Kent State University's "First Choice" initiative eases the
financial burden of incoming freshmen by providing a
significant increase in merit scholarships to successful
students who see the university as their first choice for
college.

Kent State University has undertaken a bold initiative to provide more incoming freshmen a significant increase in merit scholarships to ease the financial burden on successful students who see the university as their first choice for college.

The additional financial support follows a year in which Kent State’s incoming class boasted a highest-ever GPA and the second-largest enrollment of incoming freshmen.

“We want to ease the financial burden on families so that we can continue to bring in the best of the best,” says Kent State President Lester A. Lefton. “These merit scholarships send the message that we recognize the hard work students have put in during high school and we want them to succeed with their first choice to attend Kent State.”

To be considered for incoming freshman scholarships at the Kent Campus, prospective students must submit a complete application for admission (including high school transcript, ACT or SAT scores and application fee) by Jan. 15.

“We understand families are struggling to afford college; therefore, we are increasing merit aid for students who have worked hard to earn good grades,” says T. David Garcia, Kent State's associate vice president for enrollment management. “Sometimes, students forgo social events with their peers because of a big exam or a big project that is due. We want to recognize their sacrifice with a larger freshman scholarship because they have earned it.”

More than $31 million in merit scholarships have already been offered to 6,328 incoming freshmen compared to $24 million offered to 5,766 students last year during this same period.

University leaders anticipate making a few more rounds of scholarship offers for those who apply before the deadline.

For more information about Kent State’s "First Choice" initiative, visit www.kent.edu/firstchoice.