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MeritPlaybook / Take-home research

Otterbein
Decision sheet

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

The starting point

DRAFT: Otterbein publishes a four-band GPA scholarship ladder worth $64,000-$88,000 over four years that reaches down to students below a 3.0 — but institutional aid can never exceed tuition, big specialty awards replace rather than stack, and renewal requires a 2.75 Otterbein GPA.

Selection beyond grades and scores. These awards are not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read each award's selection rules, application steps and dates. Meeting a minimum is not an award offer.

Awards to discuss

First 3 of 8 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.

Otterbein Core Scholarships (President's / Provost's / Dean's / Alumni Award)

$64,000-$88,000 (four-year value; $16,000-$22,000 per year) · Published range

Not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules.

GPA: President's: HS GPA >= 4.0 ($88,000); Provost's: 3.4-3.99 ($84,000); Dean's: 3.0-3.39 ($72,000); Alumni Award: <= 2.99 ($64,000)

Eligibility: Awarded during the admission review process based on the overall application (test-optional); demonstrated scholarship and leadership in high school; scholarships are exclusive of each other; cannot retroactively request consideration

Renewal: Renewable for up to eight semesters or first undergraduate degree, whichever comes first. 2.75 Otterbein GPA required for renewal.

Other terms: Bands are labeled 'Typically awarded to students with' the stated GPA — consideration is based on the whole application, so this is not a guaranteed grid; automaticOnStats set false. Page is headed '2025-2026 Otterbein Scholarships & Awards' / 'Merit/Achievement Scholarships Starting Fall 2025'.

https://www.otterbein.edu/financial-aid/scholarships/

Otterbein Advantage Partnership Scholarship

$20,000 · Published amount

Not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules.

Eligibility: New first-year or transfer students under age 23 whose parent or guardian is a qualified employee of an Otterbein Advantage Partner

Renewal: Four year value $80,000

Other terms: Awarded in lieu of other merit awards unless the student qualifies for the President's or Provost's Scholarship — highest scholarship amount honored.

https://www.otterbein.edu/financial-aid/scholarships/

Full Tuition Scholarships (essay competition)

Full tuition · Published coverage or package

Not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules.

Eligibility: Essay competition; by invitation only; must apply by December 15; three awarded

Renewal: Recorded as renewable. Full renewal conditions are not recorded here; request them from the school.

Other terms: 'The value of this award replaces all other Otterbein aid.'

https://www.otterbein.edu/financial-aid/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: Otterbein reduces the student's loan and work-study eligibility first when an adjustment is necessary due to outside scholarships or non-school-certified private loans; the published policy does not specify whether or under what condition institutional grants would also be reduced.

Our unanswered questions / Family notes

Keep the sources with the decision

Full research, award details and source context: https://meritplaybook.com/colleges/otterbein-university/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.