an Associate’s degree from an accredited university or community college in the U.S. or outside of the U.S.
- International transfer students who earned at least 24 semester hours of university level course credit at a university outside of the U.S.
- English proficiency tests are not required if students complete UC equivalent English Composition I (ENGL1001) course with a B grade or higher at a regionally accredited US institution.
- Students studying in the US must either earn an Associate's degree or have taken 24 credit hours in the U.S. to qualify.
If you are admitted through an articulation agreement, the terms of the agreement will determine your scholarship amount and eligibility. Please review the agreement to find the details of your specific scholarship award. The terms of these agreements and scholarship awards are non-negotiable. For any clarification, you can reach out to international.admissions@uc.edu.
Scholarships for international transfer students are available in the range of $5,000 to $15,000 per year and are renewable for two to three years or the completion of your bachelor degree. This special scholarship is called the UC International Outreach award. Your scholarship application is your online transfer application and the requirements and eligibility to receive scholarship include but are not guaranteed at a 3.0 cumulative university/college GPA (on a 4.0 scale) and high English grade or English test score marks. You also must have earned at least 24 semester hours of university or college education before you are eligible for this scholarship. Please submit all transcripts, course evaluations and any necessary English test scores before the application deadline of your desired start term and automatically be considered for this special scholarship! If you are selected for this scholarship, you will be notified the same day as your offer of admission is emailed to you.
3.00 minimum cumulative GPA at university or community college and:
- TOEFL iBT: 79 Overall
- PTE: 53
- IELTS: 6.0 Overall (minimum 5.5 on each subsection)
- ELS: Graduate from session 112
- Duolingo (DET) 100 overall
English proficiency tests are not required if students complete UC equivalent English Composition I (ENGL1001) course with a B grade or higher at a regionally accredited US institution.
- March 1: Applicants to College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP)
- June 1: Applicants to College of Engineering and Applied Science
- July 1: Applicants to all other colleges
Review Process
There is not a separate application for UC's International Scholarships. All international students who are offered admission to the University of Cincinnati are automatically considered based on their application and required application materials. Students should submit all application materials before the program priority deadline in order to receive maximum consideration.
Students are notified of the scholarship awards with the admission decision online and by mail.
Renewing Scholarships
International Outreach Awards are generally renewable for a total of 8 academic semesters for students entering as first-year (or “freshmen”) and for 4 – 6 semesters for students enrolling as transfer students. Note that students must meet the renewal criteria outlined in their award letter.
Important Notes
Students are required to promptly notify the Student Financial Aid Office (sfaocsc@ucmail.uc.edu) of any additional scholarships received, and they should be aware that simultaneous scholarships or tuition assistance from UC colleges, programs, or departments may impact the scholarship's value.
Students are required to notify the International Admissions Office if there is a change in residency determination. If a student’s residency is changed from non-resident, to Ohio resident, the Non-Resident Surcharge will be removed from their bill and the International Outreach Award will be removed as well. (This applies to a small number of students.)
The scholarship can be used for a maximum of eight in-class semesters, and specific terms and conditions apply, including restrictions on study abroad or student exchange programs. It's crucial for recipients to review and understand the terms outlined in their signed acceptance form to ensure ongoing eligibility and compliance.