Ohio State announces free tuition options for in-state students

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio State University President Ted Carter announced new programs guaranteeing free tuition for Ohioans on Wednesday.

In the first State of the University Address from Carter in 17 months, he offered clarity into his Education for Citizenship 2035 plan. He said the plan focuses on academic excellence, world-class clinical care and student success, and unveiled new programs to support those goals. See previous coverage of Ohio State initiatives to reduce costs for in-state students in the video player above.

Carter said 57% of OSU students graduate debt-free, but he wants to increase that number. He announced any student in the state of Ohio who receives a perfect SAT or ACT score will not only be accepted to OSU, the university will cover all costs of attendance, including tuition, housing and dining. Those students would also receive a $5,000 research stipend.

Carter also said any Ohioan who chooses to go to a regional campus and has an annual family income under $100,000 will have tuition covered. After their first year, in-state students in good academic standing can transfer to the main campus and finish their degrees tuition-free.

Carter announced several other changes, including guaranteed spots at Ohio State Wexner Medical Center for all nursing students and a new centralized office to help students get internships. He also said the university will permanently install winter recess for all academic staff, ensuring faculty get a break around the winter holidays.

The incentives seek to address concerns that college has become too expensive, and to help keep students in Ohio after graduation. Carter said he is lucky to be able to announce the changes, especially during a difficult time for many universities.

“Higher education is going through a transformation right now, and some of it is pretty tough,” Carter said.

He said many of his presidential peers at other institutions are shrinking programs, implementing hiring freezes and considering athletic cuts. Carter said although Ohio State is not immune to federal pressures, the school is fortunate to be financially sound. Despite canceled grants, he said Ohio State has been able to maintain all of its 14,000 researchers.