Starting autumn semester 2026, low- to middle-income students at The Ohio State University who start on a regional campus or at Ohio State ATI in Wooster will qualify for the new program, which will cover all tuition and mandatory fees.
As part of Ohio State President Walter “Ted” Carter Jr.’s “Education for Citizenship 2035” strategic framework, the Regional Campus Commitment 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.
The Regional Campus Commitment program opens a world of possibilities for a wide-range of students, both those who want to stay at the Lima campus and those who want to transition to the Columbus campus.
“This is an investment not just in the regional campuses but really in access to an Ohio State education,” said Dr. Margaret Young, dean and director. “We are the front door to the university, so this paves the way to make that a very viable option for students.”
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 Lima, Mansfield, 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.
“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.”
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 debuted the same week Lima announced its new online associate of arts degree. The combination will open an Ohio State degree to a large swath of west central Ohio.
“This is an exciting time for us because we are launching a new degree program, while the university is putting unparalleled resources into the regional campuses. This online associate's program provides them access to a piece that is really going to allow anyone to get a college education and to begin and complete their associate's degree,” Young said. “The idea that these two things are working in tandem, really, is an exciting opportunity for us, a new trajectory. There has never been a better time to start exploring your Buckeye journey at Ohio State Lima. This is Ohio State's investment into regional campuses.”
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.