Merit-Based Assistance

Otterbein offers a number of scholarships, based on academic ability, talent, and leadership potential. Below is a list of those scholarships and awards. With the exception of Department Scholarships and several endowed scholarships, all scholarships are offered to students at the time ofinitial acceptance to the College. Merit-based awards are offered without regard for financial need to full-time students for a duration of four year . Institutional merit-based awards will not exceed tuition. Priority is given to students who apply by March 1.

President's Scholar Awards: $11,000-All first-time freshmen and transfer students identified as Otterbein Scholars (see below) who have demonstrated outstanding scholarship and leadership will be invited to compete for these scholarships through a special application and essay evaluation. The application deadline for President's Scholar Awards is March 1. Theapplication review process begins November 1; priority is given to early applicants. All President's Scholar Awards will supersede Otterbein Scholar Awards. Recipients must maintain fulltime enrollment and ayearly college grade point average of 3.0 or better to retain the award.

Otterbein Scholar Awards: $7,000-These are awarded to first-time freshmen and transfer students who are in the upper 10 percent of their high school classes or who have a 3.5 or better grade point average on a 4.0 scale, and an ACT composite score of 24 or higher or a total of 1100 or higher on the SAT. Transfer students must have a 3.0 transfer g.p.a. Recipients must maintain fulltime enrollment and a yearly college grade point average of 3.0 or better to retain the award.

Otterbein Scholar Awards: $5,000-These are offered to first-time freshmen and transfer students who are in the upper 20 percent of their high school classes or who have a 3.4 or better grade point average on a 4.0 scale, and have an ACT composite of 22 or higher or a total of 1050 or higher on the SAT. Transfer students must have a 3.0 transfer GPA Recipients must maintain fulltime enrollment and a yearly college grade point average of 3.0 or better to retain the award.

Endowed Scholarships-Endowed scholarships are provided through the generosity of alumni and friends who have a desire to help students attain an Otterbein education. There are more than 150 endowed scholarships ranging in value from $800 to $1,500 per year. Endowed scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic ability, extracurricular activities and a written essay. Recipients must be enrolled as full-time students and maintain satisfactory progress toward a degree to retain the award. Applications are available from the Office of Admission.

Ammons-Thomas Awards-The Ammons-Thomas Award is named for Bishops Edsel A. Ammons and James S. Thomas of the Ohio United Methodi t We t and East Conferences. Ranging in value from $500 to $5,000 per year, these awards are offered to qualified students of color after acceptance to the College and an evaluation of a written essay. A limited nu~ber of Distinguis?ed Arnrnon -Thomas Awards of up to one-half tuition are also available to outstanding students. Recipients must maintain ful ltime enrollment and satisfactory acaderr_iic_progress toward their degrees. Applications are available from the Office of Adrruss1on.

International Baccalaureate Scholarships- Scholarships ranging from $1,000-7,000 are awarded to recognize participation in the International Baccalaureate Programme. The amount is determined by level of achievement and on an individual basis, $7,000 will be awarded to those who achieve the 1B diploma; $1,000 for each 1B certificate earned up to a total of five. ·

Zoo Scholar Awards-Zoo Scholar Awards are academic awards available to first time freshmen and transfer students who have completed a mimimum of one-full year at an approved Zoo School (i.e. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium School, The Lincoln Nebraska Zoo School, Cincinnati Zoo Academy, Minnesota Zoo School) around the country. Zoo School Award recipients must meet all criteria outlined in the Zoo Scholar Award application. These awards range from $4,000 to $7,500 yearly. Recipients must maintain fulltime enrollment and a yearly college grade point average of 3.0 or better to retain the award. Students must major in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Life Sciences (all majors), Environmental Science, Equine Science, Physics, Individualized Degree ( with a science focus) or Math/Computer Science to be eligible. Contact the Office of Admission for more details.

National Merit Finalist Awards-National Merit Awards of $2,000 are offered to students who have been recognized through the National Merit Scholarship Selection Process.

Batte lie Scholarships-The Battelle Scholarship is awarded to incoming first-time freshmen who show unusual leadership potential and intellectual promise. The scholarship is worth one-half the cost oftuition. The award is renewed annually providing the recipient maintains fulltirne enrollment and a 3.0 grade point average. To be eligible to apply for the Battelle Scholar Award, a student must live in or have graduated from a high school in either Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Licking, Madison, Pickaway or Union counties of Ohio. Application materials may be obtained from the Office of Admission upon request and must be completed and returned to that office by March 1.

Community Service Awards: $1,500-Community Service Awards are awarded to incoming first-time students who have demonstrated commitment to community service and scholarship during high school, and agree to coordinate a community service program while at Otterbein.

Department Scholarship Awards-Otterbein's academic departments award scholarships to upperclass students who qualify on the basis of criteria established by each department. For application information, students should contact individual department chairpersons.

LegacyAwards-Legacy Awards of$1,000 are given to each accepted student whose parent(s) or grandparent(s) attended Otterbein for at least two consecutive quarters.

PremierDepartmentalAwards-PremierDepartmentalAwardsof$1,000areawarded by various academic departments to talented prospective students who intend to be majors in the department.

Deans' Awards-Deans' awards of $1,000 to $4,000 are offered to students who demonstrate leadership and involvement in high school and community services while maintaining a good academic record.

Talent Awards-Talent awards of$500 to $4,000 are given to incoming students who demonstrate outstanding ability and potential in visual art, music, communication and theatre. Talent awards are renewable for a maximum of four years of fulltime enrollment and subject to satisfactory performance as assessed by the department. Information about auditions and dates can be found on our website.

Music-Students who plan to seek a major in music or music education are eligible to be considered for music talent awards. An audition is required. Information about auditions and dates may be obtained by writing to: Chairperson, Department of Music, Otterbein College, Westerville, Ohio 43081, or call (614) 823-1508.

Music Participation-Students who are non-music majors are eligible to be considered for music participation awards. An audition is required. Information about audition dates may be obtained by writing to: Chairperson, Department of Music, Otterbein College, Westerville, OH 43081, or call (614) 823-1508.

Musical Theatre-Talent awards are available to students planning to pursue the interdisciplinary degree in musical theatre. Awards are based on ability, potential, and previous experience. An audition is required. For information about audition dates, write to the Department ofTheatre and Dance, Otterbein College, Westerville, OH 43081, or call (614) 823-1657.

Communication -Awards are available to students planning to major in communication, broadcasting, business/organizational communication, journalism, organizational communication or public relations. Awards are based upon high school record, test scores, communication-related activities and completion of an es ay. To be eligible for consideration, a student must be accepted to Otterbein. For information, please write: Chairperson, Department ofCommunication, Otterbein College, Westerville, Ohio 43081, or call (614) 823-1752.

Theatre-Talent awards are available to students planning to seek a major in the Department of Theatre and Dance. Awards are based on ability, potential, and previous experience. An audition or portfolio review is required. For information about interview dates, write to the Department of Theatre and Dance, Otterbein College, Westerville, Ohio 43081, or call ( 614) 823-1657.

Dance-Talent awards are available to students planning to seek a minor in dance in the Department of Theatre and Dance. Awards are based on ability, potential and previous experience. An audition is required. For information about auditio~ dates, write to the Department ofTheatre and Dance, Otterbein College, Westerville, OH 43081, or call (614) 823-1657. Art-Awards are made to students planning to major in visual arts. Selections are based on the evaluation of a portfolio submitted by the student and an interview.