Choose Ohio First STEM Scholarship Program at The University of Akron

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.

 NEWS: UA receives state's largest grant in support of Choose Ohio First Scholars Program

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.

Starting in Fall 2024, UA also began providing Choose Ohio First scholarships to graduate students. More information on the Graduate Choose Ohio First scholarship can be found here. Please direct any questions to Dr. B. Audrey Nguyen-Rudy (anguyen@uakron.edu).

Choose Ohio First STEM Scholarship at The University of AkronChoose Ohio First Scholars come from a variety of backgrounds and with many goals. Our community includes students who:

  • Would normally go out of state for a STEM degree
  • Are interested in STEM but choose a different major
  • Are non-traditional students seeking to enhance or change their career
  • Are former military personnel
  • Are working in the STEM industry
  • Are underrepresented in the STEM disciplines

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 (October 1st to January 31st) for the next academic year
  • Can be an incoming, first-time undergraduate or transfer student

Majors Eligible for Fall 2025 Application

Choose Ohio First at The University of AkronApplication

Applications for Incoming First-Year Student 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.

The application for Incoming First-Year Student is currently closed.

Current and Transfer Students can apply online. 

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. 

Select “No” unless you are certain that you are Pell eligible.

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