FAQ
Getting answers to your questions starts here.
We understand how important it is for you to get answers as quickly as possible, which is why our team compiled this comprehensive list of the questions we have received from students, parents and caretakers. Our FAQ page is designed to help answer your questions about school financial aid, family support services, and more.
Don’t see your question below?
Email [email protected] or call 216.273.6350.
The Say Yes Cleveland scholarship is a tuition gap-closing scholarship available to all eligible CMSD high school graduates who plan on attending an Ohio public four-year university, two-year college, or (Pell-eligible) trade/certificate program. Scholarships from over 100 private colleges in the Say Yes National Higher Education Compact also are available to eligible students.
The National Higher Education Compact is an agreement between private colleges and universities to ensure that students from Say Yes Cleveland communities whose annual family income is at or below $75,000 are eligible to attend tuition-free, provided they are accepted through the institution’s regular admission process.
The goals of the Say Yes Cleveland scholarship are to increase education levels of Cleveland residents; boost and retain population in the City of Cleveland; improve college access for middle- and low-income families in Cleveland; and spur economic growth and expansion in Cleveland.
- In their senior year, CMSD students must create an account and complete the Say Yes Cleveland scholarship Certification Form through the scholarship portal. High school counselors and College Now advisers will be able to assist with this process. For the graduating class of 2023, the online application is available here .
- Students also must complete the free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) every year.
- After the student creates their Say Yes Cleveland account, they should indicate their “school interests,” which includes any eligible postsecondary school or program (four-year, two-year or Pell-eligible certificate program) to which they have applied or plan to apply.
- Once a student decides on the school in which they would like to enroll, they must update their account to reflect choice so payment from Say Yes Cleveland can be processed to the school.
Contact the Say Yes Cleveland scholarship Hotline, which is administered by College Now Greater Cleveland.
Email: [email protected]
Phone:
216.454.5400
Say Yes Cleveland Scholarship Inc., a locally led nonprofit, is contracting with College Now Greater Cleveland to manage the scholarship and mentor programs. College Now brings 50 years of experience administering scholarships in Northeast Ohio.
To be eligible for a Say Yes Cleveland scholarship, students must be continuously enrolled in a CMSD high school or partnering charter high school from the 9th grade through graduation, and live continuously within the city of Cleveland or one of the areas served by CMSD from 9th grade through graduation.
To find out if you live in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, click here to input your address. The results will show your taxing district. If it is CMSD, your household is within the district. Any addresses in the city of Cleveland that are not within the Cleveland Metropolitan School District are still eligible as long as the student is continuously enrolled in a CMSD high school from 9th grade through graduation.
Students who reside in Bratenahl, Linndale, Newburgh Heights, and parts of Brook Park and Garfield Heights assigned to the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and who meet enrollment requirements also are eligible.
Homeless, foster, and documented refugee students may be eligible for Say Yes Cleveland scholarships. Please see your school counselor or the College Now advisor in your high school for more information. You can also send an email or call 216.454.5400.
Yes. Students in the graduating classes of 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 – who meet the residency requirements as of January 18, 2019 – and are continuously enrolled in a Cleveland Metropolitan School District or eligible partnering charter high school through graduation – will receive the same scholarship as the class of 2023 and subsequent years. Students in earlier high school graduating classes (2018 and earlier) are not eligible.
Horizon Science Academy and Northeast Ohio College Preparatory School are the two partnering charter high schools.
No. All eligible students who graduate from high school and are admitted to an eligible postsecondary school or program (four-year, two-year or Pell-eligible certificate program) can receive a tuition scholarship. But to continue to receive the Say Yes Cleveland scholarship, students must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress as required by federal guidelines throughout their postsecondary education.
The total amount of the Say Yes Cleveland Scholarship, which is available for in-state public schools, depends on:
- Cost of tuition and fees
- Amount of federal and state grants provided to the student
- Student’s family income
- For students whose families’ annual income is $75,000 or less, the scholarship will cover the full difference between the total cost of tuition and standard fees minus the total amount of federal and state grants received by the student
For students whose families’ annual income is above $75,000, the scholarship will cover up to $5,000 each year to help fund the difference between the total cost of tuition and standard fees minus the total amount of federal and state grants received by the student.
Students from families earning $75,000 or less who attend a school in the Say Yes Higher Education Compact will receive full tuition and standard fees from the college or university.
Students whose families earn $75,000 or more who attend a school in the Say Yes Higher Education Compact will receive a $5,000 Say Yes Cleveland Choice Scholarship from the local scholarship fund.
The Say Yes Cleveland scholarships can only be used for tuition and standard fees. They do NOT cover non-tuition expenses such as room, board, books, etc. Students may be able to use institutional aid and other non-Say Yes Cleveland scholarships for these purposes.
Students can use institutional aid, scholarships, grants, and federal student loans to pay for non-tuition and fees expenses. Say Yes Cleveland encourages students and families to apply for additional scholarships, starting the process early in their high school careers.
Scholarship payments are made directly to the college or university starting in September/October of the fall semester. Say Yes Cleveland payments are divided into two, with half of the payment being made in the fall for the fall semester and half in the spring for the spring semester.
Yes. Students can submit an appeal if they are identified as ineligible in the Say Yes Scholarship Certification system. The instructions to file an appeal are here.
Say Yes Cleveland strongly encourages enrollment in postsecondary education immediately after high school graduation. Eligible students can defer their postsecondary enrollment for up to one year after high school graduation. However, they must indicate that they are deferring and must enroll in postsecondary education by the following year. For example, a member of the graduating class of 2023 who submits a deferral notice must begin his or her postsecondary education no later than fall semester 2024.
Students can receive the Say Yes Cleveland Scholarship up to eight full-time semesters in the fall and spring. Summer semesters are not included. They must use those eight fall or spring semesters of eligibility within five years of beginning their postsecondary education.
Say Yes Cleveland scholarships are NOT available for students to pursue masters or other post-undergraduate degrees.
- Students must be enrolled full time (at least 12 credit hours per semester) and work with their assigned mentor.
- Students also must meet the same Satisfactory Academic Progress as required by federal guidelines.
- Students also must complete the annual free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Yes. All Say Yes Cleveland scholarship students will be assigned a mentor through College Now beginning the fall after their high school graduation. Students must continue working with an assigned mentor throughout their postsecondary education experience.
Say Yes Cleveland scholars must complete mentoring orientation and their online mentee profile form before their high school graduation. Once you visit the profile page, click “Join” then “Mentee” and answer the questions to complete your profile.
Students and families need to carefully consider transferring institutions and the implications of the Say Yes Cleveland scholarship. As a first step to ensure that students have a full understanding of their transfer plans and the potential impact to their Say Yes Cleveland scholarship, students need to contact the College Now Say Yes Cleveland scholarship team by email or by calling 216.454.5400.
If a student begins at an Ohio public institution and is receiving a tuition scholarship and transfers to another Ohio public institution, they would still be eligible for a Say Yes Cleveland scholarship but calculated at the new tuition rate.
If a student transfers from an Ohio public institution to a Say Yes Cleveland Compact private institution, however, the student may no longer be eligible for any Say Yes Cleveland scholarship aid.
If a student transfers from a Say Yes National Higher Education Compact private institution to an Ohio public institution, the student will be eligible for the tuition scholarship but the number of eligible semesters of available funding will need to be confirmed.
The Workforce Certificate Tuition Funding Program is a new pilot initiative that allows eligible Say Yes students to receive tuition support for select short-term workforce training programs in healthcare, information technology, and skilled trades. The pilot runs through 2027 and is available only for approved programs and institutions.
Eligible students may receive tuition funding for approved programs offered through:
- Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C)
- Cuyahoga Valley Career Center (CVCC)
- Polaris Career Center
Only approved workforce certificate programs at these institutions qualify for Say Yes funding.
Approved programs are currently available in:
- Healthcare
- Information Technology
- Skilled Trades and Transportation
Examples include dental assisting, medical billing, community health worker, software development, network administration, HVAC technician, and commercial driver training.
Students whose family’s annual adjusted gross income is below $96,000 may receive full-tuition funding for approved programs after federal and state aid has been applied.
Students whose family’s annual adjusted gross income exceeds $96,000 may receive up to $5,000 in tuition funding.
Yes. Students must complete the Say Yes Scholarship application, submit the FAFSA annually, sign required FERPA releases, and participate in mentoring or coaching support to remain eligible for funding.
Workforce certificate programs count toward a student’s overall Say Yes scholarship eligibility based on the length of the program. However, students who complete a certificate program may still be eligible for additional Say Yes scholarship funding if they have remaining eligible semesters available.
Workforce certificate programs are designed to help students build skills for in-demand careers in a shorter timeframe than a traditional degree program. They can be a great option for students who want to enter the workforce quickly, explore a specific career field, or gain experience before pursuing additional education.
Yes. Completing a workforce certificate does not prevent you from pursuing additional education. Depending on your remaining eligibility, you may still qualify for future Say Yes scholarship funding and may be able to continue your education through a degree or additional credential program.
Program length varies by institution and program. Some certificates can be completed in a few months, while others may take longer. Students should contact the participating institution directly for program-specific timelines.
Approved workforce certificate programs prepare students for careers in high-demand industries including healthcare, information technology, transportation, and skilled trades. Career opportunities vary by program and may include roles such as dental assistant, medical billing specialist, community health worker, HVAC technician, network administrator, software developer, or commercial truck driver.
The Say Yes Scholarship Board selected these programs based on regional workforce demand, projected job growth, and opportunities to earn wages that can support a family. The pilot focuses on programs that provide a clear pathway to employment and long-term career success.
Students should speak with their institution and the Say Yes Scholarship Team as soon as possible. Because workforce certificate programs count toward overall scholarship eligibility, changing programs may impact future funding availability. Individual situations will vary.
Say Yes workforce certificate funding is intended to cover eligible tuition costs. Additional expenses such as books, supplies, uniforms, certification exams, transportation, or equipment may vary by program and institution. Students should contact the institution directly to understand any additional costs.
Students are encouraged to meet with their school counselor, College Now advisor, or a representative from a participating institution to discuss career interests, program requirements, and employment opportunities before enrolling.
Yes. Say Yes-eligible high school graduates who are not currently enrolled in postsecondary education are encouraged to explore approved workforce certificate opportunities and determine whether they qualify for funding.
Want to talk to someone?
A member of our scholarship hotline can help answer your questions.
Phone
216.454.5400
A checklist for the path to and through college.
Our checklists are designed to help students and parents/guardians remember what to do, how to do it, and when to do it.