Cutler Scholars Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by Ohio University

Overview

Cutler Scholars are selected for their demonstrated impact on communities through engagement, service, and leadership rather than for grades alone. The program seeks applicants who show a sustained commitment to personal growth and to making a positive difference. Awardees pursue a rigorous academic experience and contribute to campus and civic life.

Description: The program prioritizes students who combine academic promise with meaningful community involvement and a commitment to ethical leadership.

• Focus on community impact as well as academic potential.
• Emphasis on sustained engagement, service, and leadership.
• Designed for students seeking a rigorous college experience.

Selection Criteria

Selection hinges on a candidate's potential and commitment to lifelong growth across four core areas. Evaluators look for evidence of intellectual curiosity, leadership, civic responsibility, and character in applicants' records and activities. These attributes are assessed through application materials and interviews to identify students who will contribute meaningfully to campus and community.

Description: The four areas evaluated are:

• Intellectual curiosity: A desire for rigorous learning inside and outside the classroom.
• Leadership: Initiative taken for the common good rather than personal recognition.
• Civic responsibility: Active contribution to the larger community.
• Character: Ethical decision-making, empathy, persistence, and humility.

Eligibility & Application

Applicants must be freshman applicants to Ohio University and meet either geographic or discipline eligibility requirements to be considered. Geographic awards require attendance at or a degree from an eligible high school; discipline awards require application to an eligible academic program, and final selection is contingent on admission to that program. The Cutler Scholars Program encourages eligible students with strong curiosity and community engagement to apply and does not consider standardized test scores in selection.

Eligibility: Students must satisfy either the geographic or discipline criteria and be freshman applicants to Ohio University.

• Two eligibility paths: geographic or discipline-based.
• Selection for discipline awards requires admission to the eligible program.
• Standardized test scores are not considered in selection.

Interview & Selection Timeline

Students who meet eligibility and submit the Common Application by the November Early Action deadline receive a supplemental Cutler application. Applications are reviewed by program staff and alumni; finalists are invited to virtual interviews, typically held in late January and early February. Final selection notifications are issued by late March, and awardees must accept by May 1 to secure their place in the program.

Application Timeline: Supplement sent after timely Common Application submission; virtual interviews in late January–early February; final decisions by late March; acceptance due May 1.

• Supplemental application issued for timely Common Application applicants.
• Finalists participate in virtual interviews with staff and alumni.
• Decisions communicated by late March; acceptance deadline is May 1.

Awards & Honors

All Cutler Scholar awardees gain automatic admission to the OHIO Honors Program unless they have already earned admission to the Honors Tutorial College. Acceptance of the Cutler award secures a position in the Cutler Scholars Program and the associated honors opportunities. The award is intended to integrate recipients into Ohio University's honors community and support their academic and civic development.

Subheading: Honors Admission and Program Integration

• Awardees are automatically admitted to the OHIO Honors Program unless admitted to the Honors Tutorial College.
• Acceptance of the award secures a place in the Cutler Scholars cohort.
• The award supports academic rigor and civic engagement within the honors community.