Choose Ohio First Scholarships
The Autumn 2025 application is now OPEN!
Please use the link below to apply for the Choose Ohio First Scholarship for the Autumn 2025 semester ONLY. Application closes Friday, August 1, 2025.
The Autumn 2025 semester application will be available: May 1, 2025 – August 1, 2025.
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
Engineering Technologies
Health & Human Services
Skilled Trades
Future Scientists | STEM Scholarship
For the Choose Ohio First scholarship for Associate of Science students, see our Future Scientists Scholarship.
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
- Digital Design & Graphics
- Interactive Media Mobile Application Design
- Mobile App Development
- Software Development
- Network Administration
- Web Development
Short Term Certificates:
- Cisco Certified Network Administrator Routing & Switching Certificate
- Computer Literacy Certificate
- Digital Design 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.