Affordable, world-class education starts here. Explore scholarships, grants, co-op earnings and financial aid options that help you make college possible and practical.
Whether you’re just beginning your Bearcat journey or returning for another semester, UC offers resources to make your education affordable. Learn how to apply for financial aid, discover scholarships and explore co-op opportunities that help offset tuition costs.
Explore your options: Select a resource below to apply for aid, search scholarships or estimate your costs.
Follow these simple steps to get started with grants, loans, and work-study programs.
The only application necessary in the financial aid process is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA opens on October 1 before the upcoming academic year and must be completed annually. We recommend completing it as soon as possible, as it determines your eligibility for the following:
Your financial aid offer may include any or a combination of the above funding sources. To see if you’re eligible for financial aid, view the requirements.
Need-based awards that don’t require repayment.
Grants are offered to students based on financial need, often determined through the FAFSA. These funds come from federal, state, or UC sources and don’t need to be repaid.
Learn more about need-based aid through Student Financial Aid.
Borrowed funds you repay after graduation.
Student loans can help cover educational costs not met by grants or scholarships. Federal loans typically offer lower interest rates and flexible repayment options compared to private loans. Always borrow only what you need, and explore UC’s counseling resources before accepting a loan offer.
Review loan options on UC's Student Loan page.
Earn money through part-time campus jobs.
The Federal Work-Study Program provides part-time employment for eligible students with financial need, helping you earn money to cover everyday expenses while gaining valuable experience. Positions are available on campus and with approved community partners.
Learn more about UC's Work-Study programs.
Offset costs while gaining real-world experience.
UC’s renowned and nationally-ranked cooperative education (co-op) program lets you balance classroom learning with paid, professional work in your field. Most students can earn significant income while building their resume and network.
Explore opportunities on the Co-op & Experience-Based Learning page.
| When | Event |
|---|---|
| Junior year in high school | Begin scholarship search process |
| Mid-August | Apply to UC |
| October 1 | FAFSA available annually October 1 |
| December 1 | Complete annual FAFSA by this date for priority consideration for limited funding sources |
| Mid-February | Initial Financial Aid Award Offers sent to students with complete records. Award Offers are sent continually as admission offers are made, FAFSA data is received and students provide supplemental information. Use Check My Aid to monitor your aid status. |
| Mid-March | Summer registration begins |
| After accepting aid | New UC loan borrowers complete loan counseling and promissory note(s) |
| Early April | Summer bills will begin being produced for students who are registered |
| June | Orientation including fall registration |
| July 1 | FAFSA and aid-related tasks in Catalyst should be submitted by this date. Students may continue to apply and complete tasks after this date though aid may not be processed by the time fall payment is due. |
| Mid-July | Fall bills produced for students who are registered |
| Mid- August | Postings of jobs for Federal Work-Study awardees available |
| Late August | Fall semester classes begin |
| October 1 | Complete FAFSA for next year's aid |
| When | Event |
|---|---|
| October 1 | FAFSA available annually October 1 |
| December 1 | Complete annual FAFSA by this date for priority consideration for limited funding sources |
| Mid-March | Summer registration begins |
| Late March | Initial Financial Aid Award Offers sent to students with complete records. Award Offers are sent continually as FAFSA data is received and students provide supplemental information, if requested. Use Check My Aid to monitor your aid status. |
| After accepting aid |
New UC loan borrowers complete loan counseling and promissory note(s) |
| Early April | Summer bills will begin being produced for students who are registered |
| Mid-April | Fall registration begins |
| Late May | Evaluation of eligibility for aid based on academic progress |
| July 1 | FAFSA and aid-related tasks in Catalyst should be submitted by this date. Students may continue to apply and complete tasks after this date though aid may not be processed by the time fall payment is due. |
| Mid-July | Fall bills will begin being produced for students who are registered |
| Mid- August |
Postings of jobs for Federal Work-Study awardees available |
| Late August | Fall semester classes begin |
| October 1 | Complete FAFSA for next year's aid |
| When | Event |
|---|---|
| October 1 | FAFSA available annually each October 1 |
| December 1 | Complete annual FAFSA by this date for priority consideration for limited funding sources |
| Mid-February | (For new law students only) Initial Financial Aid Award Offers sent to students with complete records. Award Offers are sent continually as admission offers are made, FAFSA data is received, and students provide supplemental information, if requested. Use Check My Aid to monitor your aid status. |
| Mid-March | Summer registration begins |
| Late March | Initial Financial Aid Award Offers sent to students with complete records. Award Offers are sent continually as FAFSA data is received and students provide supplemental information, if requested. Use Check My Aid to monitor your aid status. |
| When accepting aid |
Estimate your bill to understand amount needed to cover your expenses and plan for any out-of-pocket expenses |
| After accepting aid |
New UC loan borrowers complete loan counseling and promissory note(s) |
| Early April | Summer bills will begin being produced for students who are registered |
| Mid-April | Fall registration begins |
| Late May | (For continuing students only) Evaluation of eligibility for aid based on academic progress |
| July 1 | FAFSA and aid-related tasks in Catalyst should be submitted by this date to ensure completion of the full process in time for fall bill payment due date. Students may continue to apply and completed tasks after this date though aid may not be processed by the time fall payment is due. |
| Mid-July | Fall bills will begin being produced for students who are registered |
| Mid- August |
Postings of jobs for Federal Work-Study awardees available |
| Late August | Fall semester classes begin |
| October 1 | Complete FAFSA for next year's aid |
To receive aid at the University of Cincinnati, you will need to add Cincinnati to the list of schools for which you are requesting aid.
University of Cincinnati's school code: 003125.
If requesting by phone, have a copy of your Student Aid Report (SAR) with you. If you do not have a copy of the form, you will need to request a duplicate by mail. After you receive it, you can call back and add Cincinnati to your report.
For information on scholarships for transfer students at UC, visit our transfer scholarships page.
| When | Event |
|---|---|
| October 1 | FAFSA available annually each October 1 |
| December 1 | Complete annual FAFSA by this date for priority consideration for limited funding sources |
| Mid-February | Initial Financial Aid Award Offers sent to students with complete records. Award Offers are sent continually as admission offers are made, FAFSA data is received, and students provide supplemental information, if requested. Use Check My Aid to monitor your aid status. |
| Mid-March | Summer registration begins |
| When accepting aid |
Estimate your bill to understand amount needed to cover your expenses and plan for any out-of-pocket expenses |
| After accepting aid |
New UC loan borrowers complete loan counseling and promissory note(s). |
| April 30 | Admission application deadline for scholarship consideration |
| July 1 | FAFSA and aid-related tasks in Catalyst should be submitted by this date to ensure completion of the full process in time for fall bill payment due date. Students may continue to apply and completed tasks after this date though aid may not be processed by the time fall payment is due. |
| Mid-July | Fall bills will begin being produced for students who are registered |
| Mid- August |
Postings of jobs for Federal Work-Study awardees available |
| Late August | Fall semester classes begin |
| October 1 | Complete FAFSA for next year's aid |
Scholarships at the University of Cincinnati are funds that are awarded to students toward their academic careers. They are based on academic achievements or other merit-based criteria and do not need to be repaid. The two types of scholarships at UC are:
Traditional freshmen applying to the University of Cincinnati are automatically considered for all scholarships they are eligible for through the online UC application.
To apply for external scholarships, we encourage current students to take advantage of our new “Scholarship Search” tile in Catalyst to get matched and apply to external scholarships.
We’re committed to creating opportunities for Cincinnati Public School (CPS) students that support college readiness, access and success. Visit UC's CPS Strong initiative to learn more about scholarships and grants available for CPS students.
The University of Cincinnati Co-op Program allows students to jumpstart their careers and cut costs. With education-based learning at its core, students who co-op earn credit toward their degree while working paid jobs in their field of study.
Some of the ways cooperative education will reduce your student loans while you’re still in college include:
Currently, there are over 8,300 paid student Co-op opportunities provided by 1,757 industry partners. In 2024-25, UC students have collectively earned $94 million in co-op earnings.
I loved that my semesters alternated between co-oping and taking classes. It allowed me to learn new material in class to apply to my next co-op, and then gain real working experience to take back and apply to my studies. I can confidently interview for a full-time position, knowing exactly how I want to start my career as a young professional.
Kristin McArthur '18
| Year | Tuition & Fees | Housing | Meal Plan | Coop Earnings | Scholarships |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freshman | $13,176 | $7,642 | $5,210 | n/a | $1,500 |
| Sophomore | $13,176 | $7,642 | $2,206 | $7,878 | $1,500 |
| Junior | $13,176 | $7,642 | $1,636 | $9,450 | $1,500 |
| Senior | $13,176 | $7,642 | $1,134 | $10,500 | $1,500 |
| TOTAL | $52,704 | $30,568 | $10,186 | $27,828 | $6,000 |
It's important to note that each UC student's cost is individually calculated based on factors such as program of study, financial aid award, meal plan, housing selections and more. This example, while including real numbers, may not reflect your exact cost.
Any scholarship you receive may or may not impact your ability to obtain additional financial aid. The Student Financial Aid Office must be aware of any scholarship you are receiving. It is important for awarded students to understand the scholarship limits of offers made to them.
Yes, students can receive scholarships and financial aid at the same time. However, any scholarship you receive may or may not impact your ability to obtain additional financial aid. The One Stop Center and the Student Financial Aid Office must be aware of any scholarship you are receiving.
The University of Cincinnati Global Scholarship is exclusively for international undergraduate applicants. Awards range from $1,000 to $15,000 each year and are renewable for up to four academic years.
The Cincinnati Tuition Guarantee is a cohort-based program that sets tuition, mandatory fees, and room and board at a consistent rate for up to four or five years depending on the length of a student's academic program. Degree-seeking first-year and transfer students enrolling at our Uptown or regional campuses are eligible.
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Co-Op Internships
For college students who want to cut costs and limit student debt, enrolling in a university with cooperative education programs could be an opportunity that reduces student loan borrowing while offering real-world learning experiences.