Miami University merit aid for 2027: the test-optional exception to notice
Miami University in Oxford, Ohio publishes merit amounts for fall 2027, but explicitly says scholarships are not guaranteed. Its ordinary merit route and its Honors College/Presidential Fellows route also have different testing rules. That distinction matters if you are applying without ACT or SAT scores.
Use this guide to decide which application route deserves attention. The comparison concerns domestic first-year students at Oxford; it does not substitute the same figures for international or regional-campus applicants.
Compare the routes before comparing the dollars
On a smaller screen, scroll the table sideways to see every column.
| Route | What to plan for | Budget treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Published domestic merit tiers | Complete admission application by December 1 priority date | Possible aid until awarded |
| Honors / Presidential Fellows | Opt in and supply ACT or SAT scores for fall 2027 | Highly competitive outcome |
| International merit | Follow the separate international aid instructions | Do not use the domestic chart |
These distinctions come from Miami's official scholarship page, checked October 29, 2026. A test-optional admission decision does not remove the stated test requirement for these honors opportunities.
Put the residency column next to your GPA
Selected fall 2027 annual figures are $5,000 for Ohio/reciprocal residents and $14,000 for nonresidents at a weighted 3.75-3.94 GPA; at 4.30+, the figures are $9,000 and $22,000. Miami may recalculate GPA when a school does not provide the requested weighted scale. Awards depend on availability and are not guaranteed.
The higher nonresident amount does not prove the nonresident price is lower. Compare the actual tuition charge for each residency category before subtracting the award. Also check whether the transcript number you use is the number Miami will use; a small boundary difference can matter when interpreting a chart.
Treat Presidential Fellows as an additional possibility
Miami describes fifteen Presidential Fellows awards per year covering tuition, fees, housing and food, with a $5,000 enrichment stipend. Candidates face additional review and interviews. The application must be complete by the December 1 priority date, including the required records.
Do the application if the university and program suit you, but build a second budget that assumes you do not receive this award. That prevents a selective competition from becoming the only way your college plan can work. Consider what the ordinary merit offer would leave unpaid and whether another college provides a more predictable option.
A workable application order
- Confirm Oxford campus, entry term and residency before choosing an aid chart.
- Request the transcript and recommendation early enough for the application to become complete.
- If seeking Honors/Fellows consideration, check the portal for the required test score rather than relying on the admissions label.
- After an award arrives, read its renewal conditions and compare the whole annual budget, including costs outside tuition.
Keep general merit, honors selection and need-based aid on separate lines in your tracker. One can be pending while another is decided. Use Meritously's comparison worksheet guidance to separate confirmed funds from possible awards before you pay an enrollment deposit.