CLEVELAND — While many families across Northeast Ohio are struggling financially amid the COVID-19 crisis, Cleveland State University is hoping to encourage future students with a unique path that may also provide additional support.
On Monday, Cleveland State announced its new "2-for-1 Tuition Promise" program which will provide all students who enroll at CSU as new freshmen and successfully complete Fall Semester 2020 with a GPA of 2.75 or better, to enroll in Spring Semester 2021 tuition free, after other financial aid has been applied.
CSU announced that " initiative is designed to provide additional financial support and encouragement at a time when many families are struggling, and also to incentivize students to pursue their college dreams now."
Cleveland State President Harlan Sands welcomed the idea of this unique opportunity.
"We are acutely aware that this is no ordinary time, and the financial, emotional and health-related pressures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic are putting significant additional stress on high school seniors and their families,” Sands said. “Our 2-for-1 Tuition Promise is specifically designed to make the entire college-going process easier, while reducing the financial burden for families and incentivizing students to succeed.”
“This is not a typical year for any of us,” Sands added. “Our aim is to ensure that a transition to CSU includes a strong financial incentive for these students and families, especially during this time of uncertainty.”
In addition to the 2-for-1 promise for freshmen, CSU will launch several new initiatives in 2020 alongside existing programs to ensure access to higher education is affordable:
- Degree-seeking undergraduate students returning to CSU for the Fall 2020 semester and enrolled for at least 12 credits and earning a 3.0 GPA or higher, will receive a $150 Campus Bookstore credit for Spring Semester 2021.
- Non-Ohio residents interested in earning a graduate degree will pay in-state tuition at CSU if they have earned a bachelor’s degree from an Ohio college or university.
- CSU considers military service members on active duty, as well as their spouses and dependents, as Ohio residents for the purposes of qualifying for in-state tuition.
- CSU will invest an additional $2 million in need-based financial aid for the 2020-2021 academic year.
- CSU invests over $11 million anually in scholarhips and grants for returning students, including Radiance Scholarships for students within 60 credits of graduating. Thanks to the generosity of CSU’s large donor base, the Radiance program has raised nearly $10 million since 2011 to keep upper level students on track to graduation.
- Through the Federal CARES Act and private donations, CSU has already awarded over $4.1 million in Lift Up Vikes Grants to continuing undergraduate, graduate and law school students.