by Halle Johnson, Student Public Relations Writer
Freshmen students pursuing degrees in STEMM-related academic programs at Cedarville University now have a new avenue to receive scholarships.
Six additional majors are now included in the Choose Ohio First grant program. Until this year, only students pursuing degrees in computer science and computer engineering were afforded the opportunity to receive Choose Ohio First scholarships. Now, students interested in cyber operations, nursing, environmental science, mathematics, pharmaceutical science, and physics are eligible for the Ohio-funded aid.
The Choose Ohio First grant is a state-sponsored scholarship program working to strengthen Ohio’s future in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM) by providing grants to universities within Ohio for students from Ohio.
Dr. Seth Hamman, associate professor of cyber operations and computer science and program director for Choose Ohio First at Cedarville, is particularly excited about the inclusion of cyber operations this year. “Our cyber operations major is unique in the state of Ohio, so it is nice to give incoming students an extra incentive to enroll,” said Hamman. “This is an opportunity for growth within newer majors at Cedarville.”
Cedarville’s newest Choose Ohio First award went into effect in the fall 2021 semester and will continue for five years. In addition to six new majors being eligible, meaningful work-based learning experiences will be made available to every Choose Ohio First scholar.
“Work-based learning experiences are an important part of the educational experience,” said Hamman. “We have partnered with local companies and with the university to make internship opportunities available to every scholar.”
To be eligible for the scholarship, students must be from Ohio, enrolled in one of the eight majors currently included at Cedarville and fulfill grade point average and standardized testing requirements. Need is also considered. The awards are offered prior to enrollment at the university. By reducing the total costs of attendance, students may decide to enroll at Cedarville instead of at a similar university outside the state of Ohio.
“Every penny of the grant money goes to students, and Cedarville matches the funds we receive from the state,” said Hamman. “Scholarships go up to $4,500 per academic year for all four years, so it is a substantial award. We currently have 27 students receiving this scholarship. They make the Cedarville educational experience accessible to more students which is wonderful.”
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 4,715 undergraduate, graduate, and online students in more than 150 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is one of the largest private universities in Ohio, recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs — including the Bachelor of Science in cyber operations, Bachelor of Science in computer science, Bachelor of Science in computer engineering, Bachelor of Science in nursing, Bachelor of Science in pre-pharmaceutical science, Bachelor of Science in environmental science , Bachelor of Science in mathematics, and Bachelor of Science in physics — strong graduation, and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings, and high student engagement ranking. For more information about the University, visit cedarville.edu.