Scholarships and Project Funding

The Department of Theatre, Film, and Media Arts currently has two scholarships available to new/incoming undergraduate students majoring in theatre that may be renewed for a maximum of three years.

• One $1,000 scholarship for a student interested in design, technology, or stage management.
• One $1,000 scholarship for a student with any theatre interest who is a graduating high school senior from Ohio.

Eligibility Criteria

• Be accepted by Ohio State
• Be a declared theatre major
• Have a 3.5 high school cumulative GPA.

Application Requirements

• Download and submit the Scholarship Application for Prospective Students. 
• Interview with a representative from the department (The interview can occur before an application is submitted, and may take place on campus, over the phone, or at a recruiting event.)

Both the application and the interview must be completed by February 7 to guarantee consideration by the scholarship committee. Applications may be accepted after February 7 is scholarship funds are still available. Please contact theatreandfilm@osu.edu for more information.

Renewal Eligibility

• Remain a theatre major
• Maintain a 3.5 cumulative GPA
• Students receiving the design, technology, or stage management scholarship also must be certified annually by their faculty advisors that they are actively engaged in design, technology, or stage management.

Each Spring, the Department of Theatre, Film, and Media Arts awards several one-year general-aid scholarships to deserving theatre majors for the following academic year. Current and transfer students should complete the Scholarship Application for Current and Transfer Students in order to be considered for scholarships. *Updated application form will be available by November 1, 2023*

The application deadline for 2024-2025 general-aid scholarships is February 5, 2024.

The Department of Theatre, Film, and Media Arts provides small grants to support the research, scholarship, and professional development of current undergraduate students enrolled in the department’s major degree programs (theatre, film studies, moving-image production). Funds may support costs associated with internships, workshops, conferences, summer festivals, or other special projects.

Deadlines: Applications for Undergraduate Special Project Grants are awarded twice per year, but may be accepted on a rolling basis.

• Annual deadlines: April 15 and October 15. Applications submitted by deadline will receive priority.
• Applications can be submitted at other times of the year for valid projects, but funding is not guaranteed.

Download the Application for Undergraduate Special Project Grants for more information, and to apply. 

The Department of Theatre, Film, and Media Arts provides scholarships to support Moving-Image Production Majors and Film Studies Majors who are enrolled in field work or internships in the film industry. These scholarships can support any costs associated with the internship/field work, including tuition, travel, cost of accommodations, basic living expenses, and any other reasonable costs associated with participation in the internship.

Deadlines: Applications for Film Industry Internship Scholarships are awarded twice per year. 

• April 15 for Summer/Autumn internships/field work participation;
• October 15 for Spring internship/field work participation.

Download the Scholarship Application for Film Industry Internship and Field Work for more information, and to apply. 

Scholarship funds are made as a credit to student's bursar account at the Ohio State University.

College of Arts and Sciences Scholarship and Grant Opportunities

The College of Arts and Sciences has several programs providing additional funding for research and creative activity, global education, and support for underrepresented student populations.

Other funding resources for students in the visual and performing arts may include: 

• ASC Career Success Career Accelerator fund
• Undergraduate Research & Creative Inquiry funds
• ASC Honors Undergraduate Research Scholarship and International Research Grant
• The Women's Place Critical Difference grants
• Global Arts + Humanities Discovery Theme project funds
• Arts & Humanities Undergraduate Research Small Grants 

Federal, State and Institutional Grants

A grant is gift assistance awarded through federal, state, or university funds to undergraduate students with high financial need. Information from the FAFSA is used to determine eligibility for the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG), National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (SMART), Ohio Grant Programs, and other university grants. To qualify for these grants you must demonstrate financial need as determined by the federal and state governments, as well as the university.

Federal Work-Study

The Federal Work-Study Program (FWS) is a need-based program which provides jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. The program encourages community service work and work related to your course of study.

University Scholarships

Scholarships can come from different sources and have various awarding criteria. Ohio State offers numerous institutional scholarships for incoming freshmen and enrolled students. Ohio State students also receive a wide array of scholarships from external donors and outside resources.

Related Sites:

• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Office of Student Financial Aid

The Department of Theatre, Film, and Media Arts provides small grants to support the research, scholarship, and professional development of current graduate students enrolled in the Theatre Graduate Program. Funds may support costs associated with workshops, conferences, summer festivals, or other special projects. 

Autumn Semester Deadline to Apply: October 2, 2023

Graduate Research and Project Grant Application

College of Arts and Sciences

The College of Arts and Sciences administers the Arts and Humanities Graduate Research Small Grants Program and the Chu and Riley Graduate Student Scholarships, both of which are available to theatre graduate students. See the college graduate student funding webpage for more details.

Graduate School and Other University-wide Funding Programs

Several other offices across the campus offer financial support for graduate students pursuing research, professional development, and career development opportunities including the Graduate School, the Office of Research, the Office of International Affairs, and the Council of Graduate Students. The Graduate School maintains a listing of these programs on its website.