Cleveland State University Announces the Cleveland State Commitment: $0 Tuition for Hardworking Ohio Students
Cleveland State University today announced the Cleveland State Commitment, approved this morning by the University's Board of Trustees, a promise of $0 tuition for qualified Ohio students. Beginning in fall 2027, incoming first-year students who graduate high school in spring 2027 with a 3.0 GPA or higher, and whose families have an adjusted gross income of $125,000 or less, will pay no tuition for up to eight consecutive semesters.
CSU will cover any tuition remaining after federal and state grants and scholarships are applied. Students determine eligibility by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
"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," said CSU President Laura Bloomberg. "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."
A promise for most Ohio families
About 73% of Ohio households earn $125,000 or less. The Cleveland State Commitment is designed to reach families in the middle, particularly those earning $75,000 to $125,000 who often receive little federal or state grant aid but still find college costs out of reach. CSU's income threshold is higher than comparable programs at other Ohio public universities, including the University of Akron's, which is capped at $85,000.
The need is real. College costs have never been higher, and many students are choosing to go straight into the workforce. Yet according to Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce, the median lifetime earnings of a college graduate are $1.2 million higher than those of someone with only a high school diploma.
“Cleveland State University is providing the certainty Ohio students and families want from higher education,” said Mike Duffey, Chancellor of the Ohio Department of 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.”
Developing Ohio talent
Through CSU's newly launched Talent Hub, Cleveland State Commitment students will graduate free of tuition debt and with hands-on work experience in Cleveland, positioning them for high-paying jobs after graduation.
"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," said Chad Warren, Vice President of Advancement and Executive Director of the CSU Foundation. "It is an opportunity commitment, not just a tuition discount, made possible by Cleveland State scholarships and generous donors, foundations and community partners."
Eligibility at a glance
- Ohio resident entering CSU as a new, full-time, degree-seeking first-year student beginning in fall 2027
- Spring 2027 high school graduate with a GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Family adjusted gross income of $125,000 or less, confirmed each year through the FAFSA
- CSU covers any tuition remaining after federal and state grants and scholarships are applied
- Students remain eligible by maintaining a 2.0 GPA, full-time enrollment and the income requirement
The Cleveland State Commitment covers tuition. It does not cover housing, meals, books, transportation or program-specific fees. It does not apply to transfer students or students currently enrolled. The Cleveland State Commitment builds on, and does not replace, the many forms of financial assistance CSU already offers. Students who do not qualify, including transfer and current students, can still explore scholarships, grants and other aid at csuohio.edu/financial-aid.
Donors, foundations and corporations interested in supporting the Cleveland State Commitment can contact Chad Warren, Vice President of Advancement, at chad.warren@csuohio.edu or 216-523-7252.
Students and families can learn more and see if they may qualify at csuohio.edu/ cleveland-state-commitment or by registering to attend our campus Fall Visit Day tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 10, at go.csuohio.edu/portal/fallvisitday.