“This is an opportunity that helps make college education more doable and manageable,” said Diane Kanney, director of regional campus recruitment strategies and initiatives for Ohio State. “Tuition can sometimes be a barrier to families who want to send their son or daughter to college, and the university has worked very hard to remove that barrier.”
FAFSA Deadline
In addition to the Feb. 1 FAFSA deadline, students also must continue to meet Ohio State’s basic guidelines for full-time enrollment. Federal funding and scholarships will apply first, and the remainder of tuition will be covered by the Regional Campus Commitment.
“It’s pretty much a guarantee that if students are interested in college and they meet the basic requirements, they can get here and not have to worry about paying for tuition,” said Rosie Driver, admissions recruitment coordinator at Ohio State Mansfield and Alumna (’21).
At Mansfield, students can begin any of Ohio State’s 200-plus degrees and they can complete 12 on campus. Students can campus change to Columbus after the first year, or they can remain at Mansfield. Either way, their tuition will be covered.
“This is a major investment in the students and the regional campuses,” said Kendra Boggs, financial aid advisor at Ohio State Mansfield. “This opens up pathways for students who maybe thought they wouldn’t be able to go.”
By saving on tuition, students can focus on other life expenses like transportation, housing, food and books.
“This can open up opportunities where they can get a superior education – for little or no debt,” said Boggs.
Ohio State also continues to offer the Buckeye Opportunity Program for families who are Pell-eligible. Altogether, Mansfield students received nearly 1.1 million in scholarship funds for 2025. This grant serves as a tuition gap-filler, covering remaining tuition costs after other aid, excluding loans, has been applied.
All Ohioans
It’s difficult to say how many students may qualify for the Regional Campus program, but Ohio State Mansfield wants to reach as many Ohioans as possible. This is part of the land-grant mission, and part of being a flagship public university.
