Higher education is expensive, but Cleveland State University wants to make sure that's not a deterrent for incoming freshmen. Under a unique new program, Cleveland State University is offering $5,100 in scholarships annually to all incoming freshmen who live in the university's new and renovated student housing and qualify academically.
"We are very excited to offer such a unique and innovative academic scholarship," says CSU assistant vice president of university marketing and admissions Rob Spademan. "Programs like this help make our campus a more vibrant place for all students, and it's raising the overall quality of our academics."
The university is actively involved in the continued gentrification of Euclid Avenue. Since 2006, CSU has invested nearly $90 million in renovations and new construction for student housing. The renovated dorms are part of the Euclid Commons project, which completed phase I last August, with phase II to be finished this summer. The project adds 600 beds to CSU's growing urban campus. The first phase replaced dated existing housing, while phase II will expand on that model to create "additional housing for a growing number of residents living on campus," according to CSU director of strategic communications Joe Mosbrook.
The school's landmark Fenn Tower also had its rooms recently remodeled, adding another 350 beds to the campus. The upgraded rooms feature individual bathrooms, full kitchens and more. "They're really more like apartments," says Mosbrook. The project marks a clear departure from the university's more industrial architecture and design, born in the 1970s. The centerpiece of the project is the new $44 million student center (at East 21st Street and Euclid Avenue; pictured left) and $36 million Julka Hall (pictured below), which is home to the School of Nursing, and College of Education and Human Services. Both spaces are built around extensive glass work that opens the buildings to the city – fitting for a nearly 70-plus acre urban campus that encourages its student body to study not only academia, but also the city around them.
The Freshmen Scholars program is for new freshmen with a 3.0 GPA and an ACT score of at least 23. The program was expanded this year by $2,100 for freshmen who plan to live in the university's residence halls. The scholarships are renewable for four years for a total of $20,400 – all before students apply for any other scholarships, grants or loans.
The program was designed to increase the academic competitiveness of incoming freshmen, while growing the University's residential population.
Last fall, CSU's freshmen class was the most academically competitive in the university's history, with an average admission test score above the national average.
Qualifying freshmen must be admitted to CSU by May 1. SAT scores of at least 1060 also qualify in lieu of the ACT. Students must complete at least 24 credit hours (12 in fall semester and 12 in spring semester) and earn a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA while at CSU to renew the scholarship.
For additional scholarship and financial aid information, visit csuohio.edu/financialaid.
