Modern Languages Scholarships

The Ohio University Department of Modern Languages has many generous alumni and former faculty who have graciously donated funds that may apply to a current student’s tuition or study abroad experience. If you would like to donate to the Department of Modern Languages, make a gift.  

To apply for any of the Modern Languages scholarships below, students must have an updated FAFSA on file with the university and should also apply for university-wide scholarships. Students may file a FAFSA form at studentaid.gov and may apply for university-wide scholarships at ohio.edu/financialaid.  

Scholarships are generally awarded at the end of the spring semester for the following academic year. 

For current application information and deadlines, please visit the main office (283 Gordy Hall), email modern.languages@ohio.edu, or call 740.593.2765.

Mary L. Durnion Scholarship (French)

This award is given in recognition of excellent academic work done at Ohio University, especially in the area of French. Based on merit and achievement and not limited to financial need, the award is intended for full-time, junior or senior students at the main campus of Ohio University majoring or minoring in French with an overall 3.0 grade point average and a 3.5 minimum GPA in French. 

Ursula Feer Farfel Scholarship (First-year students in all majors)

This scholarship for a first-year undergraduate student majoring in French, German, or Spanish is a gift from Dr. Gilbert Farfel and his wife Ursula Feer Farfel, a 1956 Ohio University graduate. 

The Farfel scholarship will have an award value equal to half of in-state tuition and is renewable for four years, contingent upon the student maintaining a 3.0 GPA (both overall and in the language major). 

Irene Dates Fraser Scholarship (Spanish or French secondary education)

This scholarship fund honors the memory of Irene Victoria Dates Fraser, who received her BSEd. in Secondary Education (French) from Ohio University in 1942. She taught at Chagrin Falls High School, Petersburg High School, and Austintown Fitch High School.

This need-based scholarship, to be awarded in the amount of $2,000 annually, is intended for students enrolled in the College of Education on the Athens campus of Ohio University and majoring in Spanish or French in Secondary Education. Recipients must have a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Lash and Leete Memorial Scholarship (French)

This scholarship is established in the memory of Greta A. Lash and Constance B. Leete, both professors emeritae of Ohio University. It is given in recognition of excellent academic work done at the university, especially in the area of French (or, every second year, in English).

George and June Mattson Scholarship (Spanish secondary education)

June (Dudley) Mattson, a 1944 graduate of Ohio University, is a retired Spanish/ English teacher, who taught Spanish at Whitehall Yearling High School in Whitehall, Ohio (a suburb of Columbus) during the final nineteen years of her teaching career. Her husband, George Mattson, is a retired chemical engineer of Ethyl Corporation, Research and Development Division.

This need-based award, given in alternating years to Spanish majors enrolled in secondary education and to Chemistry majors, is for students on the Athens campus with a minimum grade point average of 3.4. 

Maxine McCrory Memorial Scholarship (All majors)

This need-based scholarship, established by Beth Carsman in memory of her niece, Maxine McCrory, who graduated from Ohio University in 1965, is intended for full-time undergraduate students attending the Athens campus of Ohio University and majoring either in economics or in modern languages.

Mary T. Noss Scholarship (French)

This award, given in recognition of excellent academic work done at Ohio University, especially in the area of French, is named for a professor who taught French at Ohio University from 1914 until her retirement in 1956, and who served as department chair as well.

Manuel Antonio Serna-Maytorena Memorial Scholarship (Spanish)

This award is established in memory of a long-time OHIO faculty member. Professor Serna-Maytorena, a prolific scholar and creative writer who tirelessly aided students in their efforts to learn Spanish, directed the university’s study abroad program in Mexico on many occasions. Funds in this account are to be used to encourage students to continue their studies in Spanish language and culture at Ohio University.

Urda Traenkle Memorial Scholarship (German)

This award, intended for a German major or minor enrolled at Ohio University, is to be used for tuition, room and board, or other educationally related expenses. 

Gerald T. Wilkinson Memorial Award (Graduating French seniors)

This cash award, established by an anonymous donor on the 100th anniversary of Dr. Wilkinson’s birth, is made to one or more graduating seniors who have exemplified outstanding academic performance and received the highest marks in French.

Professor Wilkinson, a native Ohioan, taught modern languages at Ohio University from 1929 to 1960. He received his AB degree from Wabash College in 1911 and earned his MA (1912) and his Ph.D. (1928) at Harvard University. He died in Athens in 1965.

Study Abroad Scholarships

Modern Languages students are strongly encouraged and often required to study abroad. In addition to the below study abroad scholarships, the Ohio University Office of Global Opportunities has a variety of scholarships and grants for which students may easily apply. 

For current application information and deadlines, please visit the main office (283 Gordy Hall), email modern.languages@ohio.edu, or call (740) 593-2765.

Department of Modern Languages Study Abroad Scholarship (All majors)

This is a competitive $500 scholarship for a department-sponsored study abroad program. The scholarship application is due on the same day as the chosen program’s application. Students must be in good academic standing with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2. The program must last five weeks or longer, and students must be enrolled in at least the minimum number of credit hours required by the program.

Sue and Charles Glander Study Abroad Scholarship for Romance Languages (French, Italian, Portuguese, or Spanish)

Full-time, degree-seeking undergraduate students who are studying one of the Romance languages (French, Italian, Portuguese, or Spanish) may apply for this competitive award. Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. 

Study Abroad in France Scholarship

Full-time, degree-seeking undergraduate students may apply for this competitive award. Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Scholarship recipients must be studying in France with an Ohio University program. First preference is given to students majoring in French. Five $500 scholarships are awarded. 

Richard and Dolores Kirby Study Abroad in France Scholarship

Full-time, degree-seeking undergraduate students may apply for this competitive award. Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Scholarship recipients must be studying in France with an Ohio University program. First preference is given to students majoring in French. Two $500 scholarships are awarded.