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Financing Your EducationPlanning for your future

Financial aid is intended to help you finance your education when family and personal resources are not adequate to meet your total educational costs. Financial aid is available in the form of scholarships, grants, and loans.

The Ohio State University College of Social Work offers a very competitive tuition rate. Ohio residents and online students, even those outside of Ohio, pay in-state tuition, which is $6,570 per semester for a full-time student (8-18 credit hours). On campus, out-of-state students pay out-of-state tuition rates.

Master of Social Work students have the option of being full-time or part-time students. A student taking between 8-18 credit hours a semester is considered full time. Anything under eight credit hours a semester is considered part time. Keep in mind, eight credit hours costs the same as 18 credit hours, even if you are a part-time student who is taking 8 or 9 hours.

Tuition and Fees

Student Financial Aid

Please visit the web site of OSU’s Student Financial Aid Office for more information:

1st Floor SAS Building
281 W Lane Ave,
Columbus, Ohio 43210
Email: buckeyelink@osu.edu
Phone: 614-292-0300
Toll-free: 800-678-6440 

OSU School Code for FAFSA is 003090. 

College of Social Work Scholarships

The College of Social Work understands the financial challenges you may face in completing your social work education and offers numerous scholarship opportunities made possible through the generous contributions of our donors.

The College of Social Work Scholarship application for the 2025-26 academic year will open on Dec. 1, and will close March 15. Our scholarships are varied and awarded based on academic achievement, financial need, and professional area of interest in social work. Scholarship awardees will be notified of their selection in April 2026 and funds will be applied in Autumn 2026 and Spring 2027.

Submit your scholarship application

  • A personal statement: a prompt will be available on online application.
  • A one-page résumé that highlights work, volunteer, and educational experiences relevant to the social work field.
  • The name and contact information of three academic or professional references.

If you are interested in being considered for a need-based scholarship, you must also complete the FAFSA by March 15.

Graduate School Fellowships

There are a number of fellowships offered through the Graduate School.  If you are interested in being nominated for fellowships, please visit the Graduate School web page to determine your eligibility and deadlines to apply. Fellowships are available for full-time on campus students only. 

Please note: in order to be considered for a University Fellowship nomination, applications must be submitted by Dec. 1. 

Graduate School Fellowships

Ready to Apply to Graduate School at Ohio State?

Check out the BTAA FreeApp Fee Waiver

  1. Complete the FreeApp Request Form
  2. Check your email frequently for updates regarding program verification and next steps:
    • General eligibility requirements for the FreeApp Fee Waiver
    • Participation in SROP, McNair, LSAMP, Hughes, AmeriCorps, GEM, or the National Name Exchange – will require proof of participation from
      a program coordinator.
  3. Apply to Ohio State
    • Complete your OSU application 2 weeks after completing your FreeApp Fee Waiver Request Form OR after receiving confirmation from gradrecruit@osu.edu.
    • When filling out your OSU application select: “Big Ten Academic Alliance FREE APP” in the Submit tab, section “Fee Waivers.”
  4. Final Confirmation
    • The Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions will send you an email (“Thank you for Applying”) once your FreeApp Fee Waiver and Graduate Application have
      been verified and accepted.
    • Questions regarding the BTAA FreeApp or the verification process? Contact us at: gradrecruit@osu.edu

Additional Resources

If you are unsure of how you will be able to pay your tuition fees, please find the TOPP Payment Plan option from the Registrar’s Office

Find more information on aid for Graduate and Professional Students from the Registrar, including: