Professional Graduate Programs and Experience

The Ohio State University awards University Fellowships annually on a highly competitive basis. Fellowships provide a tuition waiver for the first year of graduate study as well as a monthly stipend. University Fellowship recipients typically have an undergraduate GPA of 3.6 or higher. These awards are only considered for in-person students who begin in the autumn term.

For more information about fellowships and the selection process, visit the Graduate School Fellowship page.

For MPA applicants, the funding priority application deadline is November 15. For PhD applicants (all are considered for funding opportunities), the final deadline for all applicants is December 1. 

These positions provide a tuition waiver and monthly stipend, while requiring a work commitment of 20 hours per week. In addition to research and administrative positions within the Glenn College, many of our GA students have the opportunity to gain practical policy experience by working 20 hours per week at organizations such as the Columbus City Council and Franklin County Board of Commissioners. Typically, GA recipients have an undergraduate GPA of 3.5 or higher. These Glenn College GA positions are usually given to second year students through a selective application process communicated to students in their first year. 

There also may be GA opportunities at Ohio State outside of the Glenn College that students may find posted on Ohio State Careers. The Glenn College may publicize GA positions that are available if outside departments alert them to the opportunity, but usually students will find these opportunities on their own.

Application must be completed by November 15.

The Glenn College is also pleased to offer a number of merit‐based scholarships from support from a wide variety of incredibly generous donors. These awards are fixed amounts that are paid out over one or more years of graduate study.

Students who apply by February 15 for autumn term start will be considered for College-level scholarship awards. Priority will be given to in-person students, but online students may be considered based on strength of application.

In addition to merit-based financial assistance through the Glenn College, students may also be eligible for loans, university‐wide scholarships and other forms of financial aid. For more information, please contact the Ohio State Financial Aid Office or call them at 614-292‐0300 regarding these matters.

Financial aid and funding information provided by the Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions at Ohio State.

1. Contact the U.S. Education Advising Office in your country.
2. Visit the following websites: edupass.org and internationalstudent.com.
3. Contact Ohio State’s Office of International Affairs.

Success at Ohio State depends upon the student’s ability to converse in, write and understand English. To assure such competence, the university requires any applicant whose native language is not English, and who has been educated primarily outside of the U.S., to submit official TOEFL, MELAB or IELTS scores.

• Scores must be sent directly from the testing agency to Ohio State. 
• The test must have been taken within the last two years.
• Applicants who are citizens of, or who have received a four-year bachelor’s degree or higher in, one of the following countries are exempt from the IELTS, TOEFL or MELAB requirement: Australia, Belize, the British Caribbean and British West Indies, Canada (except Quebec), England, Guyana, Ireland, Liberia, New Zealand, Scotland, the United States and Wales.

TOEFL

The Glenn College’s recommended minimum TOEFL score requirement is 100 on the IBT TOEFL, or similar minimum score on other English proficiency exams. This is higher than the general requirement for other Ohio State graduate programs, but is required to study at the Glenn College.

For information about TOEFL, contact:
Phone: 609-771-7100
Website: toefl.org

The institution code for Ohio State is #1592.

International students will be reviewed for sufficient financial resources.

Those who are fully funded by the university will not be required to submit any financial documents, but must submit a copy of their passport for themselves and any dependents they intend to bring.

Those who are not fully funded by the university: 

• You are required to provide the Affidavit of Support and confidential bank statement. This form will be sent to you during the application process.
• If you are bringing dependents, you need to inform us as soon as possible and send proof of support for them as well.

Financial documents are not required until admission has been awarded. After admission, as a non-immigrant student you will need a Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 for the F-1 visa or DS-2019 for the J-1 visa) issued by Ohio State based upon documented evidence. Please keep copies of all financial documents to present to the U.S. Consulate when applying for your visa.

Tuition, fees, insurance and all other expenses are in effect beginning autumn through summer, but are subject to change. For estimated graduate student costs, please visit gradadmissions.osu.edu.

It is recommended that all students have $3,000 in contingency funds available to cover any unexpected increases in expenses.