Choose Ohio First STEM Scholars Program

The Baldwin Wallace University STEM Scholars program is an innovative, proven program that prepares students for successful careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

BW's STEM Scholars receive holistic support and are twice as likely to graduate with a bachelor's degree in a STEM major and do so within four years.

In addition to scholarships for first-year and transfer students, this initiative provides financial support for students in healthcare-specific post-baccalaureate and graduate programs.

Choose Ohio First Scholarship

The Choose Ohio First Scholarship is designed to significantly strengthen Ohio's competitiveness within science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines, as well as STEM education and healthcare fields.

Choose Ohio First Scholarships at BW

BW awards substantial Choose Ohio First Scholarships, in keeping with the State's goal of improving access to higher education. BW students who are awarded a Choose Ohio First Scholarship are automatically granted membership in BW’s STEM Scholars program.

Designated Choose Ohio First programs:

Integrate with regional economies and meet statewide educational needs.
Facilitate the completion of baccalaureate degrees in cost-effective manners.
Recruit underrepresented STEM student groups including women and students of color.

Choose Ohio First funds higher education and business collaborations that will have the most impact on Ohio's position in world markets such as aerospace, medicine, computer technology, and alternative energy. These collaborations will ultimately produce substantive improvements to the pipeline of STEM graduates and STEM educators in Ohio. Choose Ohio First is part of a strategic effort to bolster Ohio's economic strength by ensuring a ready workforce for STEM-related industries.

Benefits of BW STEM and Becoming a STEM Scholar

Why BW STEM?

Round-the-clock access to bench space and equipment offers remarkable laboratory and research experiences.
The BW cadaver lab offers a hands-on approach that gives students a distinctive advantage when applying to professional and graduate schools.
BW’s neuroscience program, an interdisciplinary study unifying biology, psychology and chemistry, has been recognized by the International Society for Neuroscience.
Computer science students often secure internships as soon as the summer following their first year at BW.
Academic student organizations in all STEM-related areas provide social support, career related experiences, and opportunities to learn from professionals and alumni.
Faculty members are committed to engaging students directly in significant research projects.

Why Become a STEM Scholar?

BW STEM Scholars:

Join a supportive community of STEM students with similar interests.
Receive one-on-one support from a STEM success coach.
Develop valuable professional and social connections.
Engage in work-based learning experiences such as internships, research projects, job shadowing or other interactions with STEM professionals in workplace settings.
Work with a STEM success coach to identify and apply for scholarships.
Participate in exclusive STEM programming based on students’ interests.
Receive priority consideration for the STEM Living Learning Community in North Hall.
Enjoy priority class registration times each semester, ensuring first choice of available courses from the class schedule.
Maintain good academic standing and earn a satisfactory GPA (at least a 3.0 GPA for freshmen).
Are twice as likely to graduate with a STEM degree in four years.

Apply for Choose Ohio First Scholarships

First-Year Students

The Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) has granted Baldwin Wallace University funds to award annual, renewable Choose Ohio First scholarships of up to $6,500.

Applicants must be Ohio residents with a minimum high school GPA of 3.0 and plan to begin their enrollment at BW in fall 2025 (full-time or part-time), pursuing one of the following majors:

Biology, chemistry, communication sciences and disorders, community health education promotion, computer science, cybersecurity analyst, data analytics, data science, engineering, environmental science, exercise science, mathematics, neuroscience, nursing, physics, pre-allied health/pre-physical therapy, primary healthcare advancement program (PHAP) and software engineering.

Applications are available and will be accepted beginning December 1, 2024.

Complete applications are reviewed after the closing dates: the priority consideration deadline is February 1, 2025, and the final deadline is March 15, 2025.

Women, first-generation students, economically disadvantaged, or historically underrepresented minorities are highly encouraged to apply.

Transfer Students

The Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) has granted Baldwin Wallace University funds to award annual, renewable Choose Ohio First scholarships of up to $6,500.

Applicants must be Ohio residents with a minimum college GPA of 3.0 who plan to transfer to BW and begin their enrollment in fall 2025, pursuing one of the following majors:

Biology, chemistry, communication sciences and disorders, community health education promotion, computer science, cybersecurity analyst, data analytics, data science, engineering, environmental science, exercise science, mathematics, neuroscience, nursing, physics, pre-allied health/pre-physical therapy, primary healthcare advancement program (PHAP) and software engineering.

Applications are available and will be accepted beginning December 1, 2024.

Complete applications are reviewed after the closing dates: the priority consideration deadline is May 15, 2025, and the final deadline is June 15, 2025.

Women, first-generation students, economically disadvantaged, or historically underrepresented minorities are highly encouraged to apply.

Post-Baccalaureate and Graduate Students

The Ohio Department of Education (ODHE) has granted Baldwin Wallace University funds to award annual, renewable Choose Ohio First scholarships of up to $8,000.

Applicants must be Ohio residents who plan to begin their enrollment in summer or fall 2025 and who possess appropriate credentials to pursue one of the following healthcare programs:

Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Master’s Programs: Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Physician Assistant or Speech-Language Pathology.

Applications are available and will be accepted beginning January 1, 2025.

Complete applications are reviewed after the closing dates: the priority consideration deadline is April 1, 2025, and the final deadline is June 15, 2025.

First generation, economically disadvantaged or traditionally underrepresented students are highly encouraged to apply.

Contact Us

Please contact us to learn more about the BW STEM Scholars program:

Katie Adkins, M.Ed.
Director, BW Choose Ohio First STEM Scholars Program
stem@bw.edu, (440) 826-3408

Alumni Success

Givaughna Garrett '20 is pursuing a M.S. in Nursing at Case Western Reserve University. As a STEM Scholar, she met with a success coach to identify challenges and goals, served as a STEM Scholars Peer Mentor, attended NASA's Space Center U, and completed a neuroscience lab internship at Cleveland Clinic. She earned a biology degree with a neuroscience minor.