History Undergraduate Scholarships & Awards

• Harvey and Boston Fellowships and Grant Applications [PDF]
• Phillip Bebb Scholarship [PDF]
• Past Scholarship Winners
• Ohio University Office of Financial Aid

Application Process for Scholarships

To apply for a History Department scholarship, it is necessary to be an undergraduate History major at Ohio University. If you are on the Athens campus or on a regional campus, applying electronically for a Dean's scholarship automatically will count as an application for a History scholarship. All applicants must also submit a FAFSA. To apply visit the Finanical Aid scholarships website.

General Requirements

• History major at Ohio University (Athens or regional campuses)
• Minimum 3.2 GPA
• Registered full-time (16 credit hours per quarter)
• Sophomore or higher standing
• Students who have earned more than 192 hours are ineligible for consideration.

Questions about scholarships, unless otherwise noted, should be directed to Dr. Jaclyn Maxwell.

Research and Travel Grants

Richard and Karen Harvey Undergraduate Research Fellowship

The Harvey Research Fellowship is made possible through a generous endowment by Ohio University Professor Emeritus of History Richard Harvey and his wife, Karen. It is open to undergraduate History majors for awards of up to $1000 in research funds that will enhance undergraduate research including, but not limited to, travel expenses for archival research, research libraries, academic conferences, tuition for language, archaeological, or other skills programs, and materials or equipment for research. Applications are solicited in the fall and spring.

Philip Bebb Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship was created through donations offered in memory of Dr. Philip Bebb, long-time professor of Renaissance history at Ohio University, who had a deep scholarly and personal affection for Italy. Its purpose is to help enable undergraduate History majors to study in Italy with a $350 prize awarded annually. In order to qualify for consideration, a student must meet the following criteria: be a full-time, History major undergraduate student enrolled at Ohio University and in the History Department; have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 at Ohio University and either be enrolled in or accepted with full intention to enroll in a study abroad program in Italy.

Departmental Scholarships

Wilmer C. Harris Memorial Scholarship

Named in honor of a scholar who taught history at Ohio University from 1922 to 1937, the Wilmer C. Harris Scholarship offers a number of partial tuition scholarships to History majors. To be eligible, it is necessary to have attained sophomore standing or above, have declared a history major in the College of Arts & Sciences or Honors Tutorial College and have maintained at least a 3.3 overall GPA in History.

Anthony Holland Churchville Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship is given in honor of an outstanding Ohio University History major who was killed in a tragic accident shortly after his graduation. Churchville was active in student government, and an applicant for the scholarship should demonstrate both academic excellence and a broader engagement in student life and the Ohio University and Athens community. Other eligibility requirements are a demonstrated interest in History and a GPA of 3.3 or above.

Carl Gustavson Scholarship in European and/or Russian History

Dr. Carl Gustavson, a Distinguished Professor, taught courses in contemporary European and Russian history at Ohio University in the 1950s and 1960s. This scholarship is awarded annually to an undergraduate History major with a primary interest in European/Russian history. Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.2 to apply.

Elizabeth Grover Beatty Scholarship

The Elizabeth Grover Beatty Scholarship is a partial tuition scholarship and is named in honor of a long-time Athens resident whose family closely associated with Ohio University. She graduated from Ohio University in 1917 and took special interest in the history of southeastern Ohio; the Athens County Historical Society came into being at a meeting at her home. To be eligible, a student must be an Ohio resident, have declared a History major in the College or Arts & Sciences or Honors Tutorial College, and have maintained at least a 3.3 overall GPA in History.

Arthur and Kathleen Marinelli Scholarship

The Arthur and Kathleen Marinelli Scholarship is a partial-tuition fellowship donated by two Ohio University alumni with an interest in History. To be eligible, a student must have declared a History major in the College of Arts & Sciences or Honors Tutorial College, and have maintained at least a 3.3 overall GPA in History.

Jean F. Sprague Scholarship

This scholarship was established by Jean Finsterwald-Sprague, the spouse of a former Ohio University Trustee, Dr. Edward Sprague, to support junior and senior History undergraduates. To be eligible, a student must have declared a History major in College of Arts & Sciences or Honors Tutorial College, and have maintained at least a 3.3 overall GPA in History.

John and Alexander Preston Scholarship

The John and Alexander Preston Scholarship was established by Alexandra Preston in memory of her late husband, John E. Preston. Mr. Preston was an Ohio University graduate in History (A.B. 1957) and a lawyer who, for many years, was senior vice president and general counsel of Litton Industries. To be eligible, a student must have declared a History major in the College of Arts & Sciences or Honors Tutorial College, and have maintained at least a 3.3 overall GPA in History.

Departmental Essay Competition

Randolph Stone Awards for Historical Writing

Given in honor of the first teacher of English history at Ohio University to promote and reward excellence in the writing of history, these awards are made annually for the best undergraduate term papers on historical topics. There are two categories: research papers (12-20 pages) and short essays (5-10 pages). Papers are submitted early in spring quarter. This award is open to undergraduates of any major who have written history essays or historical research papers in an Ohio University history course. For more information, contact Dr. Jaclyn Maxwell.