Jane M. Slanker Scholars Program

The Jane M. Slanker Scholars Program is designed to support Ohio University students who have faced financial challenges starting or completing their degrees. This award helps reduce barriers so students can move forward with confidence — academically, professionally, and personally.

Support from this fund may include:

  • Scholarships to reduce tuition costs
  • Funding for unpaid internships and study abroad opportunities
  • Academic advising, mentoring, and career coaching
  • Emergency aid for unexpected expenses
  • Free Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) for experiential learning credit
  • Books and academic supplies
  • Graduation-related awards to help students transition into their next career steps

The program’s purpose is to empower students to reach their goals and continue building a strong, fulfilling future.

  • Eligibility Requirements

    Students may be considered for the Slanker Scholars Program if they meet all of the following criteria:
     

    • Enrollment: Must be a full-time undergraduate student enrolled in, or admitted to, any Ohio University campus (regional campuses included; eCampus and fully online programs are not eligible).
    • Financial Need: Must demonstrate financial need.
    • Independent Status: Must be designated as “independent” on the FAFSA.
    • Academic Progress: Must show satisfactory progress in their major or academic program.
    • Field of Study: Preference is given to students majoring in English.


    These criteria help ensure that the program supports students who will benefit most from additional resources and guidance.

Slanker Scholars Recipients

Class of 2025
Gillian DeTesta

I’m so thankful to have been a Slanker Scholar. The support took a huge financial weight off my shoulders as an independent student and allowed me to really focus on my studies and goals. Beyond that, the workshops and meetings were incredibly valuable — I learned how to strengthen my resume and LinkedIn, prepare for interviews, and even talk through tough decisions about my future. That guidance and encouragement directly led me to my current Administrative Assistant position, which I wouldn’t have without the connections I built through the program. To future students, I’d say make the most of every resource the University and Slanker scholarship has to offer and don’t be afraid to ask for help - the support system here can truly shape your path forward.

Class of 2025
Maggie Hackworth

Being a first-generation student comes with unique challenges. The financial and personal hardships that accompany the college journey can make even the simplest things feel overwhelming. When I was awarded the Jane M. Slanker Scholarship, I felt pure relief. I still remember exactly where I was when I opened my financial aid packet; sitting in one of the oldest dorms on Ohio University’s campus, which was all I could afford at the time. Just months before, I had signed a lease and was already worrying about how I would manage rent, utilities, tuition, and my personal goals I wanted to pursue. The scholarship gave me the security I needed to move forward, and I will never be able to fully express how much that meant to me.

Beyond the financial support, the scholarship gave me a sense of community. Through my advisors and fellow recipients, I connected with like-minded students, many of them also first-generation and pursuing English or related fields, and that network became just as valuable as the financial help.

The opportunities this scholarship opened for me were life changing. It fully funded a trip to New York City in 2023, allowed me to study abroad in London in 2025, and gave me the freedom to focus on preparing for law school. More than just paying bills and rent, the scholarship gave me space to dream, travel, and take on opportunities I never thought possible.

As for advice, one quote has always stuck with me: “Money’s greatest value is that it buys control over time” (Morgan Housel). This scholarship does exactly that — it gives you the freedom to take control of your life as a financially independent student. That freedom leads to growth, happiness, and the ability to pursue opportunities at your own pace without the constant weight of financial pressure.