Scholarships
Cleveland State Community College strives to make college affordable to everyone interested in higher education. We provide scholarships to new high school graduates, transfer students, non-traditional students, low-income students, and minority students. Below you will find some information on the different scholarship programs that we offer as well as the link to apply for these scholarships.
How to Apply
All of our scholarships are available through our online scholarship application. Applicants can complete the general application for most scholarship opportunities, although some scholarships require students to answer additional questions to qualify for those funds. Students must be accepted to Cleveland State and have access to their CougarNet to apply for scholarships.
Please click the links below to view the various available scholarships and application requirements in our online scholarship application.
Available Scholarships
Online Scholarship Application
Scholarship Opportunities:
Foundation Scholarships
Each year, the Cleveland State Community College Foundation provides a number of scholarships based on academic achievement and need. Students can browse all available Foundation Scholarship awards and requirements by clicking on the "Available Scholarships" link above. Award amounts vary.
Minimum Requirements:
- 2.0 high school or college GPA
- Must enroll in at least 6 credit hours each semester
- Recipients must submit a Thank-You Letter to their scholarship donor
Presidential Honors Scholarship
The Presidential Honors Scholarship will award academically motivated students by assisting with the cost of books and other educational expenses, such as non-mandatory fees. Interested students should complete the supplemental application, which includes short essay questions and requires a letter of recommendation. Recipients of the scholarship will join the Honors College at Cleveland State. Award amount: $1,000 per semester for up to four semesters.
Minimum Requirements:
- 3.5 High School GPA required to apply
- Maintain a 3.25 college GPA
- Commit to joining the Honors College
- Enroll in at least 15 hours each semester (as needed to maintain timely progress towards
completion of degree)
Principal's Academic Service Scholarship
The Cleveland State Principal's Scholarship is awarded to graduating seniors from each high school in our 5-county service area. Scholarship recipients are selected by their high school principal and required to work 75 academic service hours per semester in an assigned office on campus. Award amount: $$750 per semester for up to 4 semesters.
Minimum Requirements:
- 3.0 high school GPA
- 19 composite ACT score
- Must enroll in at least 15 credit hours each semester
- Must complete 75 service hours each semester
Ambassadors Scholarship
The Cleveland State Ambassadors Scholarship is available to students who are accepted as part of the Ambassadors Program. Cleveland State Ambassadors serve the Office of Admissions and Recruiting as college representatives for tours, special events, school visits, and other campus functions. Students interested in this scholarship must complete an Ambassadors Program Application. Award amount: $500 per semester for up to 4 semesters.
Minimum Requirements:
- 2.5 high school or college GPA
- Must enroll in at least 12 credit hours per semester
The George R. Johnson Entrepreneurship Scholarship
The George R. Johnson Entrepreneurship Scholarship is available to incoming and current Entrepreneurship students at Cleveland State Community College. The scholarship requires an application and an interview with the Entrepreneurship program committee. Scholarship funds can be used to assist with the cost of books and other educational expenses, such as non-mandatory fees. Interested students should complete the supplemental application, which includes a short essay. Award amount: $500 per semester for up to four sequential semesters, for a total scholarship award of $2,000 over two years.
Requirements for Scholarship – To be eligible for the scholarship, students must
- Major in Entrepreneurship
- Join and actively participate in the Cleveland State Student Entrepreneurship Club
- Maintain full time enrollment status (12 credit hours or more)
Maintaining the Scholarship – Students earning the George R. Johnson scholarship are required to take a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester and maintain a 2.5 GPA. In addition, membership and active participation in the Entrepreneurship Club each semester is required to maintain eligibility.
If students who do not meet the requirements for maintaining the scholarship, either for hours per semester, GPA, or participation in the club, the student can write a letter to the Entrepreneurship committee explaining their situation and ask for a semester to reestablish the minimum requirements. The committee will review the letter and if the request is granted, the student will have one semester to correct the deficiency(s).
Access & Diversity Grant
The purpose of the Access and Diversity Grant Program is to enhance the rate of participation, progression, and completion in higher education by a diverse population of students. In general, applicants must fall into at least two of the following subpopulations to qualify: 25 years or older; low income; Academically Underprepared; African-American; Hispanic majoring in a High-Need Program; or a resident of either McMinn, Meigs, or Monroe counties. Award amounts: $1,000 per semester of full-time enrollment. $500 per semester of part-time enrollment.
Minimum Requirements:
- 2.0 high school or college GPA
- Must enroll in at least 6 credit hours per semester
Contact Information
If you have questions or need to turn in scholarship documents to the Financial Aid Office, please visit the Enrollment Services Center in the Student Center or contact us via e-mail at enroll@clevelandstatecc.edu
