Columbus State Choose Ohio First Scholarships

Eligibility

• Be an Ohio resident accepted and enrolled at Columbus State in a program on the official eligible list.
• Be new to the covered academic program in the funding semester. Current students switching into an eligible major can qualify; students already continuing in that covered program cannot.
• Start college-level coursework rather than developmental coursework and complete the FAFSA for the award academic year.

Requirements

• Submit the separate Choose Ohio First application and a brief essay describing college and career aspirations.
• Spring 2027 applications are identified as open. Summer 2027 applications become available January 8, 2027; a COF-specific closing date is not published.
• Do not assume the site-wide October 31 general scholarship banner is this program's deadline; confirm COF timing with its coordinator.
• Participate in the monthly STEM Experiential Learning Scholarship Community, relevant work-based learning and the co-curricular activities/evaluation surveys in the COF agreement. Confirm award duration and continuation terms.

How to Apply

1. 1Apply to Columbus State and declare an eligible new program.
2. 2Complete the FAFSA and separate COF application with the career-goals essay.
3. 3Confirm funding availability, dates and cohort/work-based learning obligations.