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Effective Date: Fall 2026
Last Reviewed: Fall 2025
Last Revised: Not Applicable
Next Review: Fall 2036
Policy Statement
In accordance with Section 3345.48 of the Ohio Revised Code, Kent State University offers an Undergraduate Tuition Guarantee Program designed to provide students and families with financial predictability and promote timely degree completion.
All eligible new first-year and transfer undergraduate students are given the certainty that the Ohio resident tuition rate (i.e., instructional and general fee), career services fee and room and board plan charges will not increase for their applicable cohort rate.
Participation in the program is required for all new first-year, degree-seeking undergraduate and eligible transfer students enrolling at Kent State for the first time in the fall semester of 2018 or later.
Program Highlights
- Fixed Tuition and Fees: Ohio resident tuition rate, career services fee and room and board plan charges will not increase for their applicable cohort rate
- Eligibility: Students must be Ohio residents and enrolled full-time in a bachelor’s degree program.
- Cohort Definition: A cohort consists of students expected to graduate in the same academic year, including transfer students and those in designated academic programs.
- Program Completion:
- For a student who cannot complete the program in four years due to a lack of available classes or space in classes provided by the university, the university shall provide the necessary course or courses for completion to the student free of charge.
- For a student who cannot complete the program in four years due to military service or other circumstances beyond a student's control, as determined by the Kent State University Board of Trustees, the university shall provide the necessary course or courses for completion to the student at the student's initial cohort rate.
- For a student who did not complete the program in four years for any other reason, as determined by the Kent State University Board of Trustees, the university shall provide the necessary courses or courses for completion to the student at a rate determined by the Board of Trustees.
Reason for Policy
This policy ensures compliance with Ohio law while providing students and families with stable, predictable tuition and fee rates that support financial planning and encourage timely completion of an undergraduate degree.
Procedures
There are no procedures associated with this policy.
Forms/Instructions
There are no forms/instructions associated with this policy.
Additional Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
See FAQs on the Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center website.
Definitions
New First-Year Student: Any undergraduate, degree-seeking student enrolled at any of Kent State’s campuses for the first time on or after fall 2018, and who has not been enrolled at any other college or postsecondary institution. New first-year students include students who enroll at Kent State University after graduating from high school and non-traditional students who enroll at any of the Kent State campuses for the first time. New first-year students do not include non-degree-seeking students; College Credit Plus or Advanced High School; exchange students; and other students participating in other pre-enrollment or postsecondary option programs.
Transfer Student: Any student who transfers to Kent State University from another college or postsecondary institution. Transfer students who transferred from any college or university prior to fall semester 2018 are not covered by the Kent State Tuition Guarantee as they are considered part of the returning student cohort (new first-year students who started fall 2017, or prior term in which a cohort does not exist).
Related Information
Revision History
Effective Fall 2026: Establishes policy on the university's Undergraduate Tuition Guarantee Program.