Participating in Alumni Scholars Program
Participating in Alumni Scholars Program
It gives clubs the opportunity to recruit exemplary students from their area and encourage them to attend The Ohio State University.
The Alumni Scholars Program (ASP) is an opportunity for alumni clubs to recruit exemplary students from their local area, to help them financially and to encourage them to attend The Ohio State University.
We suggest that clubs award a minimum of $1000 from their Ohio State account.
Active clubs with a current use account may also be able to award $600 of university money. The university money is NOT A MATCH to what the club awards.
Clubs with endowment accounts do not have access to the university $600 scholarship.
Students must sign in to Scholarship Universe on the Financial Aid website with their name.# and if they match the club scholarship criteria, they are able to apply for the club scholarship. Students only need to have applied to Ohio State, they do not need to be accepted to Ohio State in order to apply in Scholarship Universe.
Additional information on scholarships and financial aid at Ohio State can be found at sfa.osu.edu. For questions, contact Leslie Smith at smith.6863@osu.edu, 614-292-6576 at the alumni association.
ASP is a merit-based program. Financial need is not a component unless specifically stated in the club’s fund description. The Office of Undergraduate Student Financial Aid awards recipients based on the recommendations of a club’s scholarship committee.
Eligible students should:
- Apply to Ohio State by November 1. It’s preferable that a student is admitted to the University but not required.
- Have a record of performance in activities both in school and in the community.
- Impress the scholarship committee with a sound interest and positive attitude toward college work.
- Be residents or attend high school in the area in which the participating alumni club’s membership is based. (See fund description.)
The scholarship committee may recommend a currently enrolled undergraduate or transfer student to be awarded the University-funded $600 scholarship if no entering freshman is attending Ohio State from the club area. If the scholarship is from club funds, it must be in accordance with any current use or endowment description.
Renewal awards for upper class students can be made as long as they comply with the club’s endowment description.
Ohio State student athletes (varsity and walk-on) may be eligible to receive a club scholarship. Each case will be reviewed by The Athletic Compliance Office to determine if the student can keep the club scholarship.
- Download the current ASP forms. Never use old forms.
- Select your committee, brief them on procedure.
- Email the “Information for the Students and Counselors” with the application link to guidance counselors in the club area.
The projected available balance to award will be sent to the scholarship leader in February.
- Students complete the online application from December 1 through February 15.
- Submitted applications will be sent to the club scholarship leader.
- Review applications. Your committee can make recommendations based solely on applications or by phone interviews only. Virtual and in-person interviews are an option. There are very particular guidelines that must be followed. See ASP Scholarship Forms for process and forms required. They are time sensitive.
- Evaluate applicants using the ASP Score Sheet.
- Email the following items to Leslie Smith, smith.6863@osu.edu by March 1 or as soon as possible.
- Cover sheet
- Entering freshmen rankings and Alternate entering freshmen rankings
- If appropriate, currently enrolled Ohio State student rankings and Alternate currently enrolled student rankings
The club recommendations to The Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid are not final until they post awards to recipient’s Buckeye Link account. This process takes place in March for entering freshmen and late May for currently enrolled students.
Financial Aid will not begin the process without money in the club’s account to cover the award(s).
Mail a club check using the Gift Processing Form to Ohio State Foundation lockbox:
The Ohio State University Foundation
PO Box 736096
Chicago, IL 60673-6096
Notify Leslie Smith of the date sent and amount of check.
*Send club scholarship fund-raised monies in to OSUAA twice a year, by June 30 and December 30.
Leslie Smith, Stewardship Coordinator Alumni Scholars Program
E-mail: smith.6863@osu.edu
Phone: 614-292-6576
Scholarship news for you
Scholarship Success
The Franklin County Alumni Club has developed a highly successful approach to managing its scholarship program and has generously agreed to share its keys to success.
The Franklin County Club receives more scholarship applications than any other club with 232 this year, following more than 270 last year. Planning begins each fall with volunteer recruitment to review applications. Using the club newsletter, email, and Facebook the club recruited 34 volunteers this year. Scholarship leader Frank Stoy emphasizes proactive communication, clear instructions and regular updates to keep volunteers engaged. The volunteer pool is notably diverse, with many contributing specifically to the scholarship process. Alternates are also identified as needed. Each spring, the board hosts a thank-you lunch, which has proven effective in sustaining participation. Feedback gathered during the lunch helps inform planning for the next year.
Volunteers independently read and score applications using their own criteria, such as GPA, family circumstances, involvement, extracurriculars or work experience. No formal scoring rubric is used, and the process has consistently produced strong results. Volunteers have 10 days to review applications and submit their top 10 students. Each application is read by three volunteers. The top seven candidates advance to interviews with four scholarship committee members, resulting in three recommended scholarship recipients.
Recipients are invited to speak at the club’s June membership appreciation celebration. A future option used by other clubs is presenting certificates at recipients’ high school awards assemblies, which also serves as a recruitment tool for future applicants.
The scholarship leader role requires about one hour per month most of the year, increasing to 10–15 hours in February and March. Volunteers spend 4–5 hours reviewing applications during the 10 day period. Committee members assist by coordinating logistics, communications with high schools and recognition events.
The program’s success is supported by a strong transition plan established by former scholarship leader and current president Brad Farmer. Clear processes and shared knowledge help ensure continuity. Frank is available to speak with other presidents or scholarship leaders; contact information is available through emailing Leslie Smith.
Ohio State to continue tuition guarantee for 2026–27
Please review the university’s article outlining student finances for the upcoming academic year. The out-of-state surcharge for non-Ohio residents has not yet been announced. For questions, contact Leslie Smith, Stewardship Coordinator, Alumni Scholarships Program