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Choose Ohio First Scholarships

Get a great career with no debt. We're offering a tuition-assistance scholarship for students entering in-demand fields. The Choose Ohio First Scholarship Program is available to incoming students pursuing programs in:

Information Systems Technology

Information Systems Technology

Information Systems Technology

Engineering Technologies

Information Systems Technology

Health & Human Services

Information Systems Technology

Skilled Trades

Scholarship image

Future Scientists | STEM Scholarship

For the Choose Ohio First scholarship for Associate of Science students, see our Future Scientists Scholarship.

2025 Scholarships available

There are scholarships available for students starting in one of the covered programs (listed below) in 2025. Spring 2025 application is now closed.  

If you are starting your program in the Summer:

  • Summer 2025: application available February 1, 2025 – March 31, 2025
  • Autumn 2025: application available May 1, 2025 – June 30, 2025 

For more information, contact: Ayanna Garrett, agarrett22@cscc.edu.

In addition to scholarship money, Choose Ohio First recipients will learn together as a cohort as they complete their program at Columbus State. Choose Ohio First recipients are a part of the STEM Experiential Learning Scholarship Community, which meets on campus once a month. Students will also have access to a specialized orientation, tutoring, research projects, and special events.

All Choose Ohio First scholars are required to participate in work-based learning experiences relevant to their plan of study. We'll help with connecting accepted students with resources such as career services, academic advising, and faculty mentors.

Eligibility & Application Steps

The following programs are eligible for Choose Ohio First scholarships. When you apply to Columbus State, make sure you declare one of these majors. Candidates need to be starting one of these academic programs in the semester your funding begins. Continuing students within a covered program are not eligible for this scholarship. If you are an existing Columbus State student switching into a covered major in the semester you are applying for funding, you are eligible.

Information Systems Technology

Associate of Applied Science in:

  • Cybersecurity
  • Software Development
  • Network Administration
  • Web Development

Short Term Certificates:

  • Cisco Certified Network Administrator Routing & Switching Certificate
  • Computer Literacy Certificate
  • IT Security Stackable Certificate
  • IT Support Stackable Certificate
  • Network Administrator Certificate
  • Software Developer Certificate
  • Mobile Game Applications Certificate
  • Linux Certificate
  • IT Technician Certificate
  • Data Center Technician Certificate
  • Database Specialist Certificate

Health & Human Services

  • Basic EKG Certificate
  • Dental Hygiene Associate of Applied Science
  • Emergency Medical Services Associate of Applied Science
  • Emergency Medical Technician Certificate
  • Exercise Specialist Certificate
  • GXMO Medical Imaging Certificate
  • Health Care Manager Certificate
  • Health Info Management Associate of Applied Science
  • Health Information Management Technician Certificate
  • Healthcare Management Associate of Applied Science
  • Massage Therapy Certificate
  • Massage Therapy-Advanced Techniques Certificate
  • Massage/Entrepreneurship Associate of Technical Studies
  • Medical Lab Tech Clinical Laboratory Assisting Certificate
  • Medical Assisting Certificate
  • Medical Assisting Associate of Technical Studies
  • Medical Coding Certificate
  • Medical Imaging/Radiography Associate of Applied Science
  • Medical Laboratory Associate of Applied Science
  • Multi-Skilled Health Associate of Applied Science
  • Nurse Aide Certificate
  • Nursing Associate of Applied Science
  • Paramedic Certificate
  • Patient Care Assistant Certificate
  • Pharmacy Technician Certificate
  • Phlebotomy Certificate
  • Practical Nursing Program
  • Rescue Technician Certificate
  • Respiratory Care Associate of Applied Science
  • Social Work and Human Services AAS
  • Sterile Processing Technology Certificate
  • Surgical Technology Associate of Applied Science
  • Veterinary Tech Associate of Applied Science

 

Engineering Technologies

Associate of Applied Science in:

  • Mechanical Engineering Technology
  • Electromechanical Engineering Technology
  • Electrical Engineering Technology
  • Logistics Engineering Technology
  • Semiconductor Fundamentals Certificate

Skilled Trades

  • Welding Associate of Applied Science
  • Intermediate Pipe & Plate Tig Welder Certificate
  • Intermediate Pipe and Plate Tig Welder Certificate
  • Intermediate Pipe I Welder Certificate
  • Intermediate Pipe II Welder Certificate
  • Intermediate Welder Certificate
  • Welding Module Certificate

STEM Majors

For the Choose Ohio First scholarship for Associate of Science degrees, see our Future Scientists Scholarship.

To be eligible for a scholarship, a student must:

a. Be an Ohio resident

b. Be accepted and enrolled as a Columbus State student and declared within one of the target programs (see Eligible Degrees, above):

c. Be new to the academic program listed above in the semester your funding begins. Continuing students within a covered program are not eligible for this scholarship. If you are an existing Columbus State student switching into a covered major in the semester you are applying for funding, you are eligible

d. Be starting at college level courses (not taking developmental courses while pursuing your degree).  See Placement & Testing

e. Complete the FAFSA for the academic year in which you are applying for the scholarship

f. Write a brief essay outlining college and career aspirations (on application)

 


To be considered for this opportunity, please complete the interest form

The COF contract includes:

  • Scholarship criteria
  • Active participation in co-curricular programming through the STEM Experiential Learning Scholarship Community including STEM Club, the Technology Speaker Series, and other career exploratory activities.
  • Agreement to submit responses to the evaluation surveys
  • All other requirements and expectations of COF Scholars, including their academic and professional conduct.