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MeritPlaybook / Take-home research

Ohio State
Decision sheet

Ohio · Research checked 2026-07-02 · School research, not an aid offer

The starting point

Public flagship with one of the most punitive single-test perfect-score awards in the country (President's Ohio Scholarship: full COA + $5K for a single-sitting 36 ACT or 1600 SAT). Most merit awards are non-stackable and gated by the November 1 early-action deadline; transfers and international students are excluded.

More than one award path. Some awards use published academic thresholds. Others have different selection criteria. A score chart does not describe every award at this school.

Awards to discuss

First 3 of 7 recorded awards, in chapter display order. This is a selection, not a ranking. Read the full chapter for all awards. Amounts retain the original units and conditions; confirm the entering year with the school.

President's Ohio Scholarship Program

Full cost of attendance + $5,000 enrichment grant (accessible after first year) · Published award terms

Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.

SAT: 1600 · ACT: 36

Eligibility: New first-year Ohio resident applicants to the Columbus campus who score a perfect ACT (36) or SAT (1600) on a single test date. Submit complete application + official scores + supporting materials by November 1.

Renewal: Renewable with full-time enrollment and the GPA requirement of the University Honors Program or Ohio State Scholars Program (program-dependent).

Other terms: The single most punishing perfect-score award in the country: superscoring is allowed for admission consideration but the President's Ohio Scholarship requires the perfect score on a single test date. The $5K enrichment grant unlocks after the first year and funds study abroad, research, or hands-on learning.

https://undergrad.osu.edu/cost-and-aid/merit-based-scholarships

National Buckeye Scholarship

Up to $13,500/year (up to $54,000 four-year value) · Variable or qualified amount

Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.

Eligibility: Non-Ohio residents (U.S. citizens or permanent residents) with highly competitive GPA, class rank, curriculum rigor, and ACT/SAT scores. Automatic consideration for applicants who apply by November 1.

Renewal: Four-year award; standard renewal terms apply.

Other terms: The headline OOS automatic award. Critically: National Buckeye is the ONLY Ohio State merit scholarship that can stack on top of others, specifically with the Maximus, Provost, or Trustees Scholarships. All other named OSU merit scholarships are explicitly non-combinable.

https://undergrad.osu.edu/cost-and-aid/merit-based-scholarships

Maximus, Provost, and Trustees Scholarships

$1,000–$3,000/year ($4,000–$12,000 four-year value) · Published range

Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.

Eligibility: Both Ohio and non-Ohio residents (U.S. citizens or permanent residents) with highly competitive GPA, class rank, curriculum rigor, and ACT/SAT scores. Automatic consideration for applicants who apply by November 1.

Renewal: Four-year award with standard renewal terms.

Other terms: Tier names (Maximus = top, Trustees = bottom) reflect competitive depth. Stacks with National Buckeye for non-Ohio residents; total OOS automatic stack potential is up to $66,000 over four years ($54K Buckeye + $12K Maximus). For Ohio residents, these awards do not stack with the President's Ohio, Stamps Eminence, Morrill, or Land Grant Opportunity scholarships; the student receives whichever is largest.

https://undergrad.osu.edu/cost-and-aid/merit-based-scholarships

Ask before you decide

  1. Which entering-year policy and residency category apply to us? What are the admission and scholarship deadlines?
  2. What grades and credits are required to renew, and for how many terms?
  3. How would other school awards or outside scholarships change the offer?

Recorded stacking policy: Ohio State applies a federal cost-of-attendance cap to the total aid package. Most institutional merit scholarships are explicitly non-combinable; the student receives whichever is largest. The single exception: National Buckeye stacks with Maximus, Provost, OR Trustees Scholarships. External scholarships are revised into the package once received and may reduce institutional aid if total exceeds COA.

Our unanswered questions / Family notes

Keep the sources with the decision

Full research, award details and source context: https://meritplaybook.com/colleges/ohio-state/merit-aid

The research date is not a guarantee that a policy still applies. Confirm current amounts, deadlines and conditions with the school before making a financial decision.