Office of International Student & Scholar Services

Ohio International Consortium Study Abroad Nelson Scholarship is for an Ohio resident who is a full-time, degree-seeking undergraduate student. Be at least a rising sophomore with a minimum 3.0 GPA. The selected student must return to the home campus for at least one semester during which the follow-on project will be completed and be accepted into an accredited study abroad program that has been approved by the home school. Programs must be at least one semester in duration. Preference is given to first-time study abroad applicants studying in a non-English-speaking country and taking courses in the native language of the host country.

Deadlines: February 15 at 11:59 pm for fall semester and academic year programs

                 October 15 at 11:59 pm for spring semester programs

Link to scholarship application: 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 upload when you start the application.

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

Essay 1: Upload a personal statement articulating your goals for your study abroad 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 study abroad experience that helps to promote study abroad experiences and funding opportunities like the scholarships sponsored by the Ohio International Consortium. 

Please upload 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).

The OIC Scholarship for Short-Term Study Abroad is for an OHIO resident who is a full-time, degree-seeking undergraduate student from an Ohio International Consortium member school and at least a rising sophomore with a minimum 2.5 GPA. The applicant must be participating on an accredited study abroad program that has been approved by the home school. Programs must be between 5 and 20 days in duration and take place during the academic year, starting after the beginning of fall semester and ending before the start of summer semester. Applicants must be embarking on their first college-level study abroad experience.

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

Deadeline: December 1 at 11:59pm EST

Link to 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 upload when you start the application.

Essay: Upload a personal statement 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: FirstnameLastnameEssay (e.g. JaneDoeEssay).

The Outstanding International Student Awards have been developed by the Ohio International Consortium as a way to recognize international students who have become assets to the State of Ohio. These awards uniquely symbolize the spirit of Ohio's New Americans initiative by rewarding students who have succeeded academically and successfully integrated into the fabric of their campuses and surrounding communities. Two awards will be given annually, one for undergraduate students and one for graduate students.

Potential awardees must be nominated by the International Student Office at the institution they are enrolled.  Applicants may attach any certificates or relevant supporting documents that address the following criteria:

Scholarship: The creation and application of knowledge, with an emphasis on scholarly inquiry, research, experimentation, investigation and creative production.

Global Citizenship and Competence: The ability to apply knowledge and skills for responsible civic life and action. To foster a student’s ability to appreciate, investigate and understand a cultural background different from his or her own.  Cultural competency promotes tolerance, understanding and respect for a variety of cultures, domestic and international, and facilitates opportunity for interaction, communication and engagement.

Leadership/Partnership: Motivating others to take actions that would not otherwise have been taken. Influencing and energizing the ideas, actions and capabilities of others toward the betterment of society. Working collaboratively to address complex issues and problems, both within and beyond the boundaries of their university.

To be eligible for this award, the applicant must be a full-time, currently enrolled student on a non-immigrant student visa. Graduate students finished with all required course work who are writing a thesis or dissertation, are also eligible.  Students must be on schedule to graduate during the current academic year and be attending an Ohio International Consortium Member institution.

Ohio International Consortium Member Institutions:

Bowling Green State University, Central State University, Cleveland State University, Kent State University, Miami University, Ohio University, The Ohio State University, Shawnee State University, University of Akron, University of Cincinnati, University of Toledo, Youngstown State University, Wright State University

The awards, sponsored by the Ohio International Consortium, carry a cash value of $1,500.

The completed application and supporting documents are due by March 1, at 5 p.m.  Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

The application packet consists of:

1. Completed application form.

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.

The application form and supporting documents must be submitted to a DSO in the International Office at the institution the student attends. The DSO then submits a nomination to the awards committee chair, Ron Cushing, at the University of Cincinnati. The nomination and supporting materials can be emailed to cushinrb@ucmail.uc.edu.

Please e-mail any questions to the Outstanding International Student Awards Committee at cushinrb@ucmail.uc.edu.