OVERVIEW
The Alumni Scholars Program (ASP) presents an opportunity for alumni clubs to engage exemplary students from their local area, to help them financially and to encourage them to attend The Ohio State University.

Clubs must award scholarship money of at least $600 from their current use or endowment accounts. The scholarship money may be used to attend any of Ohio State's campuses.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

The Office of Undergraduate Student Financial Aid selects recipients based on the club’s Scholarship Committee recommendations. To receive an award students must:

• Be admitted to the university.
• Preferably ranked in the top 10% of their high school class if they will be awarded an OSU $600 funded scholarship.
• Be recommended by school principals, counselors, and/or teachers based on scholastic ability and character.
• Have a record of performance in activities both in school and in the community.
• Impress the Scholarship Committee with a sound interest and positive attitude toward college work.
• Be residents or attend high school in the area in which the participating alumni club's membership is based. (Students can only receive one OSU $600 funded scholarship)
• Be an incoming freshmen. If every attempt is made to recruit high school seniors for the award and no suitable applicants are found, the Scholarship Committee may recommend a currently enrolled undergraduate or transfer student. If this student is going to be awarded the OSU $600 funded scholarship the student must carry a 3.2 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale at the time of the award recommendation. If the scholarship is from club funds, it is the club’s decision regarding GPA.

OSU varsity student athletes are not eligible to receive a club scholarship.

IMPORTANT DEADLINES

At any time
Clubs can submit ASP Participation and Committee Membership List at any time.

September, October or November
Send copies of handouts to the local high schools  (or visit school and drop off):

• Information for the Student
• Application for Scholarship
• Financial Aid Checklist
• Scholarship Poster

Or, a list of admitted students may be used as a scholarship applicant base. Most out-of-state clubs follow this procedure. Please request the list from Nadine Holmes: Holmes@ohiostatealumni.org by Dec. 1. Lists will be available the first week of January.

Late January or early February
Deadline for students to submit Alumni Scholarship applications to club scholarship chair must be set by the club on Part III of the application.

February 25

• Cover Sheet, Rankings, completed Applications and transcripts faxed, emailed or US mailed to OSUAA.
• Keep a copy of Cover Sheet, Rankings.
• Money, if needed, must be received by OSUAA to cover current use/endowment awards.

March
The Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid posts awards to recipient’s Buckeye Link account. Please follow deadlines closely. Students must make their acceptance decision by May 1. If the club fails to send recommendations and money to OSUAA in a timely manner, the scholarship may not appear on the student's account which may affect their decision to attend Ohio State.

THE SELECTION PROCESS
1. Students send their applications with a transcript to the club Scholarship Chair by the date listed on Part III of the application.
2. Scholarship committee members and interviewers should not be related to student applicants.
3. Review applications, invite the best candidates to an interview.  If your committee decides not to interview, choices can be made solely on the applications.
4. Evaluate applicants using Interview Guide Sheet and the ASP Composite Ranking Sheet.
5. A student who is or becomes an OSU Varsity athlete is not eligible for a club award.

MAILING YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS
Fax, Email or US Mail to Leslie Smith at OSUAA the following:

• Cover Sheet
• Rankings
• Transcripts
• Applications

MONEY
Money must be in the club account at the time rankings are sent or a check must accompany the rankings. Financial Aid will not begin the process without money in the club’s account to cover the award(s).  MAIL all money to OSUAA Alumni Scholars Program using the Gift Processing Form.

NOTIFICATION PROCESS
In March award information will be visible to the recipient’s Buckeye Link account. The Alumni Association is also notified, who in turn informs each club's scholarship chair.

Please wait to contact your selected student(s) until you are notified by the Alumni Association. The club does not want to announce an award to a student until confirmation from OSUAA or the club may be liable for an award which was not intended to be given.  After recipients have been confirmed, your Scholarship Chair may contact students to offer congratulations on behalf of the club, notify local newspapers and high school guidance counselors. It is important to recognize and distinguish your ASP recipient(s) by perhaps an award certificate (available from OSUAA) and inviting them to your next club gathering.

RE-AWARDING
If any of the club’s students receive major scholarships which fulfill his/her cost of attendance, is not eligible for the award, declines the award, or attends another college, the Office of Undergraduate Student Financial Aid will review your rankings with confirmation from the club and select the next eligible student.

Destroy any application of unranked students once the re-awarding process has been completed.

IMPORTANT FORMS
Application

Information for Student (non-endowed clubs)

Information for Student (endowed clubs)

Financial Aid Checklist

ASP Calendar

Interview Guide Sheet (pdf)

Composite Rank Sheet (pdf)

Entering OSU Freshman Rank Sheet

Current OSU Student Rank Sheet

Cover Sheet

Miscellaneous and Informational (pdf)

Got Bucks Poster

Gift Processing

 

IMPORTANT CONTACTS
Questions regarding ASP awarding:
Leslie Smith, lsmith@ohiostatealumni.org

Nadine Holmes, holmes@ohiostatealumni.org
 
Phone: (614) 292-2371 or (800) TO CLUBS or (800) 862-5827

University Office of Student Financial Aid alumni scholarship coordinator:
(614) 688-4001