Choose Ohio First
The Choose Ohio First STEM Scholarship Program helps to recruit and increase more graduates in the science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine fields from The University of Akron.
The Choose Ohio First application for incoming first-year students is open NOW! Find eligibility criteria and the application below!
About the program
The Choose Ohio First STEM Scholarship Program provides financial assistance plus additional resources to support your success at UA.
UA began the program in 2009 with a grant provided by the State of Ohio, with a goal of producing an additional 800 graduates in the science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine fields.
More information on Choose Ohio First scholarships for graduate students will be posted as it is available.
Eligibility
Who is eligible for the Choose Ohio First STEM scholarship?
- Must be an Ohio resident
- 3.0 cumulative GPA highly encouraged according to state guidelines
- Must major in a qualifying recruited STEM field*
- Must be full-time on main UA campus
- Must apply to the Choose Ohio First STEM Scholarship Program during qualifying window:
- Incoming First-Year Students: October 1st to January 31st
- Transfer Students: Accepted on a rolling basis; students encouraged to apply as soon as possible in transfer process
- Current Students: Accepted on a rolling basis; students encouraged to apply as soon as possible in the major change process
- Additional Requirements:
- Must be an incoming first-year student applying to attend UA OR,
- Must be a transfer student applying to UA or who has recently transferred to UA OR,
- Must be a current student* who has not completed more than one semester in their new eligible major (75% or more of a semester considered one semester)
- *Current students in their first year are not eligible to apply for the Current & Transfer Application unless there is a documented change in their program of study since the start of their academic career.
If you have any questions regarding the eligibility requirements, please feel free to email us at oarsstaff@uakron.edu.
Eligible Programs for Incoming First-Year Student Application Eligible Programs for Current & Transfer Student Application
Application
Applications for Incoming First-Year Students are open every year from October 1 to January 31 for the next following academic year. In order to apply for the Choose Ohio First Scholarship, students must first complete their application to The University of Akron.
Incoming First-Year Student Application
Applications for Current & Transfer Students are accepted on a rolling basis. Students are encouraged to apply sooner than later. In order to apply for the Current & Transfer Application, students must finalize their attendance and have received their UA Student ID number and their university email. (Coming soon!)
First, the Choose Ohio First application is currently only open to prospective first-year students (those applying to UA) and is not available to anyone currently enrolled at UA. Second, prospective students must apply to UA and therefore have a UA Admission’s portal account. This application will use the same login credentials.
Yes, applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA. Test scores are not required.
Meeting the minimum eligibility criteria does not guarantee selection, as we receive 600+ applications each year. If you were not awarded the scholarship, you may be placed on a waitlist and could still have an opportunity to receive funding, depending on the number of students who decline the scholarship. Students who are placed on the waitlist will be notified.
Historically, current UA students have had a separate application. That process is currently under strategic review. Any updates that may be shared regarding this process will be found on the “Choose Ohio First” page or on our social media sites linked at the bottom of the page.
Continuing students may reapply if they have recently switched to a STEM-eligible major within one semester of the application deadline. However, reapplying does not guarantee an award. The application for AY 25-26 has not been released.
The deadline to apply for Choose Ohio First is January 31st. We aim to notify students by March 31st, and ideally, recipients will see the scholarship reflected on their UA Financial Aid Award Letter.
COF Scholarship decisions are final. However, students are encouraged to reach out to the Student Financial Aid Office for guidance on alternative scholarship opportunities.
Yes! To set up a meeting, select the “Prospective Student” option on our Bookings link. Additionally, our contact information can be found on our Staff page.
Contact OARS
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Email: oarsstaff@uakron.edu
Phone: 330-972-7760
Fax: 330-972-5848
OARS Staff
Office:
Simmons Hall 301 (map)
277 East Buchtel Ave.
Akron, OH 44325-4000