Mansfield, OH – The Ohio Department of Higher education has awarded North Central State College a total of $1,818,339.50 in Choose Ohio First (COF) Scholarship Funds. These funds will provide scholarships for students enrolled in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine) coursework beginning with the 2021 school year. This was the second-largest COF award in the state of Ohio. At NC State, students in seven areas of study are eligible to receive grant dollars: Bioscience, Integrated Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Visual Communications Multimedia Technology, IT Networking, and Cybersecurity, Nursing, Licensed Practical Nursing, and Respiratory Care.
“North Central graduates are entering the workforce bringing additional expertise in healthcare, manufacturing, and business,” Dean of Academic Services Toni Johnson at NC State College explains. “Employers need this pool of talented graduates to recover from the realities brought on by the pandemic – reduced revenues in many business areas, increased costs of doing business remotely, shortages of workers in healthcare, the growing threats of cyber-attacks throughout business, industry, and society. The Choose Ohio First scholars are filling this void right now.”
COF awards range from $1,500 to $2,250 per two-semester academic year and will help over 538 students over the next five years.
“Choose Ohio First provides an excellent opportunity for those students who stay in Ohio and continue their education to get the skills they need to succeed in promising career fields,” Ohio Department of Higher Education Chancellor Randy Gardner said.
The Choose Ohio First scholarship program began in 2008 to increase the number of Ohio students enrolling in and completing STEMM programs at Ohio’s public and independent colleges and universities. North Central State College has been awarding Choose Ohio First Scholarships to students since 2010.