Choose Ohio First Scholarships

Tri-C is a partner with the Ohio Department of Higher Education in supporting students who are committed to majors in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, or Medical/Health Career (STEMM) related majors.  Choose Ohio First (COF) Program scholarships are awarded at Tri-C on a competitive application basis, and may be renewed until graduation. Scholarship recipients are required to participate in a variety of activities that promote creativity, collaboration, self-confidence and degree completion; a COF student’s specific activities are determined in collaboration with her/his faculty mentor. All Tri-C students meeting the COF eligibility requirements may apply for a COF scholarship, but students in underrepresented populations are especially encouraged to apply.  COF program admission is limited to the Fall semester; program rules do not permit Spring semester admissions.

Eligibility Requirements

For consideration in this program, an applicant must be entering Cuyahoga Community College for the first time (see College Credit Plus exception below) and meet all of the following criteria:

• An Ohio resident with the current legal status to remain permanently in the United States;
• New Tri-C Student status as of the first term in the COF program (for College Credit Plus (CCP) students, first term at Tri-C since graduating from high school);
• Cumulative 3.00 grade point average (GPA) or higher on a 4.00 GPA scale, based on either high school or transfer transcript (Tri-C transcript for former Tri-C CCP students);
• Enrolled in at least 6 credits of college-level (1000-level or higher) classes relevant to the student’s academic plan for degree attainment during each semester of participation;
• Declared major in an approved STEMM discipline – questions about eligible majors may be directed to Mr. Herbert Mausser, (216) 987-4660 or Herbert.Mausser@tri-c.edu.
• Available to attend and participate in Choose Ohio First activities.

Application

Interested students must complete the Tri-C General Scholarship application, as well as submit the following to a COF program coordinator listed below:

• Applicable high school and/or transfer transcript (unofficial transcript is acceptable);
• A personal statement (no more than 250 words) describing (1) What do you hope to gain from participating in the program; (2) why have you chosen your particular major; and (3) how might the COF experience and scholarship help you in your field of study or future career?;
• One letter of endorsement from a college or high school instructor, preferably in a science, technology, engineering, mathematics or medical (STEMM) discipline.

Eastern Campus
Mr. Bassem Al-Kaimari
Associate Professor of Biology
ESS 232-B
Bassem.Al-Kaimari@tri-c.edu

Metropolitan Campus
Dr. Pamela Ellison
Associate Dean of Business and Math
MBA 223
Pamela.Ellison@tri-c.edu

Metropolitan Campus / College Pathway Programs
Mr. Kenneth Hale
Director of Access and Community Engagement - Early College & Outreach Programs
MLA 301B
Kenneth.Hale@tri-c.edu

Western Campus
Dr. Geza Varhegyi
Assistant Professor of Biology
WHCS 107
Geza.Varhegyi@tri-c.edu

Westshore Campus
Mr. Robert Searson
Dean of Learning & Engagement
Room 226D
Robert.Searson@tri-c.edu

College-Wide for IT
Dr. Charles Dull
Associate Dean for IT
216-987-4677
charles.dull@tri-c.edu 

Michelle Boross
Coordinator, IT 
216-987-4113
michelle.boross@tri-c.edu