Effective for the 2026–2027 Academic Year

Say Yes Cleveland Scholarship offers tuition gap-closing scholarships designed to make college degrees and career training certificates affordable and attainable for eligible graduates of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) and its partnering charter high schools.

Tuition Scholarships

Ohio Public Institutions

For eligible students attending an Ohio public college, university, or Pell-eligible career and technical education program:

  • Students whose family’s Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) is $96,000 or less will receive a Say Yes scholarship that covers the remaining tuition and mandatory general fees after all federal and state grant aid has been applied.
  • Students whose family’s Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) is greater than $96,000 will be eligible for a Say Yes tuition scholarship of up to $5,000 per academic year.

Say Yes National Higher Education Compact Institutions

For eligible students attending a Say Yes National Higher Education Compact Institution:

  • Unless otherwise specified by the institution, Compact institutions will continue to use a family Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) threshold of $75,000 for full tuition coverage eligibility. Note: institutions will maintain the $75,000 income threshold for tuition coverage unless otherwise noted on the website.
  • Students whose family’s Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) is greater than $75,000 will be eligible for a Say Yes tuition scholarship of up to $5,000 per academic year.

Opportunity Grant

In addition to the tuition scholarship, eligible students whose family’s Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) is $96,000 or less will receive an annual $2,000 Opportunity Grant while enrolled at a Say Yes-approved postsecondary institution, including eligible Ohio public institutions and Say Yes National Higher Education Compact institutions.

The Opportunity Grant may be used toward educational expenses included in the institution’s Cost of Attendance, including but not limited to:

  • Housing and meals
  • Books and supplies
  • Transportation
  • Other eligible educational expenses

Awarding and disbursement of Opportunity Grant funds are subject to institutional participation requirements and any applicable program terms and conditions.

Maximum Timeframe Eligibility

To encourage timely degree and credential completion while providing flexibility for student pathways, Say Yes scholarship eligibility is available for up to 150 percent of the published program length at eligible institutions.

  • Students enrolled at two-year institutions are eligible to receive Say Yes scholarship funding for up to three academic years.
  • Students enrolled at four-year institutions are eligible to receive Say Yes scholarship funding for up to six academic years.

Students who transfer between eligible institutions will be subject to the applicable maximum timeframe based on their educational pathway, with all prior periods of Say Yes scholarship utilization counting toward the maximum eligibility period.

Summer Term Funding

Subject to annual approval by the Say Yes Cleveland Scholarship Board, eligible students will receive Summer Term tuition funding at participating Say Yes-approved postsecondary institutions. Summer funding award amounts may vary by academic year and by institution attended. Students must notify Say Yes Cleveland of their summer enrollment plans and comply with all applicable deadlines and procedures to receive summer funding.

Any Summer Term scholarship funding awarded by Say Yes Cleveland Scholarship will be provided in addition to a student’s regular academic year scholarships and will not count toward the maximum timeframe eligibility limits outlined in this policy.

Part-Time Enrollment

If Say Yes eligible high school graduates are unable to enroll full-time at an eligible public postsecondary institution, the Say Yes scholarship will pay tuition and mandatory fees for up to two part-time semesters (6-11 credit hours).

Scholarship Appeals

Say Yes Scholarship Eligibility from High School

Say Yes Cleveland scholarship eligibility requires you to enroll in a CMSD or partner charter school for all of high school, and to live within the CMSD boundaries for all of high school. If your scholarship eligibility was denied but you think you meet both of these requirements, you can file an appeal to have your eligibility reviewed.

  • Go to our Appeal Form for high school students.
  • Click the “Apply button at the end of the page to begin the process.
  • Attach supporting documentation to the electronic appeals form such as:
    • Proof of residency (bills, etc.)
    • Supporting letters
    • Transcripts

Say Yes Scholarship Eligibility While in College

If you are a current Say Yes college student and are not enrolled in more than 12 credit hours, did not meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards at your institution, or have been denied re-enrollment for any other reason, you can file at appeal to have your scholarship eligibility reviewed.

  • Go to our Appeal Form for undergraduate college students.
  • Click the “Apply” button at the end of the page to begin the process.
  • Attach supporting documentation to the electronic appeals form such as:
    • SAP appeal approval from your institution.
    • Letter from academic advisor or other staff explaining reasons for not meeting renewal criteria, etc. to the electronic appeals form when you submit your appeal.