Your Journey Starts Here: First-Time College Students at Capital University
Starting college is a big step, and at Capital University, we’re excited to help you take it. We know you’ve worked hard to get here, and we’re ready to support you every step of the way. With diverse academic programs, a vibrant campus community, and personalized support, Capital University is the place where you can turn your ambitions into achievements.
Why Choose Capital University?
Capital University is all about empowering students to explore, learn, and succeed. Here, you’ll find small class sizes, expert faculty who know you by name, and countless opportunities to get involved on campus. Your first year at Capital is just the beginning of an incredible journey.
"I decided to come to Capital because I felt I would thrive in a close-knit environment with smaller class sizes, giving me the chance to truly get to know my professors."
- Emily Barthomew
Class of 2026
The Admission Process Made Simple:
Step 1: Apply to Capital University
Applying to Capital is simple and convenient. By submitting your admission application, you’re also applying for our range of scholarships, so there's no extra paperwork.
Step 2: File the FAFSA
The FAFSA opens in December. To be considered for need-based aid and awards, you’ll need to submit the FAFSA annually. Make sure to use Capital University’s school code: 003023. It’s a crucial step in maximizing your financial aid package.
Step 3: Discover Your Scholarships and Aid
Every full-time admitted student starts with the Main Street Scholarship – our foundational award of up to $80,000 over four years. But that’s just the beginning. At Capital, we offer a variety of scholarships, including the Capital Merit Scholarship and the Comet Community Award, that can be added on top of the Main Street Scholarship.
Comet Community Award:
A $5,000 annual award for students who live in campus housing, giving you the full Capital experience. Renewable each year, this award is applied directly to housing costs.
The Capital Merit Scholarship
A renewable award given to students with outstanding academic achievements. Find your GPA on our scholarship chart to see how much you could receive in addition to the Main Street Scholarship.
| Weighted High School GPA | Capital Merit Scholarship | Main Street Scholarship | Main Street + Capital Merit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0-3.19 | $2,000/yr. | $20,000 | $22,000/yr. |
| 3.2-3.49 | $4,000/yr. | $20,000 | $24,000/yr. |
| 3.5-3.79 | $6,000/yr. | $20,000 | $26,000/yr. |
| 3.8-3.99 | $7,000/yr. | $20,000 | $27,000/yr. |
| 4.0 and above | $8,000/yr. | $20,000 | $28,000/yr. |
Explore Additional Awards
Beyond the Main Street Scholarship, we offer a variety of other scholarships to help support your education:
- Capital Gateway Scholarship: Full tuition and fees for Ohio residents with a GPA of 3.5 or higher and an annual household income of $60,000 or less.
- National Merit Scholarship: Up to full room and board for National Merit finalists or semi-finalists enrolled full-time.
- ROTC: Up to full tuition with room and board (cannot be combined with the Comet Community Award). Based on merit, leadership potential, and physical aptitude.
- Conservatory Performance Award: Up to $5,500 applied to tuition per year. Audition-based award for music majors.
- Music Composition Scholarship: Up to $3,500 applied to tuition per year for full-time composition majors based on portfolio evaluation.
- Sibling Award: $1,000 per year if you have a sibling enrolled full-time at Capital.
- Lutheran Heritage Grant: $1,000 per year for members of a Lutheran congregation or children of a Lutheran pastor.
- Partners in Education: Matching up to $500 per year contributed by a Lutheran congregation.