Ohio University

From the moment it was founded in 1804, Ohio University has been committed to providing quality education for students and to serving the needs of Ohio and the nation at large.  

Our history reflects this – Ohio University was the first university in the Northwest Territory – and we’ve awarded more than 230,000 degrees over our 204-year history.

Today, some 17,000 undergraduate students come to Ohio University from all of Ohio’s 88 counties, every state in the union, and more than 100 countries.  These students have the opportunity to study in more than 250 majors with the instruction and support of nearly 870 full-time faculty.  Ohio University strives to lead Ohio in providing transforming educational experiences for this incredibly diverse group.

The diversity these students bring to the institution adds an incredible dynamic – studies demonstrate that university students in diverse environments show greater intellectual and social self-confidence, critical thinking skills, and a greater growth of general knowledge than students who study in uniform environments. 

But now, more than ever, the future of Ohio demands that Ohio University must increase our diversity efforts and work to better serve the needs of Appalachian Ohio.

Increasing costs coupled with decreasing state support mean more of the financial burden of higher education is placed on students.  The State of Ohio’s average in-state tuition cost has increased by 13.4 percent on university main campuses over the past three years.

This particularly affects Appalachian Ohio, home to a large portion of the state’s economically disadvantaged students.  Sixty-five percent of Appalachian high school seniors surveyed said lack of finances is a primary barrier to attending college. 

These students are forced to choose between amassing staggering debt or abandoning the dream of college; the fact that only 12 percent of Ohio’s Appalachian residents have a college degree – less than half the national average – clearly demonstrates the choice they are forced to make.

And this cycle is self-perpetuating; the U.S. Census Bureau reports that individuals with some college work earn about 22 percent more than those with only a high school diploma.  With a bachelor’s degree, individuals earn nearly 73 percent more than they would with a high school diploma.

However, these students face more than just financial barriers – they also might be the first in their family or community to attend college and lack the necessary support from their peers.

These factors contribute to a more difficult transition and a smaller percentage going on to college.

The Appalachian Scholars program was created to provide academically qualified students with the financial resources and the support system they need to seize their opportunity.