Ohio State Launches Free Tuition Program for Eligible Students at Regional Campuses

Starting autumn semester 2026, low- to middle-income students at The Ohio State University who start at Mansfield, Wooster or other regional campuses will qualify for a new program that will cover all tuition and mandatory fees.

Ohio State President Walter “Ted” Carter Jr. announced the launch of the Regional Campus Commitment program during his State of the University address Sept. 17 – a key element of his “Education for Citizenship 2035” strategic framework. The program enhances affordability and accessibility for more low- to middle-income students to attain an Ohio State degree, while supporting economic development and advancing the university’s mission to serve Ohio and its communities.

“This is a bold initiative for all Ohioans and a purposeful investment for students who seek new and expanded opportunities,” said Jason Opal, dean and director of The Ohio State University at Mansfield. “Ohio State is committed to making higher education accessible and affordable, and this new program at our campus is an ambitious leap toward achieving those goals.”

Ohio State’s regional campuses make it possible for students across the state to remain close to home while earning their Ohio State degree. Through the Regional Campus Commitment program, eligible new first-year students who enroll at one of the university’s campuses in Mansfield, Lima, Marion or Newark, or at Ohio State ATI in Wooster can now attend Ohio State without having to pay tuition or mandatory fees. Students can choose to complete an associate or bachelor’s degree on a regional campus or transition to the Columbus campus.

Ohio State’s campus locations across the state are vital in fueling the workforce development pipelines in their regions. Students who attend a regional campus or Ohio State ATI in Wooster can start more than 200 majors, including programs preparing them for in-demand careers in their communities such as advanced manufacturing, engineering technology, health care, agriculture, business, information technology and environmental resource management. This program is part of the university’s commitment to increase the number of two- and four-year degrees awarded across Ohio to meet workforce demands and improve educational attainment. 

“The Regional Campus Commitment makes an Ohio State degree attainable for more students across the state,” said Ohio State Executive Vice President and Provost Ravi V. Bellamkonda. “By removing financial barriers, we are expanding opportunity and preparing more graduates to contribute to their communities and to Ohio’s future.”

Program details
The award covers the remaining tuition and mandatory fees after applying other federal, state and institutional aid. The award is similar to other programs at Ohio State, such as the Buckeye Opportunity Program, which covers tuition and mandatory fees for Ohio residents on all campuses who are Pell Grant eligible and show significant need.

To qualify, students must:

• Be Ohio residents
• Enroll at an Ohio State regional campus or Ohio State ATI in Wooster
• File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually by the priority deadline
• Maintain full-time enrollment at Ohio State
• Have a family Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $100,000 or less (verified through FAFSA)

New first-year student enrollment on Ohio State’s regional campuses has increased nearly 20% over the last two years, and this program will build on that momentum, creating more pathways for students to earn their Ohio State degree while continuing to strengthen the workforce and communities across the state.