Scholarships and Project Funding
The Department of Theatre, Film, and Media Arts offers scholarships to both new incoming students and current students. Current majors and graduate students may also apply for project-based funding. Please see below for more information on annual and project-based funding for film and theatre majors.
Scholarships and Project Funding for Undergraduate Students
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.
Eligibility Criteria
- Be accepted by Ohio State
- Be a declared theatre major
- Have a 3.5 high school cumulative GPA.
Application Requirements
Students admitted by February 16 will automatically be considered for these scholarships.
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 Theatre Students in order to be considered for scholarships:
The application deadline for general tuition scholarships for the 2026-2027 academic year has been extended to March 27, 2026. Applications submitted after this date are considered as funding is available.
Note: you must be actively enrolled in an undergraduate program at the Ohio State University during the semester of funding to be eligible for scholarships and financial aid. Scholarships are not available to graduating students or recent alumni.
The Department of Theatre, Film, and Media Arts provides small grants to support the independent 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.
Successful proposals typically include either a substantial instructive component or identify a specific outcome or product for the project such as a written research project, short film, conference paper or publication. We do not award funds through this process for any applications directly related to a specific course (e.g. MIP senior projects, dept study tours, skills tests offered as part of a university course, design projects, etc.). In general, applications from individual students are to complete research projects, cover costs associated with an outside internship, or attend conferences and external workshops.
Deadlines: Applications for Undergraduate Special Project Grants are awarded twice per year:
- Annual deadlines (Applications submitted by deadline will receive priority):
- Fall applications: October 15 (or third Friday) deadline for Spring research/special projects taking place Jan-May.
- Spring applications: April 15 (or third Friday) deadline for Summer/Autumn research/special projects taking place May-Dec.
Download the Application for Undergraduate Special Project Grants for more information, and to apply:
Note: you must be actively enrolled in an undergraduate program at the Ohio State University during the semester of the funded project/activity to be eligible for scholarships and financial aid. Scholarships are not available to graduating students or recent alumni.
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.
- Fall applications: October 15 (or third Friday) deadline for Spring internships (taking place Jan-May).
- Spring applications: April 15 (or third Friday) deadline for Summer/Autumn internships (taking place May-Dec).
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. Students must be enrolled in at least 1 CH for the semester of the award. Note: you must be actively enrolled in an undergraduate program at the Ohio State University during the semester of the funded internship to be eligible for scholarships and financial aid. Scholarships are not available to graduating students or recent alumni.
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:
Project Funding for Graduate Students
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. Refer to the Graduate Handbook and Carmen site for details.
Grant application links can be found on the TFMA Graduate Student Services page on Carmen. Application links for fall grants are posted in September. Application links for spring grants are posted in January.
Please direct questions to Dev Singer, Business Operations Manager, singer.95@osu.edu
Application Deadlines:
- First Monday in October
- First Monday in February
- April 15
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.
A note on financial aid for undergraduate students: The maximum financial aid (including gift aid and scholarships) that a student can receive cannot exceed their school's Cost of Attendance (COA). If you have any questions about your financial aid package, please feel free to reach out to the Office of Student Financial Aid.