Annual Scholarships and Awards for Undergraduate and Graduate Students

*Please note any changes in deadlines for some of the following awards 

The Norbert and Gretel B. Bloch Endowed Scholarship Fund in Jewish Studies

A $1,000 scholarship plus a $1,500 program budget is awarded to a student engaged in Jewish Studies who will coordinate a program that will enhance awareness of topics relevant to Jewish life, culture, or history. 

The student will receive a program budget and will collaborate with Melton Center staff to plan, publicize and carry out the program. 
 

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Current enrollment as an undergraduate at Ohio State and continued enrollment for the following year
     
  • Current enrollment as an undergraduate or graduate at Ohio State
     
  • Successful completion of at least one Jewish studies course (e.g., Hebrew, Yiddish, or any other course with a Jewish studies topic)
     
  • Must be willing to commit time to help plan, publicize and carry out programming in conjunction with Melton Center staff.

 

Application Requirements:

  • Completed application form Deadline: Nov. 15, 2024
     
  • A copy of an Advising Report
     
  • A one-page proposal for a program or programming to enhance awareness of topics relevant to Jewish life, culture, or history
     
  • Two letters of recommendation from faculty members. Electronic letters of recommendation are acceptable (email to fireman.2@osu.edu)

 

The Ellen E. and Victor J. Cohn Education Abroad Scholarship Fund for Study at Hebrew University

Financial support is available for up to $5,000 for study at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. 

Preference will be given to students attending Hebrew University for the entire academic year and are returning Autumn 2024 semester. 

The award is contingent on acceptance to the Hebrew University and Ohio State approval of student travel to Israel. 

DEADLINES: DECEMBER 2, 2024 for winter semester 2025, and March 3, 2025 for summer or fall of 2025.

Up to $5000 is available for up to two students.

 

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Current enrollment as an undergraduate at Ohio State and continued enrollment for the following year
     
  • Desire to study at Hebrew University

 

Application Requirements:

  • Completed application form Deadline for spring semester, December 2, 2024; Deadline for summer or fall, March 3, 2025.
     
  • A copy of an Advising Report
     
  • Detailed budget including program expenses and travel, including the dollar amount you are are able to contribute.
     
  • Two letters of recommendation from faculty members. Electronic letters of recommendation are acceptable (email to fireman.2@osu.edu)
     
  • Please submit a statement (250-400 words) explaining how you expect study at Hebrew University to enhance your academic career.
     
  • A copy of the acceptance letter from Hebrew University

 

The George and Emily Severinghaus Beck Education Abroad Scholarship

This scholarship is for students who wish to study Yiddish in the United States and abroad. 

Priority will be given to undergraduate students who are returning Autumn 2025 semester. 

The award is contingent on acceptance to the academic program and Ohio State approval of student travel to a country outside the United States (if the program is located in an institution abroad). 

Please contact fireman.2@osu.edu for a current list of Yiddish programs approved for this scholarship.

Up to $2,000 is available to up to two students each year.

 

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Current enrollment as at Ohio State and continued enrollment for the following semester
     
  • Past foreign language experience (any foreign language experience) 

 

Application Requirements:

  • Completed application form Deadline: Friday, March 3, 2025.
     
  • Detailed budget including program expenses and travel, including the dollar amount you are are able to contribute.
     
  • A copy of an Advising Report
     
  • A copy of your acceptance letter to the program you have chosen.
     
  • One letter of recommendation from a faculty member. Electronic letters of recommendation are acceptable. (email to fireman.2@osu.edu)
     
  • Please submit a statement (250-400 words) explaining how you expect study at the the program you have chosen to enhance your academic career, and plans for how the program would be beneficial to you in the future.

 

The Morris and Fannie Skilken Family Foundation Endowment Fund Scholarship for Yiddish and Ashkenazi Studies

Supports undergraduate students who study Hebrew, Yiddish and Ashkenazi Studies, Jewish Studies, or studies in Jewish oral history and are returning Autumn 2025 semester. 

Up to $2000 is available per academic year for up to TWO students.

 

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Minimum 3.3 overal GPA
     
  • Recipients will be chosen on the basis of academic performance and commitment to the goals of Jewish Studies scholarship.
     
  • Current enrollment as an undergraduate at Ohio State and continued enrollment for the following year
     
  • Must have completed one course in an area of Jewish Studies
     

Application Requirements:

  • Completed application form. Deadline: March 3, 2025.
     
  • A copy of an Advising Report
     
  • Two letters of recommendation from faculty members. Electronic letters of recommendation are acceptable (email to fireman.2@osu.edu)
     
  • Please submit a statement (250-400 words) explaining the award's relevance to your academic, professional, and personal goals.

 

The Reva and Sanford Lipson Student Support Fund

Supports undergraduate students who study Hebrew, Yiddish and Ashkenazi Studies, Jewish Studies, or studies in Jewish oral history and are returning Autumn 2025 semester. 

Up to $2,000 can be awarded to TWO students.

 

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Current enrollment as an undergraduate at Ohio State and continued enrollment for the following year
     
  • Successful completion of one Jewish Studies course (e.g., Hebrew, Yiddish, or any other course with a Jewish Studies topic). 
     
  • Preference given to students who major or minor in Jewish Studies, Jewish Oral History, Hebrew, or Yiddish.

 

Application Requirements:

  • Completed application form. Deadline: March 3, 2025
     
  • A copy of an Advising Report
     
  • Two letters of recommendation from faculty members. Electronic letters of recommendation are acceptable (email to fireman.2@osu.edu)
     
  • Please submit a statement (250-400 words) explaining the award's relevance to your academic, professional, and personal goals.

 

The Charlotte Susan Roth Memorial Fund Essay Contest

There are first and second prizes in the graduate and undergraduate categories. First prize is $750, second prize is $500. 

Essay topics can include any aspect of Jewish Studies (Bible, language, literature, history, philosophy, sociology, culture of Israel, rabbinics, etc.)  

Open to any currently enrolled graduate and undergraduate student who has written a paper on a topic related to Jewish Studies from autumn semester to spring semester.

 

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Current enrollment as an undergraduate or graduate student at Ohio State.

 

Application Requirements:

  • Completed application form. Deadline: March 3, 2025.
     
  • A copy of an Advising Report
     
  • One essay of no fewer than 1500 words. Bibliography and footnoting of research materials are required. Essay may be a revision of a paper initially written for a course. Your name and/or course information must not appear on your essay, so the committee may score your essay without knowing who it belongs to.
     
  • Please submit essay in PDF format via the "browse" function on the application form. Your name must NOT appear on your essay. We will match your essay with your application submission.
     

The Leah Metchnick Godofsky and Martin R. Godofsky Scholarship of the Columbus Jewish Foundation 

In memory of Clara U. and Abraham Mayer Metchnick

Upon consultation with the faculty, the Student Awards Committee of the Melton Center for Jewish Studies at The Ohio State University will award $1,200 annually to one deserving undergraduate student who is enrolled in courses of Jewish study at the university level. 

This award is nominated by faculty and does not require an application.

For more information, contact Lori Fireman, fireman.2@osu.edu.