Giving News & Events

College of Social Work Establishes Scholarship Aid Fund for Social Work Students

In conjunction with The Ohio State University’s new Students First Students Now initiative, the College of Social Work has established two new funds aimed at providing funding for students.

The Social Work Students First Fund (#312958) supports students in the College of Social Work who are experiencing acute financial need. The Students First Study Abroad Support Fund (#312957) supports students in College of Social Work participating in one of the College's summer study abroad programs.

These funds come as an addition to the nearly $93,000 distributed each year in scholarships to Social Work students.

"Our profound commitment is to providing access to Ohio State's excellent educational opportunities," said President E. Gordon Gee. "Now more than ever, we must assure that young people are able to pursue their dreams, earn a degree, and use their talents to enhance our economy, our state and our world."

As part of the marketing of Students First Students Now, the University has recruited a select number of scholarship donors and their recent recipients.  Social Work Professor Emeritus John Behling (BSSW 1954, MSW 1957 and PhD 1961), his wife Nancy (MSW 1957), and their student recipient for academic year 2008-09 Elena Chu are among the “faces of Students First” to be featured on the University Development website this autumn.  Click here to view a filmed interview with Elena  Chu and the Behlings!

Elements of the University-Wide Students First plan include:

• Assurance that student financial aid will be protected through any budget difficulties.
• More than doubling the university's existing $850,000 short-term emergency loan fund with an additional $1 million through a transfer from the university's rainy day fund.
• Assistance, at any time during the year, in securing additional financial aid (loans, grants, scholarships) for students whose economic condition changes due to job loss by either the student or their parent(s).
• Fundraising emphasis on donations for student financial aid, both loans and scholarships.

If you would like to make a gift to the Social Work Students First Fund online, please click here to be directed to the University Development website. If you would like to contribute to this fund, but wish to mail in a gift, please direct your gift to The Ohio State University Foundation, 1480 Lane Ave, Columbus, OH 43221, and reference fund #312958.


Make a secure gift online.