Trustees also agree to create bridge scholarships for students impacted by reduction of Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG) program funds

The Cleveland State University Board of Trustees has agreed to not increase tuition for the Fall 2009 semester that begins August 22. Recognizing the extreme financial hardship many citizens of Ohio are facing, the University will hold tuition constant.

Raising tuition was a consideration, as drastically reduced revenue from taxes and other income sources has forced the state to trim $170 million from the subsidy of four-year colleges and universities and to reduce Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG) funding, which provides financial aid to the most financially at-risk students. In anticipation of the state’s 2010-2011 budget, CSU had already cut more than $8.5 million from its operating budget during fiscal year 2009.

The Board also agreed on a plan to fund “bridge scholarships” for all eligible first-time, full-time CSU freshmen who will be impacted by the OCOG cuts and to search for revenue to help the continuing students who are impacted.

Cleveland State remains among the most affordable universities in Ohio; tuition at CSU has been frozen at its 2006 rates. Continuing this Fall, tuition for full-time undergraduate Ohio-resident students will remain $7,920 for the academic year or $3,960 per semester. Fall tuition for full-time graduate students is $11,420.50 for the academic year or $5,710.25 per semester. Fall tuition for full-time law students is $16,477.50 for the academic year or $8,238.75 per semester.

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