Choose Ohio First | Ursuline - Liberal Arts College in OH

Ursuline College has been awarded a grant from the State to provide Choose Ohio First (COF) Scholarships to students with interests in science (including health professions), technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM) careers. Eligible students at Ursuline College are entering new students interested in Nursing, Art Therapy, Biology, Biochemistry, and Chemistry. The scholarship program connects students to work-based learning experiences including mentorship, job shadowing, internships, and research. The goal of the COF program is to encourage Ohio residents to enter STEMM disciplines and join the Ohio workforce.

Advancing STEMM Education

The Choose Ohio First Scholarship Program is designed to significantly strengthen Ohio’s competitiveness within science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine disciplines and STEMM education. Choose Ohio First provides scholarships to students in innovative academic programs developed by Ohio’s colleges and universities and their business partners, to recruit and retain more students in STEMM fields.

Choose Ohio First funds higher education and business collaborations that will have the most impact on Ohio’s position in world markets, such as aerospace, medicine, computer technology, and alternative energy. These collaborations will ultimately produce substantive improvements to the pipeline of STEMM graduates and STEMM educators in Ohio. Choose Ohio First is part of a strategic effort to bolster Ohio’s economic strength by ensuring a ready workforce for STEMM-related industries.

Choose Ohio First Facts:

73% of all Choose Ohio First scholars graduate within four years.
The average COF scholar maintains a 3.5 cumulative GPA.
44% of Choose Ohio First scholars are first-generation and/or low income.
One out of five COF students is a nontraditional student over the age of 25.

Choose Ohio First Scholarships: First-year Students

The Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) has granted Ursuline College funds to award annual, renewable Choose Ohio First scholarships of up to $2,500 per student.

Choose Ohio First at Ursuline College

Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA
Eligible majors are Nursing, Art Therapy, Biology, Biochemistry, and Chemistry. This also includes health-related Pre-Professional Biology and Chemistry majors interested in Pre-Medicine, Pre-Dentistry, Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Physical Therapy, or Pre-Veterinary concentrations.
Faculty Mentors connect students to mentors, job shadowing, internships, and research
All students must complete a work-based experience before graduation
Students must participate in Ursuline FIT, a pre-orientation program that enables a successful transition
Students must meet at least 2X a semester with the COF Coordinator for advising, and participate in programs that provide skills and resources to succeed

Applying to Ursuline’s COF Scholars Program

Students must first apply and be admitted to Ursuline College. Student can apply to Ursuline at www.ursuline.edu/apply.

For eligible incoming students, invitations to apply to the COF Scholars Program will be emailed directly to them. Each year the application to apply our COF Scholars opens in November, with our first priority deadline to apply in December. After December, a second round of students will be selected by mid-March. We recommend completing your COF Scholars Application as soon as your invitation arrives.