Eligibility
Eligible students who apply to Ohio State and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) are invited to apply for the Choose Ohio First (COF) scholarship through Scholarship Universe. The scholarship amount varies according to the COF program ($2,098.00 - $5,200.00 per year). Students can apply to more than one COF scholarship. However, if selected, students will be awarded for four years under one COF scholarship only. See the COF scholarship eligibility criteria according to each Ohio State campus including transfer students.
The application cycle for all Choose Ohio First scholarship programs in Columbus campus is closed.
The application cycle for all Choose Ohio First scholarship programs in Columbus campus typically opens on December 1 with a priority due date of February 1. Due to changes in the FAFSA financial aid priority date, the COF scholarship program priority deadline has been extended to March 15 at 11:59PM ET. The application, however, will remain open until April 15. Applicants after the March 15 new priority date will be added to the waitlist.
Students that apply to the COF and attending to Ohio State Columbus campus must meet the following requirements:
Must be an Ohio resident.
Must be an incoming freshman.
Must have a cumulative High School GPA of 3.00 or higher.
Must also maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher once admitted to the program.
Must be accepted and enrolled as a full-time or part-time student at Ohio State and declare a STEMM pre-major/major approved by the program.
Must write two essays. The essays are submitted through Scholarship Universe while completing the scholarship application. The topics include the following:
STEMM related background and experience(s) with STEMM outreach and/or community service.
Career aspirations and commitment to fostering a culture of engagement and service.
The application cycle for all Choose Ohio First scholarship programs in Lima, Mansfield, Marion, and Newark campuses is closed.
The application cycle for all Choose Ohio First scholarship programs in Lima, Mansfield, Marion, and Newark campuses typically opens on December 1 with a priority due date of July 15. The application, however, will remain open until September 15. Applicants after the July 15 priority date will be added to the waitlist.
Students that apply to the COF and attending to Ohio State Lima, Mansfield, Marion, and Newark campuses must meet the following requirements:
Must be an Ohio resident.
Must be an incoming freshman.
Must have a cumulative High School GPA of 3.00 or higher.
Must also maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher once admitted to the program.
Must be accepted and enrolled as a full-time or part-time student at Ohio State and declare the Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology (BSET) as their intended major.
Must write two essays. The essays are submitted through Scholarship Universe while completing the scholarship application. The topics include the following:
STEMM related background and experience(s) with STEMM outreach and/or community service.
Career aspirations and commitment to fostering a culture of engagement and service.
The application cycle for all Choose Ohio First scholarship programs in Columbus campus is closed.
The application cycle for all Choose Ohio First scholarship programs in Columbus campus typically opens on December 1 with a priority due date of February 1. Due to changes in the FAFSA financial aid priority date, the COF scholarship program priority deadline has been extended to March 15 at 11:59PM EST. The application, however, will remain open until April 15. Applicants after the March 15 new priority date will be added to the waitlist.
Students that apply to the COF and transfer to Ohio State must meet the following requirements:
Must be an Ohio resident.
Must transfer from Columbus State Community College Future Scientists of Ohio (FSO) Scholarship Program to Ohio State Columbus campus.
Transfer students will be considered for the Advancing an Inclusive Biotech Economy in Ohio (IBE-Transfer) program only.
Must have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher.
Must also maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher once admitted to the program.
Must be accepted and enrolled as a full-time or part-time student at Ohio State and declare a STEMM pre-major/major approved by the program.
Must write two essays. The essays are submitted through Scholarship Universe while completing the scholarship application. The topics include the following:
STEMM related background and experience(s) with STEMM outreach and/or community service.
Career aspirations and commitment to fostering a culture of engagement and service.
Choose Ohio First Scholarships
Scholarship |
Date Application Opens
|
Priority Application Deadline
|
Final Application Deadline |
Future of Microelectronics Science and Manufacturing in Ohio (FMSMO-Engineering); Future of Microelectronics Science and Manufacturing in Ohio (FMSMO-Science); Advancement and Inclusion in Ohio's STEM Workforce (AIOSW-Engineering); Advancement and Inclusion in Ohio's STEM Workforce (AIOSW-Science); Advancing an Inclusive Biotech Economy in Ohio (IBEO-Engineering); Advancing an Inclusive Biotech Economy in Ohio (IBEO-Science); Innovators for a New STEMM Workforce (INSW-Science); Innovators for a New STEMM Workforce (INSW-Nursing); Innovators for a New STEMM Workforce (INSW-Pharmacy) Incoming freshman; Columbus campus only |
December 1 |
February 15 |
April 15 |
Future of Microelectronics Science and Manufacturing in Ohio (FMSMO-BSET); Advancement and Inclusion in Ohio's STEM Workforce (AIOSW-BSET); Innovators for a New STEMM Workforce (INSW-BSET) Incoming freshman; Lima, Mansfield, Marion, and Newark campuses only |
December 1 |
February 15 |
April 15 |
Advancing an Inclusive Biotech Economy in Ohio (IBEO-Transfer) Transfer students; Columbus campus only |
December 1 |
February 15 |
April 15 |
If you encounter difficulties with the application process or have questions about the program requirements, please contact us.
How to find the Choose Ohio First scholarship application in Scholarship Universe?
- Log in to Scholarship Universe with Ohio State credentials.
- Type "Choose Ohio First" under the search bar located at the top right corner of the computer screen (or any electronic device).
- Choose Ohio First scholarships should be displayed under search results as long as the application period is open.