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UndergraduateAdmissions, Scholarships & Aid

Congratulations! You have decided to be a social work major. The Ohio State University College of Social Work is one of the most prestigious social work colleges and the longest, continuously accredited social work program in the United States.

We welcome you!

Applications open Aug. 1

Whether you’re a prospective first-year student or transfer student,
get to know Ohio State online or in person.

Register for an in-person or online admissions event

Social Work Admitted Student Online Visit

At this virtual program, you will meet other admitted social work students, connect with current students and your academic advisors, explore your academic program, and have an opportunity to ask questions. Learn more about the College of Social Work and connect with the incoming Class of Autumn 2025.

Registration opens in January 2025 for this program

Scholarships & Financial Aid

PLANNING FOR YOUR FUTURE

Financial aid can consist of scholarships, grants, loans and part-time employment. The university makes every effort within its means to help all students with limited financial resources secure their needed funds. Early and realistic financial planning is essential to ensure that you will have adequate resources to be able to attend Ohio State and take advantage of the many experiences that the university offers.

Please contact the Buckeye Link at 614-292-0300 for answers to all of your financial aid questions.

SOCIAL WORK SCHOLARSHIPS 

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 and funds will be applied in Autumn 2025 and Spring 2026.

You will be asked to submit the following documents:

  • A personal essay that describes your career goals and aspirations and discusses how you have incorporated the values of service and social justice in your work, volunteer, and educational experiences and in your interactions with others.
  • A one-page résumé that highlights work, volunteer, and educational experiences relevant to the social work field.
  • Two academic or professional references.

If you are interested in being considered for a need-based scholarship, please complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.

Our scholarship application process is available through ScholarshipUniverse. Please log in with your OSU username (name.#) and password to create your ScholarshipUniverse account and complete the application process.

Kaitlyn Casper, Hilliard, Ohio, earned the inaugural 2024 First-Year Social Work Student Scholarship.

New First-Year Social Work Student Scholarship

The College of Social Work is offering a merit-based scholarship to eligible first-year social work students. The $10,000 scholarship is available in the 2025-26 academic year. The application opens in ScholarshipUniverse (https://osu.scholarshipuniverse.com/) December 1, 2024 and is due by March 15, 2025.

Award amount:

$10,000 ($5,000/autumn semester; $5,000/spring semester)

Criteria:

  • Must be an incoming, first-year social work student.
  • Must apply by the early action (Nov. 1) deadline, be admitted to the Columbus campus and attend the Columbus campus.
  • Must be a state of Ohio resident or resident of any other U.S. state.
  • Can enroll as a full-time student in autumn semester and spring semester as a social work major, following high school graduation.
  • Must be actively engaged in leadership, service, and social justice activities.

Please note:

  • The scholarship awardee will be notified of their selection in April 2025.
  • Scholarships are awarded for one academic year only. Both incoming and current students must submit an application every year to be considered for scholarships.