Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN — The Youngstown State University Foundation announced that $1.4 million in aid is available to students in financial need due to the novel coronavirus outbreak.

The Emergency COVID-19 Scholarship provides up to $4,000 in tuition help to existing and new students, including transfers and incoming freshmen in the 2020-21 academic year.

In addition, the foundation as part of its annual gift to YSU will provide $8.5 million more in support to students in the coming academic year.

The scholarships will be awarded from the YSU Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships. Application information will be announced in the coming months.

YSU President Jim Tressel said the scholarship plays “an all-important role” for students facing hardship with the tuition.

“YSU remains one of the most affordable universities in Ohio, but we understand students sometimes may need further support. We want them to know there is an affordable, quality education available here at Youngstown State University,” Tressel said.

The scholarship comes from the foundation’s board-designated Merit Scholarship endowment funds. Donor endowments are not affected.

The money is separate from the foundation’s Penguin to Penguin program that has grants of up to $500 for students who may have found themselves short on money when the university closed, halting their on-campus job or their off-campus work slowed or was eliminated under Ohio’s stay-at-home and nonessential business closures. orders.

That program is funded by university supporters and graduates.

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