Scholarships
Supporting women and girls' access to education
is part of our mission
The Zonta Club of Columbus supports women seeking to further their education through a Non-Traditional Scholarship program with Ohio Dominican University (ODU), the Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship, the Outstanding Young Women Program and Young Women in Public Affairs Award, the Zonta International Women in STEM Scholarship and the Zonta International Amelia Earhart Fellowship.
Outstanding Young Women Program
(Young Women in Public Affairs)
Since 1980, the Zonta Club of Columbus has recognized and mentored outstanding high school senior women. Each year, over 100 Central Ohio high schools are invited to submit a nominee from their school to participate in a leadership forum in February and to be considered as one of the 12 Outstanding Young Women of Central Ohio. During the leadership forum, Zonta members facilitate discussions and activities to help the young women develop their leadership skills and transition to the next phase of their life. The top 12 Outstanding Young Women (OYW) are recognized at an awards reception in March and are selected based on their academic achievements and awards, community service, extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation and three essays. The top award recipient receives $1,000 and is nominated for Zonta International’s Young Women in Public Affairs award. Since its inception, the Zonta Club of Columbus has recognized 498 OYW from 89 high schools.
Non-traditional Student Scholarship -
Ohio Dominion Univeristy
This is a local program focused on providing assistance to women who have been unable to take a direct path from high school to college. Candidates apply through our partnership with Ohio Dominican University, and scholarship is awarded to a non-traditional student to aid her Post-Secondary education
Amelia Earhart Fellowship
Globally, women make up less than 25 percent of the workforce in aerospace industry. In an effort to carry out its mission that women have access to all resources and are represented in decision-making positions on an equal basis with men, Zonta International offers the Amelia Earhart Fellowship.
The Amelia Earhart Fellowship was established in 1938 in honor of famed pilot and Zontian, Amelia Earhart. The US$10,000 Fellowship is awarded annually to 30 women pursuing Ph.D./doctoral degrees in aerospace-related sciences or aerospace-related engineering. It may be used at any university or college offering accredited post-graduate courses and degrees in these fields.
Since the program’s inception in 1938, Zonta has awarded 1,704 Amelia Earhart Fellowships, totaling more than US$11.3 million, to 1,275 women representing 76 countries.
Our Fellows have gone on to become astronauts, aerospace engineers, astronomers, professors, geologists, business owners, heads of companies, even Secretary of the US Air Force.
Jane M. Klausman Women in Business
Because Zonta International believes in gender equality, the Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship program helps women pursue undergraduate and master's degrees in business management and overcome gender barriers from the classroom to the boardroom. The Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship was established in 1998 from a generous bequest by Jane M. Klausman, a member of the Zonta Club of Syracuse, New York, USA, and the 1990-1995 Zonta International Parliamentarian.
The program operates at the Zonta Club, district/region and international levels. Zonta International awards up to 37 scholarships of US$5,000 each. Awards are issued at the Club and District levels of an amount at their own discretion.
Deadline information and scholarship applications can be found at the Zonta International website or questions should be sent to zontacolumbus@gmail.com.
Women in STEM Scholarship
Zonta International is offering a STEM scholarship for women of any age and nationality, pursuing a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) degree program at an accredited university/college/institute, who demonstrate outstanding potential in the field and are living or studying in a Zonta district/region, are eligible.
The Zonta Club of Columbus is offering the STEM scholarship at the club level. The winner will then proceed to the district level for an opportunity to receive an award of $5,000 from Zonta International.
APPLICATION PROCESS AND DEADLINE
Applications must be received by Zonta Club of Columbus-- CLUB DEADLINE IS JUNE 1st
Complete the application form shown below and ensure all items are complete. Review the checklist to be completed by applicant.
All application forms must be emailed to zontacolumbus@gmail.com
For more details on eligibility select the "More Information" button below. To apply for the scholarship, select the "Application" button below.