Ohio State is in the process of revising websites and program materials to accurately reflect compliance with the law. While this work occurs, language referencing protected class status or other activities prohibited by Ohio Senate Bill 1 may still appear in some places. However, all programs and activities are being administered in compliance with federal and state law.

Apply to Choose Ohio First at Ohio State

Choose Ohio First Scholarship logo with words in blue, red, and white color

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). 

See the COF scholarship eligibility criteria according to each Ohio State campus including transfer students below.

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 15 at 11:59PM ET. The application, however, will remain open until April 15 at 11:59PM ET. Student applicants after the February 15 priority date will be added to the waitlist.

Students who apply to the COF program and attend to the 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.
    • Students who enroll as a part-time will have their scholarship funds prorated based on the total number of credit hours registered each semester.
  • 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.
    • Career aspirations and commitment to fostering a culture of engagement and service.

If the student applicant is a recipient of the following scholarships: Morrill Scholarship - Distinction, Land Grant Opportunity Scholarship, Stamps Eminence Scholarship, then they are not eligible to receive the COF scholarship. 

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 15 at 11:59PM ET. The application, however, will remain open until April 15 at 11:59PM ET. Student applicants after the February 15 priority date will be added to the waitlist.

Students who apply to the COF and attend to the 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.
    • Students who enroll as a part-time will have their scholarship funds prorated based on the total number of credit hours registered each semester.
  • 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.
    • Career aspirations and commitment to fostering a culture of engagement and service.

If the student applicant is a recipient of the following scholarships: Morrill Scholarship - Distinction, Land Grant Opportunity Scholarship, Stamps Eminence Scholarship, then they are not eligible to receive the COF scholarship. 

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 15 at 11:59PM ET. The application, however, will remain open until April 15 at 11:59PM ET. Student applicants after the February 15 priority date will be added to the waitlist.

Students who 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 (CSCC) 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 (IBEO-Transfer) and State and Regional STEM (STARS-Transfer) COF scholarships 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.
    • Students who enroll as a part-time will have their scholarship funds prorated based on the total number of credit hours registered each semester.
  • 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.
    • Career aspirations and commitment to fostering a culture of engagement and service.

If the student applicant is a recipient of the following scholarships: Morrill Scholarship - Distinction, Land Grant Opportunity Scholarship, Stamps Eminence Scholarship, then they are not eligible to receive the COF scholarship. 

Choose Ohio First Scholarships

When students complete the scholarship application in Scholarship Universe, they are applying to multiple COF scholarships simultaneously. The number of scholarships that students can apply depends on their pre-major or major. To see how many scholarships students can apply for, please check the STEMM pre-major/major approved by the program. 

However, if selected, students will receive funding under one COF scholarship only, for a total of four academic years (eight academic terms, excluding summer). COF scholarships are distributed on the condition of continued support of the Ohio Board of Regents and scholars meeting requirements under the Ohio House of Science and Engineering (OHSE).

Submitting the 2026-2027 Choose Ohio First (COF) Scholarship Application: Freshman in Scholarship Universe automatically applies you to all eligible COF scholarships associated with your pre-major or major and eligibility requirements presented above.

  • 25.32 State and Regional STEM (STARS-Engineering)
  • 25.32 State and Regional STEM (STARS-Science)
  • 24.34 Future of Microelectronics Science and Manufacturing in Ohio (FMSMO-Engineering)
  • 24.34 Future of Microelectronics Science and Manufacturing in Ohio (FMSMO-Science)
  • 23.36 Advancement and Inclusion in Ohio's STEM Workforce (AIOSW-Engineering)
  • 23.36 Advancement and Inclusion in Ohio's STEM Workforce (AIOSW-Science)
  • 22.28 Advancing an Inclusive Biotech Economy in Ohio (IBEO-Engineering)
  • 22.28 Advancing an Inclusive Biotech Economy in Ohio (IBEO-Science)

Submitting the 2026-2027 Choose Ohio First (COF) Scholarship Application: BSET in Scholarship Universe automatically applies you to all eligible COF scholarships associated with your pre-major or major and eligibility requirements presented above.

  • 24.34 Future of Microelectronics Science and Manufacturing in Ohio (FMSMO-BSET)
  • 23.36 Advancement and Inclusion in Ohio's STEM Workforce (AIOSW-BSET)

Submitting the 2026-2027 Choose Ohio First (COF) Scholarship Application: CSCC Transfer in Scholarship Universe automatically applies you to all eligible COF scholarships associated with your pre-major or major and eligibility requirements presented above.

  • 25.32 State and Regional STEM (STARS-Transfer)
  • 22.28 Advancing an Inclusive Biotech Economy in Ohio (IBEO-Transfer)

How to find the Choose Ohio First scholarship application in Scholarship Universe?

  • Log in to Scholarship Universe with Ohio State credentials.
  • Click under "Applications" tab.
  • If you meet the eligibility requirements for the Choose Ohio First scholarship, the available applications will appear in the list below as long as the application period is open.