Scholarships and Awards

Physics Department Scholarships and Awards

Every April, the Department of Physics hosts an Undergraduate Awards Ceremony where students are recognized and awarded for their hard work in the program. Students do not apply for the merit-based scholarships (Helen Cowan; Smith Sophomore, Junior, and Senior Awards; Senior Alumni); instead, physics faculty nominate students and a faculty board chooses the winners. The Physics Department does, however, accept applications to the below scholarships and programs. 

Undergraduate Student Award and Scholarship Recipients
Visit the above page to see a list of recent physics award and scholarship recipients.

Physics Undergraduate Summer Research Program
The Department of Physics Undergraduate Summer Research Program supports undergraduate Physics and Engineering Physics majors pursuing research projects with an approved physics faculty member during the summer.  The program runs 10 weeks, but may extend further depending on the availability of funds.

Valentino Physics Academic Achievement Scholarship
The Department of Physics awards the Valentino Physics Academic Achievement Scholarship to one incoming freshman planning to major in Physics or Engineering Physics at OSU.  The scholarship provides the recipient with the cost of in-state tuition per year for up to four years. 

James L Smith Scholarship for Working Students
The goal of this scholarship is to make it possible for some students to work fewer hours so they can dedicate more time to their school work and/or research. Thank you to the donor, Dr. James (Jim) Smith, a 1964 graduate of the physics program, for making this scholarship possible.

 

College Scholarships

Scholarships for Engineering Undergraduates

Students who are enrolled in the College of Engineering (this includes Engineering Physics majors) are eligible to apply to many of the academic based or financial need based scholarships offered by the college. For more information, visit the College of Engineering Scholarship Webpage.

Scholarships and Grants for Arts & Sciences Undergraduates

Students majoring in one of the programs offered by the College of Arts & Sciences may apply for scholarships and grants offered by college.  A list of available funding opportunities can be found on the College of Arts & Sciences Webpage.


OSU Research Scholarships & Programs

Ohio State offers a variety of summer research programs and funding for those who are interested in working over the summer.


External Scholarships

Summer Research Opportunity Search Engine

If you're looking for a list of physics summer research opportunities, check out pathwaystoscience.com which can help you with your search.

Society of Physics Students Scholarships

The Society of Physics Students (SPS) offers a number of scholarships for undergraduate physics students.

SMART Scholarship

The Science, Mathematics And Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship for Service Program is an opportunity for students pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines to receive a full scholarship and be gainfully employed upon degree completion.

APS Scholarship for Minority Undergraduate Physics Majors

Any African-American, Hispanic American, or Native American U.S. citizen or permanent resident who is majoring or planning to major in physics, and who is a high school senior, college freshman, or sophomore is eligible to apply.

Barbara Lotze Scholarships for Future Teachers

The Barbara Lotze Scholarships are available only to US citizens attending US schools.  Undergraduate students enrolled, or planning to enroll, in physics teacher preparation curricula and high school seniors entering such programs are eligible.

The Nucleus

Search for scholarships and resources for undergraduate physics majors.