Financial Aid
How to pay for college
Figuring out how to finance your college education can be overwhelming. We're here to help.
The best place to begin is with our start-to-finish guides that help you navigate the financial aid process.
The majority of UToledo students receive some type of financial aid ― scholarships, grants, loans or work-study employment.
Recent FAFSA changes
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required if you want to apply for federal or state aid and need-based scholarships. The 2024-25 FAFSA is available now. The 2025-26 FAFSA will be available in December 2024.
Learn more about Recent FAFSA Changes.
A Guide to the FAFSA
The first step in applying for financial aid is filling out the FAFSA. The FAFSA is required if you want to apply for federal or state financial aid and need-based scholarships.
Your scholarship search
Scholarships are a great way to lower the cost of college. Learn the difference between merit and need-based scholarships, how to search and apply for scholarships and how to maintain your scholarships.
My financial circumstances changed. Can my financial aid be adjusted?
Students may be eligible for additional financial aid if family financial circumstances have changed and the information on your FAFSA is no longer accurate. To request a review of your financial aid eligibility, complete the 2024-25 Special Circumstances Application.
Important Dates
2025-26 Academic Year (summer 2025, fall 2025, spring 2026)
October: Donor scholarship applications open in the University of Toledo Scholarship Portal
December: FAFSA available
December 15: Priority admission application date for new freshman merit scholarships
December 15: Priority donor scholarship application date
February 1: Priority date for FAFSA submission
March: Begin sending financial aid offers to new undergraduate students
March 1: Deadline for most scholarship applications. NOTE: Deadlines vary. Doublecheck
the deadlines in the
Mid-March: Summer Aid Application becomes available
April: Begin sending financial aid offers to graduate/professional and continuing undergraduate
students
June 1: Most donor scholarships are awarded
Priority deadlines are not final deadlines. Applications received on or before the
priority deadline will receive priority consideration. Applications received after
the priority deadline will receive consideration on a funds-available basis.
Meet Naba Rizvi
Class of 2020, Information Technology
“For me, enrolling at UToledo was the fastest path to becoming financially independent since I knew I could support myself with scholarships, internships and on-campus employment.”
Naba is passionate about technology and breaking barriers. She was one of 20 U.S. students to win a Google Women Techmaker Scholarship in 2018. Naba also launched an education-technology company to increase diversity in computer science. She is pursuing a Ph.D. at UC-San Diego.
Meet Deidra Buenger
Class of 2020, English literature and Asian studies with a minor in Japanese, Holland, Ohio
“I chose UToledo because my father and sister were alumni, but also because of the strong natural sciences programs and financial aid. Without merit-based scholarships, there is no way I could have taken on study-abroad and research opportunities, let alone complete my degree. Everything I've been able to do here is because my academic merit produced access to scholarships. As long as you work hard you have more opportunities.”
Deidra spent her junior year studying in Tokyo. Her merit scholarships helped finance her time abroad. A grant from UToledo’s Office of Undergraduate Research helped fund her summer research.
Meet Quatez Scott
PH.D. candidate, educational theory and social foundations, Cincinnati
“I was initially just going to pay for school and go part time. But UToledo launched a new diversity ambassador fellowship, and I was awarded a fellowship. The Dean’s Scholars and Fellows program put me in a position to pay much less for school, thus being able to focus more on my academics. I’m now in a real position to complete my Ph.D. in less than four years.”