Franklin University Choose Ohio First Application

Award Information

The Choose Ohio First Scholarship (COF) is competitive and merit-based. The scholarship award amount is $2,500 per trimester (Summer, Fall, Spring) totaling up to $7,500 per academic year. The scholarship is renewable as long as program and eligibility requirements (below) continue to be met until graduation or up to 11 consecutive* trimesters following the initial trimester of awarding (whichever applies).

*regardless of whether coursework was completed in a given trimester.

Application Deadlines

Summer trimester: Friday, April 10, 2026
Fall trimester: Tuesday, June 30, 2026

Undergraduate Applicant Requirements

Be an Ohio resident (current resident of at least one year or graduate of an Ohio high school).
Be a new student to Franklin University actively seeking an approved undergraduate credential (certificate, AAS, AS, or BS degree) in a COF-eligible program of study or a current student who is switching to a COF-eligible program of study.*
Have a high school GPA of 3.0 or a cumulative GPA of 3.0 through other institutions, ACT score of 25 or higher, or SAT score of 1200 or higher.
Not participate in a U-LEARN partnership.
Have a commitment to completing COF program requirements, including completion of a work-based learning experience, participation in University-sponsored COF Scholar events, etc.

*The Choose Ohio First program is only for students pursuing a first-time undergraduate (bachelor’s) degree. Post-baccalaureate students are not eligible for this program.

Graduate Applicant Requirements

Be an Ohio resident (current resident of at least one year).
Be a new student to Franklin University actively seeking an approved graduate credential (certificate or MS degree) in a COF-eligible program of study or a current student who is switching to a COF-eligible program of study.
Have a cumulative 3.0 undergraduate GPA.
Not participate in an Earn + Learn partnership.
Have a commitment to completing COF program requirements, including completion of a work-based learning experience, participation in University-sponsored COF Scholar events, etc.

First Name

Last Name

Email Address - Please use your Franklin Student Email Address if known.

Were you a Choose Ohio First Scholar at another institution?

Please indicate which institution you were an active recipient of the COF scholarship

Will you have been an Ohio Resident for at least 1 year at the time of this application?

Unfortunately, you are unable to apply for the Choose Ohio First scholarship as you do not meet the Ohio residency requirements.

Are you a new student at Franklin University?

What trimester do you intend to start Franklin University?

Please select which COF-eligible program you will be starting.

Please indicate which trimester you intend to switch to a COF-eligible program.

Unfortunately, you are unable to apply for the Choose Ohio First scholarship as you have already started your COF-eligible program.

Please select which COF-eligible program you will be switching to.

Scholarship Recipient Requirements

Maintain an overall 3.0 GPA (good academic standing).
Maintain enrollment in an approved credential in a COF-eligible program of study.
Maintain at least half-time status in Franklin University coursework for at least 2 trimesters per year.
Meet with their assigned faculty mentor at least once per trimester.
Make continued progress in PF 500: Proposal Planning for Choose Ohio First Scholars, including completion of an approved proposal at least 4 trimesters prior to their intended graduation trimester.
Enroll in PF 500: Experiential Learning for Choose Ohio First Scholars and complete 1 work-based learning experience at least 1 trimester prior to their intended graduation trimester.
Not participate in a U-LEARN or Earn + Learn partnership.
Maintain state of Ohio residency and provide periodic proof if requested by the COF Scholarship Program.
Abide by the Franklin University community standards, including the student code of conduct and academic integrity policy.
Participate in any other COF-sponsored activities (surveys, progress checks, etc.).

Maintain an overall 3.0 GPA (good academic standing).
Maintain enrollment in an approved credential in a COF-eligible program of study.
Maintain at least half-time status in Franklin University coursework for at least 2 trimesters per year.
Meet with their assigned faculty mentor at least once per trimester.
Make continued progress in PF 500: Proposal Planning for Choose Ohio First Scholars, including completion of an approved proposal at least 4 trimesters prior to their intended graduation trimester.
Enroll in PF 500: Experiential Learning for Choose Ohio First Scholars and complete 1 work-based learning experience at least 1 trimester prior to their intended graduation trimester.
Not participate in a U-LEARN or Earn + Learn partnership.
Maintain state of Ohio residency and provide periodic proof if requested by the COF Scholarship Program.
Abide by the Franklin University community standards, including the student code of conduct and academic integrity policy.
Participate in any other COF-sponsored activities (surveys, progress checks, etc.).

Final Approval and Acknowledgement

By signing and submitting this form, I agree that if selected as a recipient, I acknowledge that I must adhere to these scholarship eligibility requirements.

I also acknowledge that the Choose Ohio First Scholarship is provided jointly by the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) and Franklin University, and that the ODHE allocation is funded by the State of Ohio and availability depends on state budget decisions, scholarship award amounts are subject to change, and may be reduced or canceled at any time.

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Franklin University Choose Ohio First Application

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