C-Paw license plates encourage Ohioans to drive with Bearcats pride
Supporting UC on the road also supports scholarships
It's natural to be proud of your university and to want to share that pride with others. It's also natural to want to extend a helping hand to others when you can. Whenever there's an easy way to do both things at once, it's a big win-win.
A lot of Bearcats are doing just that, thanks to the C-Paw License Plate Program, where you can purchase your annual Ohio vehicle license plates from the state of Ohio with the University of Cincinnati’s iconic C-Paw displayed. By paying the annual special-plate fee of $35, drivers can demonstrate their Bearcats for Life pride on the road while automatically sending $25 from the fee back to UC to fund student scholarships.
The UC Alumni Association has been administering the C-Paw License Plate Program since 2002. Currently there are more than 4,000 such plates on Ohio roads, collectively generating over $100,000 in scholarship support annually.
Our UC plates show everyone that we are Bearcats!
Rick Fiorenza, CEAS ’83
“About a decade ago when Ohio changed its base license plate, we decided to add the C-Paw logo,” said Lynn Hickman-Long, CECH ’95, of Beavercreek, Ohio. “We live in Florida part of the year, and our UC plates prompt all kind of Ohio, Bearcats sports, and Cincinnati discussions on the road and in our Florida town.”
Rick Fiorenza, CEAS ’83, of West Chester, Ohio, has been sporting the C-Paw on both of his cars since 2018, with one further customized with a “CATS83” vanity plate reflecting the year he earned his degree in chemical engineering from UC. "Our UC plates show everyone that we are Bearcats! We also have UC license plate holders and stickers on the back window of each, so there is no doubt where we went to school," he said.
“I knew some of the money went to UC for scholarships and that was a bonus. I also donate and play in the CEAS golf outing each year to raise more scholarship funds. I had an Honors scholarship as an undergraduate so I realize the importance of that money to the students.”
For Ohio-based alumni, faculty, staff, students, and fans, no matter what is special to you about UC, there’s ample reason to display your affection and pride as you drive.
Learn more about the UC Bearcats License Plate and how to order online directly from the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
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