Scholarships
Most new students don't pay full price. Over 90% of new undergraduates receive scholarships or other state and federal aid.
Scholarships are a great way to help pay for college. Many scholarships are based on your financial need. But you can earn scholarships for all sorts of other things ― your grades, your major or where you’re from.
The key to scholarships ― doing your homework! Review Student Financial Aid’s Important Dates to make sure you don’t miss priority and final deadlines to apply for scholarships.
Types of Scholarships
UToledo Scholarships
These are sometimes called institutional scholarships. They can be:
- Merit-based – based on grades
- Need-based – based on your financial need
Need-based Scholarships
Fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). The FAFSA is required for any need-based scholarships and other federal need-based aid like loans, grants and work-study.
Donor Scholarships
Generous donors provide hundreds of scholarships. Many of the scholarships are specific to certain colleges and majors. Donors decide the eligibility criteria.
Visit the University of Toledo Scholarship Portal to explore and apply for donor scholarships offered by your program or department. You can customize searches using a variety of criteria, review scholarship eligibility requirements and access applications.
- Pay attention to the deadlines. They vary by scholarship.
- Some donor scholarships are need-based. To receive consideration, you must complete a FAFSA.
- Complete all requirements required on the application. Each scholarship has its own requirements
Outside Scholarships
These are scholarships you receive from non-UToledo sources:
- Banks and credit unions
- Employers
- Churches
- Civic groups, like the Kiwanis or Knights of Columbus
Special Scholarships
Choose Ohio First
The Choose Ohio First is a state scholarship program that awards scholarships to students majoring in STEM-H (science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and health related fields. Scholarships are based on merit. Learn more about eligibility and the application process.
Office of Competitive Fellowships
The Office of Competitive Fellowships can help you apply for fellowships and prestigious scholarships like the Rhodes and Fulbright
Emergency funds
You can apply for additional aid if you experience a financial emergency. All you need to do is fill out a Rocket Aid application.
Study abroad
Learn about a variety of ways to fund a study abroad experience.
Scholarship Search Websites
We also recommend the following websites:
*NOTE: Scholarship applications should never require a fee.
How are Scholarships Awarded and Paid?
How do I know if i earned a scholarship?
- Merit scholarships are awarded automatically if you qualify when you apply for admission to UToledo.
- Merit scholarships and donor scholarships also are listed in your financial aid offer. We begin posting post aid offer in myUT in March. Most donor scholarships are awarded by June 1.
- As additional funds become available, scholarships may be periodically re-awarded throughout the school year. Notifications may occur at any time, so be sure to regularly check your Rocket email account.
- Scholarship funds are used to pay tuition and other allowable charges on your account.
How do scholarships from an outside organization work?
If you receive scholarships from a source other than The University of Toledo, follow these steps to make sure the funds are credited to your account:
- Notify the Office of Student Financial Aid of any outside scholarships you expect to receive and include your name and Rocket number on all correspondence.
- Email a copy of your award letter from each scholarship sponsor to UTScholarships@utoledo.edu.
- Mail a paper copy to The University of Toledo Scholarship Services. Mail Stop 314, 2801 W. Bancroft St, Toledo, OH 43606.
- Ask sponsors to include your name and Rocket number on your check and send to The University of Toledo Scholarship Services. Mail Stop 314, 2801 W. Bancroft St, Toledo, OH 43606.
- Submit scholarship checks in person at Rocket Solution Central (RSC) in Rocket Hall, Room 1200.
- If the check is made out to you and The University of Toledo, endorse the check and include your Rocket number so we can apply it to your student account.
- If the check is made payable to you, it is your responsibility to notify the Office of Student Financial Aid that you received the scholarship and use it to pay any outstanding balance on your student account, before using it toward additional costs.
- Outside scholarship checks are deposited and applied to student accounts weekly, or more frequently during peak times.
- Unless we receive specific instructions from you or the sponsor, scholarships of less than $500 will be applied in full to the fall semester; scholarships of $500 or more will be divided evenly between fall and spring semesters.
- We list scholarships as refundable if:
- The accompanying documentation states the funds can be used for supplies or living expenses (housing and food)
- No instructions are included with the scholarship check
- The scholarship will be marked as nonrefundable if the donor states the check is to be:
- Used for tuition or tuition and books only
- Returned if there are unused funds after all UToledo charges have been paid
- For non-refundable scholarships that may be used for books, donors must designate a specific dollar amount to be transferred to your Rocket card for use at the book store. The remaining balance will be applied to your UToledo charges.
How are Scholarships Maintained?
- Most scholarships automatically renew if you meet the renewal requirements. Many require you to maintain a specific GPA and earn a specific number of credit hours each year.
- Make sure you review your renewable scholarships’ terms and conditions Terms and conditions vary from scholarship to scholarship.
If you don’t fulfill your responsibilities as listed in the terms and conditions, you may lose all or a portion of your scholarships.