Press Release

Funding awards totaling nearly $1 million have been announced as part of a state initiative to increase the number of students who complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

A new scholarship will boost Ohio’s efforts to strengthen the state’s workforce in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

The scholarship, part of the Choose Ohio First (COF) program, will support an estimated 3,400 Ohio students who are new to the program, along with an additional 3,000 existing COF scholars. The scholarship was announced by Lt. Governor Jon Husted and Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) Chancellor Randy Gardner after the award total of $69,826,882, to be awarded over the next five years, was approved by the State Controlling Board.

A new statewide initiative aims to improve the number of students who complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

The Ohio Innovation Exchange (OIEx), an initiative of the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE), provides a powerful, centralized web platform that connects business and industry with faculty research, equipment, and facilities at Ohio’s universities, facilitating partnerships and fostering economic development throughout the state.

At Governor Mike DeWine’s press briefing today, Lt. Governor Jon Husted announced a new Request for Proposals (RFP) that would provide funding to support scholarship programs in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields.

The funding, part of the Ohio Department of Higher Education’s (ODHE) Choose Ohio First program, will boost Ohio’s efforts to strengthen the state’s workforce in the STEM fields while supporting an estimated 1,400 Ohio college students of all ages. More than $20 million would be awarded over the next five years.

Ohio is among several states observing a week dedicated to the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) grant. The grant – from the U.S. Department of Education – is designed to increase the number of low-income students prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education.

At the recommendation of Chancellor Randy Gardner and Superintendent of Public Instruction Paolo DeMaria, previously existing statutes, rules, and guidance relating to the College Credit Plus (CCP) program have been updated in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.

The updates attempt to provide as much flexibility as possible for students while continuing to implement the CCP program. CCP is Ohio’s dual enrollment program, providing students with the opportunity to earn college and high school credits at the same time.

Students at Bowling Green State University, Northwest State Community College, Rhodes State College, Terra State Community College, and the University of Toledo will be able to enhance their education and job preparedness in several fields thanks to funding approved by the state Controlling Board to purchase state-of-the-art equipment.

Students at Kent State University, Lakeland Community College, Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED), Stark State College, and The University of Akron will be able to enhance their education and job preparedness in several fields thanks to funding approved by the state Controlling Board to purchase state-of-the-art equipment.

Students at Cleveland State University, Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C), and Lorain County Community College will be able to enhance their education and job preparedness in several fields thanks to funding approved by the state Controlling Board to purchase state-of-the-art equipment.