Second-Year Transformational Experience Program (STEP)
Buck-I-SERV offers trips during winter, spring and summer breaks. Each trip provides a unique location, service project and experience to promote different opportunities for students and to meet the needs of our community partners. Students participating in the STEP program may be eligible to utilize the STEP Fellowship to cover the cost of a Buck-I-SERV trip. STEP participants must complete all required STEP components and make Buck-I-SERV their STEP Signature Project.
About STEP
STEP represents a unique opportunity for second-year students to explore their academic, personal and professional goals under the guidance of a Faculty Mentor. Through engagement in small-group cohort meetings and other specialized programming, students will develop skills in financial literacy, career exploration and wellness. The program culminates in the pursuit of a STEP Signature Project in one of the following categories: Creative and Artistic Endeavor, Education Abroad, Internship, Leadership, Service-Learning or Undergraduate Research, for which eligible transformational experiences may receive up to $2,000 in STEP funding. Afterwards, students present their projects at the STEP Expo, a showcase of experiential learning. Over the lifespan of the program, STEP has enhanced student retention and has propelled students' development as individuals, scholars and aspiring professionals.
Learn More About STEP!
Buck-I-SERV and STEP
Buck-I-SERV is an exciting opportunity for STEP participants to utilize their STEP Fellowship while giving back to the community. In order to utilize STEP Fellowship funds for a Buck-I-SERV trip, student must complete a number of action steps. While Buck-I-SERV makes every effort to place STEP participants on a Buck-I-SERV trip, there is no guarentee of placement.
Step 1: Join STEP
First-year students indicate their interest in STEP during the housing reselection process that occurs during the spring semester. Students who do not participate in housing reselection, or who have an approved exemption on file with Student Life Housing and Residence Education, will be contacted by STEP via email to indicate their interest in the program.
Step 2: Be a STEP Participant
STEP participants must complete several requirements to remain eligible for the STEP Fellowship. These requirements include attending weekly STEP cohort meetings, completing the financial wellness component, visiting the STEP Expo, participating in professional development co-curricular programs, and completing all steps for the STEP Signature Project.
Step 3: Choose Buck-I-SERV as the STEP Signature Project
A STEP Signature Project is a self-designed, experiential learning opportunity that supports students’ personal and professional growth. These transformative projects allow students to gain hands-on experience in one of the following six categories, including service-learning. The purpose of engaging in Service-Learning at the collegiate level, and as a STEP Signature Project, goes beyond simply performing a direct service. A STEP Signature Project focused on service allows for critical exploration of underlying causes, challenges and politics related to a particular societal issue.
Step 4: Apply for a Buck-I-SERV Trip
Buck-I-SERV offers trips during winter, spring and summer breaks. Each trip provides a unique location, service project and experience to promote different opportunities for students and to meet the needs of our community partners. Students, leaders and advisors are encouraged to explore and apply for any and all of the trips of interest to them. Interested students must complete a Buck-I-SERV trip application for each cycle they wish to be considered for.
Step 5: Update the STEP Signature Project
If a student is placed on a Buck-I-SERV trip, they typically must update thier STEP Signature Project. Students who did not choose Buck-I-SERV for their project originally, or based thier project on a trip that is different than the one they are placed on, must update their projects in order to receive the STEP Fellowship.
Step 6: Enjoy the Buck-I-SERV Trip!
Travel, learn, and serve with Buck-I-SERV! Remember to take lots of pictures to share at the STEP Expo.
Explore Buck-I-SERV Trips!
Important Dates*
Buck-I-SERV is an exciting opportunity for STEP participants to utilize their STEP Fellowship while giving back to the community. In order to utilize STEP Fellowship funds for a Buck-I
2024-2025 STEP Cohort
STEP
- Indicate Interest: Spring 2024
- Participate: Academic Year 2024-2025
- Complete Signature Project: Spring 2025
Summer 2025
- Application Available: Early-January 2025
- Application Due: Mid-February 2025
- Trips Travel: Early-May 2025
Winter 2025-2026
- Application Available: Late-August 2025
- Application Due: Late-September 2025
- Trips Travel: Early-January 2026
Spring 2026
- Application Available: Early-October 2025
- Application Due: Late-November 2025
- Trips Travel: Mid-March 2026
Summer 2026
- Application Available: Early-January 2026
- Application Due: Mid-February 2026
- Trips Travel: Early-May 2026
2025-2026 STEP Cohort
STEP
- Indicate Interest: Spring 2025
- Participate: Academic Year 2025-2026
- Complete Signature Project: Spring 2026
Summer 2026
- Application Available: Early-January 2026
- Application Due: Mid-February 2026
- Trips Travel: Early-May 2026
Winter 2026-2027
- Application Available: Late-August 2026
- Application Due: Late-September 2026
- Trips Travel: Early-January 2027
Spring 2027
- Application Available: Early-October 2026
- Application Due: Late-November 2026
- Trips Travel: Mid-March 2027
Summer 2027
- Application Available: Early-January 2027
- Application Due: Mid-February 2027
- Trips Travel: Early-May 2027
2026-2027 STEP Cohort
STEP
- Indicate Interest: Spring 2026
- Participate: Academic Year 2026-2027
- Complete Signature Project: Spring 2027
Summer 2027
- Application Available: Early-January 2027
- Application Due: Mid-February 2027
- Trips Travel: Early-May 2027
Winter 2027-2028
- Application Available: Late-August 2027
- Application Due: Late-September 2027
- Trips Travel: Early-January 2028
Spring 2027
- Application Available: Early-October 2027
- Application Due: Late-November 2027
- Trips Travel: Mid-March 2028
Summer 2027
- Application Available: Early-January 2028
- Application Due: Mid-February 2028
- Trips Travel: Early-May 2028
*Dates are subject to change
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can more information on Buck-I-SERV and STEP be found? Learn more about Buck-I-SERV at lead.osu.edu/community-engagement/buck-i-serv. Learn more about STEP at STEP.osu.edu.
How much does a Buck-I-SERV trip cost? Domestic Buck-I-SERV trips for the 2025-2026 academic year will have a student participant fee of $500, while international trips will range from $2,000-$3,000. Student leaders are provided a 50% discount off the participant fee, while advisors incur no participant fee.
What does the Buck-I-SERV student fee cover? The majority of essential trip costs are covered in the Buck-I-SERV student fee, including roundtrip transportation, lodging, group activities, and all meals. Students are responsible for any required passport/visa fees, individual expenses (souveniers, snacks, etc.), and necessary equipment (sunscreen, hiking boots, etc.)
Is there a sample STEP budget available to view? Buck-I-SERV international trip participants will typically use the entire STEP Fellowship to cover the Buck-I-SERV student fee. Students with additional funds available can submit a proposed budget for additional items. Items that will not be approved by STEP include anything covered by the Buck-I-SERV student fee, cameras, medicine, electronics, souvenirs, and excursion costs.
Sample Domestic Trip STEP Budget
The budget below is only an example and each proposal will be different. Items below are not guarenteed to be approved in all instances.
| Expenses | Estimated Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Program Fee Includes all transportation, meals, lodging, service costs, and group activities |
$500 | |
| Clothing Examples include hiking boots, rain jacket, sun protection, and quick dry items |
Maximum $200 | |
| Backpack or Luggage | Maximum $100 | |
| Other Required Items Examples include bug spray, pillow, bedding, sleeping bag, and sunscreen |
$200 (Estimate) | |
| Total | $1000 (Estimate) | |
Will the future Buck-I-SERV trips be available when the proposal is due? No. We do not release the trip schedule until closer to the trip travel dates. Students should base their proposals on a past trip offering which are available on Buck-I-SERV's website.
Are students guarenteed a Buck-I-SERV trip placement? Students are not guarenteed a Buck-I-SERV trip placement. Although Buck-I-SERV makes every effort to place all students, typically there is more interest than spaces available. STEP students are recommended to apply for early application cycles so that they may reapply later, if not placed.
What if I'm placed on a Buck-I-SERV trip that is different than the one proposed? Most students are placed on a different trip! After being placed, STEP students will need to update the proposal in order to receive their STEP Fellowship. All deadlines must be followed to remain eligible.
Will payment be required before the STEP Fellowship is released? No. Buck-I-SERV works with STEP and thier students to arrange payment once the STEP Fellowship has been released.
Can non-Columbus campus students participate in Buck-I-SERV? Unfortunately, no. Due to Buck-I-SERV's funding structure through the Student Activity Fee, only Columbus based students who pay the fee are eligible to participate in Buck-I-SERV.