Office of International Student and Scholar Services

Donald N. Nelson Scholarship for semester and academic year study abroad

The Donald N. Nelson Scholarship supports semester global experiences with a preference for those that incorporate a foreign language.

Applicant eligibility requirements

• • Ohio resident 
  • full-time, degree-seeking undergraduate student
  • Rising sophomore or higher 
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA
  • Must continue studies at home university for at least one semester during which a follow-on project will be completed

Program eligibility requirements

• • Credit-bearing study abroad, international internship or virtual international program
  • Approved by home school
  • Study abroad and internship programs must be at least one semester in duration; virtual international programs must be at least 4 weeks.

Preference is given to first-time study abroad applicants studying physically or virtually in a non-English-speaking country and taking courses or interning in the native language of the host country.

Deadlines

December 1, at 11:59 pm for spring semester programs 

Link to spring semester scholarship application: Spring 2025 Nelson Scholarship Application

May 1, at 11:59 pm for fall semester and academic year programs

Link to fall semester scholarship application: Fall 2025 Nelson Scholarship Application

Please note that the scholarship application must be completed in one sitting. Be sure to have your essays written and ready to copy and paste into the application.

You will be required to write two essays. The prompts are as follows:

Essay 1: Write a personal statement articulating your goals for your international experience and how your selected program will help you attain them. Please also explain how the experience relates to your degree and career plans.

The essay should be approximately 500 words and double spaced. Please use the following naming convention for the file: FirstnameLastnameEssay1 (e.g. JaneDoeEssay1).

Essay 2: Nelson scholarship awardees are expected to complete a service project at their home university following their international experience that helps to promote study abroad experiences and funding opportunities like the scholarships sponsored by the Ohio International Consortium. 

Please write an essay outlining your service project. Be sure to articulate who your target audience is and how your project will impact this group. 

The essay should be approximately 250 words and double spaced. Please use the following naming convention for the file: FirstnameLastnameEssay2 (e.g. JaneDoeEssay2).

OIC scholarship for short-term study abroad

Applicant eligibility requirements

• • Ohio resident 
  • full-time, degree-seeking undergraduate student
  • Rising sophomore or higher 
  • Minimum 2.5 GPA
  • Must continue studies at home campus for at least one semester 

Program eligibility requirements

• • Participate in a credit-bearing study abroad, international internship or virtual international program.
  • Approved by home school
  • Programs must take place during the academic year and be 5-31 days in length

Awardees are expected to work with their home study abroad office to develop a virtual service project that will allow them to share their experience with fellow students and the OIC.

Preference is given to first-time study abroad applicants.

Deadline

November 15, at 11:59 pm EST

Link to the scholarship application: OIC Scholarship for Short-Term Study Abroad

Please note that the scholarship application must be completed in one sitting. Be sure to have your essays written and ready to copy and paste into the application.

You will be required to write an essay:

Write a 500-word essay explaining why you selected your study abroad program, how the experience fits into your degree and career plans, and any challenges you may have faced in making your study abroad experience a reality.

The essay should be approximately 500 words and double spaced. Please use the following naming convention for the file: FirstnameLastnameEssay1 (e.g. JaneDoeEssay1).

Ohio International Consortium Outstanding International Student Award

Applicant eligibility requirements

• Student must be nominated by the International Office at their institution.
• Student must be full-time, currently enrolled, on non-immigrant student visa (F-1, J-1, M-1).
• Graduate students working on thesis or dissertation are eligible.
• Student must be on schedule to graduate spring, summer, or fall of the year they are applying.
• Student must be attending an Ohio International Consortium member institution.

Program eligibility requirements

Two awards will be given annually ($1,500 each), one for undergraduate students and one for graduate students.

Students must be nominated by their institution.  The International Office at the student's institution will inform the student of their nomination and request the following 

1. Completed application form from student.
2. Completed essay questions.
3. Current resume/curriculum vita.
4. Two letters of reference:  At least one from a faculty member who is familiar with the applicant’s professional and personal achievements. The other may be from a departmental staff member, another faculty member or a fellow student.
5. International Office Nomination form completed by the nominating school.

Deadline

Students must submit the completed application and supporting documents to their International Office by May 1, at 5:00 pm.

Institutions must submit the official nominations by May 31 to the Outstanding International Student Awards Committee at cushinrb@ucmail.uc.edu.

 Students:  For more information, see the OIC Outstanding International Student Award Student Application.

Nominating Institutions:  For more information, see the OIC Outstanding International Student Award School Nomination.