Students studying at The Ohio State University can explore scholarships, research grants, essay awards, and graduate fellowships through the Melton Center for Jewish Studies. These funding opportunities support students studying Jewish history, culture, Hebrew, Yiddish, and related academic subjects.
One opportunity to note is the Norbert and Gretel B. Bloch Endowed Scholarship Fund, which offers a $1,000 scholarship plus a $2,000 program budget. The application deadline is October 23, 2026.
Other awards have deadlines extending into January and February 2027, making this a useful funding resource for eligible Ohio State undergraduate and graduate students.
Ohio State University Jewish Studies Scholarships 2026–2027: Overview
| Scholarship detail | Information |
|---|---|
| University | The Ohio State University |
| Scholarship center | Melton Center for Jewish Studies |
| Study level | Undergraduate and graduate |
| Funding types | Scholarships, fellowships, grants, and essay awards |
| Featured scholarship | Norbert and Gretel B. Bloch Endowed Scholarship |
| Featured award | $1,000 scholarship plus $2,000 program budget |
| Featured deadline | October 23, 2026 |
| Application platform | Scholarship Universe or the relevant official application |
| Official scholarship page | https://meltoncenter.osu.edu/scholarships |
About Ohio State University Jewish Studies Scholarships
The Melton Center for Jewish Studies supports academic study, teaching, and research related to Jewish history, culture, language, literature, and other aspects of the Jewish experience.
Its funding opportunities are designed to encourage academic achievement and support students pursuing projects connected to Jewish Studies.
Depending on the award, funding may support academic expenses, research projects, educational travel, or student-led programs. Graduate students can also explore fellowships that provide financial support for research.
Important: These opportunities are primarily intended for students enrolled at The Ohio State University. They should not be confused with general scholarships open to applicants from any university or country.
1. Norbert and Gretel B. Bloch Endowed Scholarship Fund
The Norbert and Gretel B. Bloch Endowed Scholarship Fund supports an Ohio State student who will organize a program that increases awareness of Jewish life, culture, or history.
The selected student receives a scholarship and a separate budget to develop the proposed program in collaboration with Melton Center staff.
Award details
- Scholarship amount: $1,000.
- Program budget: $2,000.
- Application deadline: October 23, 2026.
- Application platform: Scholarship Universe.
Eligibility requirements
Applicants must meet the university’s enrollment requirements and have completed at least one Jewish Studies course, such as Hebrew, Yiddish, or another course covering a Jewish Studies topic.
Applicants must also be willing to help plan, publicize, and carry out the proposed program with Melton Center staff.
Required documents
Prepare the following documents:
- A copy of your Ohio State Advising Report.
- A one-page proposal describing a program that will increase awareness of Jewish life, culture, or history.
- One faculty recommendation letter.
How to apply
Visit the official Melton Center scholarships page and follow the instructions for the Bloch Scholarship.
Eligible students generally apply through Ohio State Scholarship Universe.
Because the deadline is approaching, applicants should confirm the opportunity in their accounts and prepare their documents before October 23, 2026.
2. George and Emily Severinghaus Beck Education Abroad Scholarship
This scholarship supports students who wish to study Yiddish in the United States or abroad. The award may provide up to $2,000, with funding available for up to two students each year.
The published deadline is February 15, 2027.
Eligibility requirements
Applicants must be enrolled at Ohio State and plan to continue their studies for the following semester. Previous foreign-language experience is also required.
For programs outside the United States, the award depends on acceptance into the academic program and approval of international travel by Ohio State.
Required documents
Applicants should prepare:
- A detailed budget covering program and travel expenses.
- An Ohio State Advising Report.
- An acceptance letter from the selected program.
- One faculty recommendation letter.
- A 250–400-word statement explaining how the program supports their academic and future professional goals.
How to apply
Review the official scholarship information and check the current application instructions before submitting your documents.
3. Morris and Fannie Skilken Family Foundation Endowment Fund Scholarship
The Morris and Fannie Skilken Family Foundation Endowment Fund Scholarship supports undergraduate students studying Jewish Studies, Hebrew, Yiddish, Ashkenazi Studies, or Jewish oral history.
Funding of up to $2,000 is available for up to two students each academic year.
Application deadline: February 15, 2027.
Eligibility requirements
Applicants must:
- Be currently enrolled as Ohio State undergraduates and continue enrollment for the following academic year.
- Have a minimum overall GPA of 3.3.
- Have completed at least one course in Jewish Studies.
- Demonstrate academic achievement and commitment to Jewish Studies scholarship.
Required documents
Applicants should prepare an Advising Report, two faculty recommendation letters, and a 250–400-word statement explaining how the scholarship relates to their academic, professional, and personal goals.
How to apply
Visit the official Melton Center scholarship page for the application instructions and submission process.
4. Reva and Sanford Lipson Student Support Fund
The Reva and Sanford Lipson Student Support Fund provides financial support to undergraduate students studying Hebrew, Yiddish, Ashkenazi Studies, Jewish Studies, or Jewish oral history.
The published award information lists up to $2,000 for two students.
Application deadline: February 15, 2027.
Who can apply?
Applicants must be enrolled at Ohio State and plan to continue their studies for the following academic year. They must have completed at least one Jewish Studies course.
Preference is given to students majoring or minoring in Jewish Studies, Jewish oral history, Hebrew, or Yiddish.
Required documents
Applicants should prepare:
- An Advising Report.
- Two faculty recommendation letters.
- A 250–400-word statement explaining how the award supports their academic, professional, and personal goals.
How to apply
Check the official Melton Center scholarships page for the current application requirements.
5. Charlotte Susan Roth Memorial Fund Essay Contest
The Charlotte Susan Roth Memorial Fund Essay Contest rewards undergraduate and graduate students who have written strong academic papers on Jewish Studies topics.
The contest covers subjects such as Jewish history, literature, language, philosophy, sociology, biblical studies, and Israeli culture.
Award amounts
| Prize | Award |
|---|---|
| First prize | $750 |
| Second prize | $500 |
The published deadline is January 15, 2027.
Eligibility requirements
Applicants must be currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate students at Ohio State and must have written a paper on a Jewish Studies topic during the 2026 calendar year.
The professor who taught the relevant course must nominate the paper by emailing the paper’s title and course information to asc-meltoncenter@osu.edu.
Application requirements
Applicants should prepare an Advising Report and an essay of at least 1,500 words, including a bibliography and footnotes.
The submitted essay must be in PDF format and must not contain the student’s name or course information. This allows the selection committee to assess the work without identifying its author.
How to apply
Review the official Melton Center scholarship information for the application form and submission requirements.
6. Leah Metchnick Godofsky and Martin R. Godofsky Scholarship
This scholarship supports undergraduate students taking university-level courses in Jewish Studies at Ohio State.
The published scholarship information lists an annual award of $1,200 for one deserving undergraduate student.
Eligibility and selection
The award recognizes a student demonstrating academic merit in Jewish Studies. Unlike many other scholarships, students do not need to submit a separate application.
Instead, faculty members nominate eligible students through the Melton Center’s selection process.
Faculty nomination deadline: February 28, 2027.
Students interested in this award should discuss their academic progress and eligibility with an appropriate Jewish Studies faculty member.
For further information, visit the official Melton Center website.
7. Samuel M. Melton Graduate Fellowship in Jewish Studies
The Samuel M. Melton Graduate Fellowship supports graduate students conducting research in Jewish Studies.
The fellowship is intended for students whose graduate research focuses on a relevant topic. Comparative research projects may be considered, although priority is given to projects centered on Jewish Studies.
The published fellowship package includes:
- A $24,138 stipend.
- Full fee remission.
- Full health insurance coverage.
- $500 in research funding.
The funding package covers one academic year, subject to the fellowship’s conditions.
Who is eligible?
Current Ohio State graduate students may apply if they meet the fellowship requirements.
Prospective graduate students must first be accepted into an affiliated Ohio State graduate degree program. Their proposed graduate research must focus on a core area of Jewish Studies.
Fellows must remain in residence at Ohio State and be enrolled for at least three credit hours during two consecutive semesters of the academic year, from autumn through spring.
Application requirements
Applicants should prepare:
- A completed fellowship application.
- A three-to-five-page research proposal or plan of study.
- A 15–20-page writing sample, or an equivalent for an arts-practice-based project.
- A curriculum vitae.
- Two recommendation letters.
- Additional graduate application materials for incoming students, including transcripts and GRE scores if applicable.
Published application deadline: January 22, 2027.
How to apply
Visit the official graduate fellowships page for complete requirements and application instructions.
8. George M. and Renee K. Levine Graduate Fellowship in Jewish Studies
The George M. and Renee K. Levine Graduate Fellowship is another funding opportunity for graduate students researching Jewish Studies topics at Ohio State.
It is offered alongside the Samuel M. Melton Graduate Fellowship, and the published fellowship information describes the same general financial package:
- $24,138 stipend for one academic year.
- Full fee remission.
- Full health insurance coverage.
- $500 in research funding.
Eligibility requirements
Applicants must satisfy the fellowship’s graduate enrollment and research requirements. Prospective students must be accepted into an affiliated Ohio State graduate program, and their research must focus on a core area of Jewish Studies.
The center requires fellows to remain in residence at Ohio State and maintain the specified enrollment during the fellowship year.
Required documents and deadline
Applicants should prepare the research proposal, writing sample, CV, recommendation letters, and other required graduate application materials.
The published deadline is January 22, 2027.
How to apply
Read the official Melton Center graduate fellowship requirements before submitting an application.
9. Undergraduate Travel and Research Grants in Jewish Studies
Ohio State undergraduate students can also apply for support for academic conferences and research projects connected to Jewish Studies.
The Melton Center allocates up to $600 in total support for eligible student travel and research activities. Applications are accepted throughout the year.
Eligible activities
Funding may support:
- Travel to an academic conference where the student presents a paper related to Jewish Studies.
- Travel or research connected to a major Jewish Studies project that forms part of the student’s academic program.
Eligibility requirements
Applicants must be enrolled undergraduate students at Ohio State, plan to continue enrollment for the following year, and have completed at least two Jewish Studies courses.
Required documents
Prepare a completed application form, an Advising Report, a detailed budget, two faculty recommendation letters, and a one-page statement explaining the conference or intended research.
How to apply
Read the official undergraduate travel and research grant details and follow the instructions for submitting application materials.
10. Ellen E. and Victor J. Cohn Education Abroad Scholarship Fund
The Ellen E. and Victor J. Cohn Education Abroad Scholarship Fund provides financial support of up to $5,000 for eligible Ohio State undergraduates studying at Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
Preference is given to students attending for the full academic year and returning to Ohio State for the autumn semester.
Important eligibility and availability information
The award depends on acceptance to Hebrew University and Ohio State approval of travel to Israel.
However, the Melton Center’s published information states that Ohio State-supported study abroad to Israel is suspended by the Office of International Affairs until further notice.
The previously listed application deadlines were December 2, 2025, for spring semester and March 4, 2026, for summer or fall. These dates have passed.
Students should therefore not assume that applications are currently open. Check the university’s official information for any future reopening.
Official source: https://meltoncenter.osu.edu/scholarships
How to Apply for Ohio State University Jewish Studies Scholarships
Most undergraduate scholarships offered through the Melton Center are administered through Scholarship Universe. Other opportunities may require a separate application, a faculty nomination, or direct submission of documents.
Follow these steps to begin your application.
Step 1: Visit the official scholarship page.
Start with the Melton Center for Jewish Studies scholarship page and identify awards relevant to your academic background.
Step 2: Sign in to Scholarship Universe.
Use your Ohio State username and password to access the university’s scholarship matching platform.
Step 3: Complete your scholarship profile.
Update your academic information and review your scholarship matches.
Step 4: Check the eligibility requirements.
Confirm your enrollment status, completed coursework, GPA requirements, research topic, and any other conditions for the award.
Step 5: Prepare the required documents.
Depending on the scholarship, you may need an Advising Report, a research proposal, an essay, a personal statement, a program budget, an acceptance letter, or faculty recommendations.
Step 6: Submit your application before the deadline.
Check the deadline for the specific award and confirm that all required documents have been submitted in the correct format.
For additional information about the university’s scholarship process, visit Ohio State Student Financial Aid.
Official application and scholarship resources:
- Annual scholarships and awards
- Graduate fellowships
- Undergraduate travel and research grants
- Ohio State Student Financial Aid
Documents Required for Ohio State Jewish Studies Scholarships
Requirements vary by award, but applicants may need the following documents:
- Ohio State Advising Report.
- Faculty recommendation letters.
- Personal statement or academic goals statement.
- Jewish Studies research proposal.
- Academic writing sample or essay.
- Curriculum vitae for graduate fellowships.
- Detailed budget for travel or research awards.
- Acceptance letter for an approved educational program.
- Graduate school application materials for prospective graduate fellows.
Prepare documents in advance and follow the exact instructions for each award. Some opportunities require PDF uploads, and incomplete applications may not be considered.
Important Deadline Dates for 2026–2027
The following dates are listed on the Melton Center’s published scholarship pages and should be reconfirmed before applying.
| Scholarship or award | Published deadline |
|---|---|
| Norbert and Gretel B. Bloch Scholarship | October 23, 2026 |
| Charlotte Susan Roth Essay Contest | January 15, 2027 |
| Samuel M. Melton Graduate Fellowship | January 22, 2027 |
| George M. and Renee K. Levine Graduate Fellowship | January 22, 2027 |
| George and Emily Severinghaus Beck Scholarship | February 15, 2027 |
| Morris and Fannie Skilken Scholarship | February 15, 2027 |
| Reva and Sanford Lipson Student Support Fund | February 15, 2027 |
| Leah Metchnick Godofsky and Martin R. Godofsky Scholarship | February 28, 2027 |
Travel and research grant applications are accepted year-round according to the published grant information.
The Cohn Education Abroad Scholarship’s previously listed deadlines have passed, and study abroad to Israel is currently listed as suspended. Check for official updates before making plans.
Can International Students Apply for These Scholarships?
International students who are enrolled at The Ohio State University may be eligible for some of these funding opportunities if they meet the individual scholarship requirements.
However, these awards are not advertised as universally available to all international applicants. Most opportunities require current Ohio State enrollment, and some require particular coursework, a minimum GPA, or a research project in Jewish Studies.
Students who have not yet been admitted to Ohio State should check each award’s eligibility rules. Prospective graduate students may be eligible for the Melton or Levine graduate fellowships only after meeting the relevant graduate admission requirements.
Students who already receive financial aid should also consult Ohio State Student Financial Aid to understand how additional awards may affect their existing funding package.
FAQs
1. What is the main keyword for Ohio State University Jewish Studies Scholarships?
The primary SEO keyword is Ohio State University Jewish Studies Scholarships. Related searches include Ohio State Melton Center scholarships, Jewish Studies graduate fellowships, and Ohio State Jewish Studies grants.
2. How much is the Norbert and Gretel B. Bloch Scholarship?
The award provides a $1,000 scholarship plus a $2,000 program budget for an eligible student who organizes a program about Jewish life, culture, or history.
3. What is the deadline for the Bloch Scholarship?
The published deadline is October 23, 2026. Applicants should check the official scholarship page and Scholarship Universe for the current application instructions.
4. Are there graduate fellowships in Jewish Studies at Ohio State?
Yes. The Samuel M. Melton Graduate Fellowship and the George M. and Renee K. Levine Graduate Fellowship support eligible graduate students researching Jewish Studies topics. The published package includes a stipend, fee remission, health insurance coverage, and research funding.
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