New Choose Ohio First scholarships to support STEM students at Wooster

Awarded by the Ohio Department of Higher Education, The College of Wooster will receive a grant of $1.35 million to support STEM students between 2027 and 2031 through the Choose Ohio First Scholarship program. Designed to strengthen the state’s workforce in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, the four-year scholarships for Ohio residents range from $2,000 – $8,000 and require recipients to participate in a work-based learning opportunity such as a STEM internship, co-op, or research to help them transition effectively to the STEM workforce after graduation.

“The generous financial support from the State of Ohio for these students supports enrollment in Wooster’s exceptional STEM majors and makes their degree more affordable,” President Anne McCall said. “Wooster faculty and staff guide students through real-world learning and mentored-research opportunities in our community and beyond, positioning the College to prepare students for successful careers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and health-related fields.”

Wooster is one of 59 institutions to receive funding from this year’s grants according the May 18 announcement from Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jim Tressel, and Ohio Department of Higher Education Chancellor Mike Duffey. “Ohio’s future depends on preparing more students for the careers that are shaping our economy, and that starts with giving them the chance to pursue high-demand STEM fields,” Governor DeWine said in the announcement. “Choose Ohio First inspires more students to reach their full potential. It helps students discover their passion for opportunities in STEM and graduate ready to start a great career right here in Ohio.”

At Wooster, STEM students engage in an interdisciplinary liberal arts curriculum, adding to their understanding of their field through insights into the arts, humanities, history, and social sciences. Every student participates in Wooster’s signature capstone research program, and more than 78% complete experiential learning opportunities, such as an internships, consulting, or research projects, above and beyond their I.S. Some of the community partners and companies across Ohio where students frequently engage in work-based learning opportunities supported Wooster’s application for the Choose Ohio First Scholarship including Schnieder Electric, Community Action of Wayne and Medina Counties, Wooster Brush Company, Camp Nuhop, and Wooster City School District. Through connections with area employers, Wooster students build their networks and graduate prepared to excel in both advanced study and the modern workforce, where adaptability, communication, and cross‑disciplinary thinking are increasingly essential.

Available to incoming students in 2027-28, Wooster majors supported by the program include biochemistry and molecular biology, biology, chemical physics, chemistry, communication sciences and disorders, computer science, statistical and data sciences, earth sciences, environmental studies, mathematics, neuroscience, and physics, as well as education degrees and certificates with a STEM focus.

Featured image: Majoring in earth sciences and environmental studies Cady Eakins ’25 interned at Akron Cooperative Farms as part of an APEX Fellowship, allowing her to make connections in her community and gain knowledge in agriculture and entomology.

Posted in Homepage Featured, News on May 20, 2026.