Cleveland State University introduces $0 tuition through Cleveland State Commitment

Cleveland State University has announced a free tuition initiative called the Cleveland State Commitment that will provide eligible Ohio residents with $0 tuition for up to eight semesters. The initiative was recently approved by the University's Board of Trustees and beginning with the Fall 2027 semester, qualifying students will pay nothing for their university education.

According to an article on Cleveland State University's website, university President Laura Bloomberg was quoted as saying of the initiative, "For too long now, the dream of a college education has not been possible for many Ohio families simply due to the cost. That ends with the Cleveland State Commitment. We firmly believe that access and excellence are fundamentally linked. The Cleveland State Commitment rewards hard work by opening doors and providing a financial boost for those who need it most." 

In order to be eligible to take advantage of the Cleveland State Commitment, students must be residents of Ohio who are entering the university as a new, full-time, degree-seeking first-year student in the Fall 2027 semester. They must be a Spring 2027 high school graduate with a grade point average of 3.0 or above. The student must come from a family whose adjusted gross income is less than $125,000. In order to remain eligible, students must maintain a 2.0 GPA, full-time enrollment, and the income requirement.

The Cleveland State Commitment is a last-dollar financial award, meaning it will cover any remaining tuition after all other financial aid, scholarships, and grants are applied to the student’s bill. It will cover tuition only, and students remain responsible for housing, meals, books, transportation, and program-specific fees. Transfer students or already-enrolled students are not eligible for the Cleveland State Commitment.

Mike Duffey, Chancellor of the Ohio Department of Higher Education, said, “Cleveland State University is providing the certainty Ohio students and families want from higher education. If you make the grade and have demonstrated need, Cleveland State will pick up the full cost of tuition for four years. This is a great initiative and I strongly support it.”

Chad Warren, who serves as the Vice President of Advancement and Executive Director of the CSU Foundation, added, "The Cleveland State Commitment rewards student effort, gives hardworking Ohio families greater certainty and invests in the talent Cleveland and the state of Ohio need most. It is an opportunity commitment, not just a tuition discount, made possible by Cleveland State scholarships and generous donors, foundations and community partners." 

For more information about Cleveland State University, visit the school’s website.