Say Yes Cleveland Scholarship
The scholarship serves eligible graduates of CMSD and partner charter schools who lived within the district service area and attended a participating school throughout high school. For 2026–27, the calculation varies by institution and household income: at Ohio public colleges, an AGI up to $96,000 may qualify for remaining tuition and mandatory general fees after federal and state grants; above that, the award may be up to $5,000 a year. Say Yes Compact private colleges gene
About Say Yes Cleveland Scholarship
The scholarship serves eligible graduates of CMSD and partner charter schools who lived within the district service area and attended a participating school throughout high school. For 2026–27, the calculation varies by institution and household income: at Ohio public colleges, an AGI up to $96,000 may qualify for remaining tuition and mandatory general fees after federal and state grants; above that, the award may be up to $5,000 a year. Say Yes Compact private colleges generally use a $75,000 threshold, subject to institution-specific exceptions.
Families with AGI of $96,000 or less may also receive a $2,000 annual Opportunity Grant if the student attends an approved institution. It may support housing and meals, books, transportation, and other eligible cost-of-attendance expenses. It is not unrestricted cash: the participating institution applies and disburses funds under its rules. The maximum timeframe is three academic years at two-year institutions and six at four-year institutions, with separate transfer and summer rules.
Before choosing a college, verify that your high school and residence meet the continuous-eligibility rule, check the partner list, and file the FAFSA. Then complete the Say Yes portal application, respond to campus verification, and confirm your award package: federal and state grants apply first, so the scholarship pays eligible remaining costs and does not necessarily cover housing or every charge.
The 2026–27 policy is the reference for this guide; a listed maximum is not a guaranteed award. A student whose schooling or residence history has a gap should review the formal appeal route and gather residency and transcript evidence. For a family-specific calculation, contact Say Yes Cleveland and the college financial-aid office.
Who it serves and what it can cover: The scholarship serves eligible graduates of CMSD and partner charter schools who lived within the district service area and attended a participating school throughout high school. For 2026–27, the calculation varies by institution and household income: at Ohio public colleges, an AGI up to $96,000 may qualify for remaining tuition and mandatory general fees after federal and state grants; above that, the award may be up to $5,000 a year. Say Yes Compact private colleges generally use a $75,000 threshold, subject to institution-specific exceptions. Families with AGI of $96,000 or less may also receive a $2,000 annual Opportunity Grant if the student attends an approved institution. It may support housing and meals, books, transportation, and other eligible cost-of-attendance expenses. It is not unrestricted cash: the participating institution applies and disburses funds under its rules. The maximum timeframe is three academic years at two-year institutions and six at four-year institutions, with separate transfer and summer rules.
How to apply or get help: Before choosing a college, verify that your high school and residence meet the continuous-eligibility rule, check the partner list, and file the FAFSA. Then complete the Say Yes portal application, respond to campus verification, and confirm your award package: federal and state grants apply first, so the scholarship pays eligible remaining costs and does not necessarily cover housing or every charge. For case-specific questions, contact the program or financial-aid office named on its official page.
Local college-aid program