Sinclair Direct
Admission Program
Your path to Sinclair starts before graduation.
Sinclair Direct gives eligible high school seniors at participating schools an early, guaranteed offer of admission to Sinclair College, along with support to help make the transition from high school to college easier.
Welcome, Future Sinclair Students!
College may be closer than you think. Through Sinclair Direct, eligible graduating seniors from participating local school districts receive guaranteed admission to Sinclair before high school graduation.
But Sinclair Direct is about more than receiving an acceptance. Sinclair and your high school will work together to help you understand your options, complete important enrollment steps, explore careers and programs, navigate financial aid, and prepare for your first semester at Sinclair.
More Than an Acceptance Letter
Sinclair Direct is designed to create a supported pathway from high school to college and help you feel prepared for what comes next.
Guaranteed Admission
Eligible graduating seniors receive an early offer of admission to Sinclair before high school graduation.
Enrollment Support
Get help understanding enrollment steps, program options, orientation, onboarding, and what you need to do before classes begin.
Financial Aid Guidance
Sinclair will provide FAFSA completion assistance and financial aid guidance to help students and families navigate paying for college.
Career & Academic Planning
Explore career options, academic programs, and pathways with support from Sinclair before your first semester begins.
What Can I Expect?
Sinclair Direct connects you with support throughout the transition from high school to college.
Sinclair and participating schools are working together to make college enrollment easier to understand and help students move confidently from acceptance to their first semester.
- Early admission notification before high school graduation
- Admissions presentations and application support
- Enrollment guidance and help understanding your next steps
- FAFSA completion assistance and financial aid guidance
- Academic advising and career exploration
- Campus visits and enrollment events for students and families
- Orientation and onboarding support
- Connections to tutoring and other Sinclair student success resources
Participating School Districts
Sinclair Direct currently partners with eight participating schools and districts to help students make a successful transition from high school to college.
Dayton Public Schools
Jefferson Township Local Schools
Mad River Local Schools
Northridge Local Schools
Trotwood-Madison City Schools
Valley View Local Schools
West Carrollton City Schools
Dixie High School
The Montgomery County Educational Service Center helps bring participating districts together and supports regional collaboration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about Sinclair Direct Promise scholarship eligibility, coverage, and requirements.
Program & Scholarship Questions
Who is eligible?
High school seniors from qualifying high school districts receive a letter informing them that they are part of the Sinclair Direct program.
All Sinclair Direct participants are eligible for last-dollar scholarship funding if they complete required activities and meet financial aid deadlines. All requirements are outlined below.
What does the last-dollar scholarship cover?
Scholarship funding covers tuition and course fees for classes required for students’ first associate degree (or Tartan TOPS certificate), after any other grants and scholarships are applied.
NOTE: Books purchased out of pocket or via Sinclair Ecampus, supplies, living expenses, non-required course fees, and Aviation Flight Lab Fees are not covered.
Is there an expiration date for the scholarship?
The high school Class of 2027 must take Sinclair College classes in Fall 2027, Spring 2028, or Summer 2028. After Summer 2028, scholarship eligibility expires.
Note: Students who need a deferment (Examples: military service, mission trip, etc.) can email scholarships@sinclair.edu to request an Appeal.
Is a separate application required for this scholarship funding?
No. If you complete the Financial Aid Requirements below by the posted deadlines and register in 6+ credit hours, your classes will automatically be covered!
Is there a minimum number of classes required per semester?
A student must enroll in at least six credit hours per semester which are required for the student’s associate degree (or Tartan TOPS) program. This is typically at least 2-3 classes per term and is considered a part-time course schedule.
NOTE: If you don’t have 6 credit hours you can take once you reach the last semester of your program, you can email scholarships@sinclair.edu and request a waiver of that requirement.
Do students have to take classes every semester?
No. Students are not required to enroll every term.
Do students need to take classes every school year?
Yes. Students must take classes every academic year to maintain scholarship eligibility.
Here at Sinclair, the school year includes Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. As long as you take classes in 1 of those 3 semesters, you’ll stay on the eligible student list for the scholarship.
Students with program waitlists or other extenuating circumstances must email scholarships@sinclair.edu to file an Appeal form.
Is there a limit on how much scholarship funding students can receive?
No. Funds continue until you complete your first associate degree (or Tartan TOPS certificate). Funds cover required classes, plus course fees charged to your student account, as long as you take at least 6 credit hours per semester.
Can I do a double major or take classes not required for my degree?
No, only classes required for your first associate degree (or Tartan TOPS certificate) can be covered by the scholarship. If you are doing a double major or taking any non-required classes, plan to pay for those out of pocket.
Meeting with an Academic Advisor each semester will allow you to be 100% sure that you’re only taking the classes needed for your major.
Can I change my major and still receive the scholarship?
Students are allowed to change their major one time before they are in danger of losing scholarship funding.
Note: Only associate degrees and the Tartan TOPS certificate are considered eligible majors for this scholarship. Bachelor’s Degree classes are not covered.
Is attendance at a Sinclair Registration and Orientation Day required to qualify for funds?
Yes. Students must participate in a Sinclair Registration and Orientation Day prior to their first college semester after high school graduation.
Financial Aid & Academic Requirements
Is the FAFSA required?
Yes. You must complete your financial aid steps by the deadlines below to keep the scholarship.
After these deadlines, funds are NOT guaranteed.
- Complete the FAFSA application at studentaid.gov by March 1st prior to high school graduation.
- After filing the FAFSA, complete any follow-up documents on your my.Sinclair Financial Aid Checklist by the deadline of July 1st.
Note: If you cannot file the FAFSA due to citizenship status, email scholarships@sinclair.edu to explain your situation by July 1st.
Are there GPA or class completion requirements?
Students must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards which are emailed to your my.Sinclair inbox each semester. In a nutshell, you must:
- Maintain a minimum overall GPA of 2.0
- Complete at least 66.67% (two-thirds) of all credit hours you take at Sinclair
- Finish your program of study within 150% of the credit hours required for your major which are listed on Sinclair course catalog when you look up your major
Only taking classes required for your major will help make sure that you’re completing your program in a timely manner.
The Financial Aid & Scholarships office will email you a warning to your my.Sinclair inbox if you do not meet one of the standards.
However, life happens, so there is a SAP Appeal available if your status becomes ineligible. You are required to either meet the above SAP requirements or have an approved SAP Appeal on file to qualify for scholarship funding through the Sinclair Direct Promise program.
Do I lose the scholarship if I drop classes?
It is very important to speak with Financial Aid before dropping classes. You can visit them on the first floor of Building 10 or by emailing finaid@sinclair.edu. They can explain the consequences of dropping classes based on your personal financial aid profile.
Who can I talk to if I have more questions?
Email scholarships@sinclair.edu with any additional questions. No question is too small!
Already Part of Sinclair Direct?
We're excited to help you take the next step toward college.
Watch for information from Sinclair and your high school about enrollment activities, financial aid assistance, campus visits, orientation, and other opportunities created for Sinclair Direct students.
Questions About Sinclair Direct?
Your high school counselor and Sinclair's admissions team can help you understand your next steps.