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Merit-Based Scholarships & Community Service Scholarships

The ��app Undergraduate Scholars Program

The ��app Undergraduate Scholars Program offers a variety of scholarships, which are donated or endowed by various individuals and organizations. The requirements are specified by the individual donor or endowment. Scholarship awards range from $500 to $2,000 (based on hours enrolled).

Application Deadline: July 8, 2025

Graduate Student Scholarship

To be considered for this scholarship, you must meet the following minimum requirements:

Current degree-seeking ��app graduate student that has successfully completed at least one trimester with a 3.5 cumulative GPA
Completion and submission of a 1,000 word essay. Prompt is listed on the application.
Recipients must maintain a 3.5 GPA and must be enrolled for at least 2 of the 3 terms per year.
This scholarship cannot be combined with any other ��app Scholarships.

For master's degree applicants, the maximum scholarship is $4,500, awarded in increments of $1,500 for three consecutive semesters.

For doctoral degree applicants, the maximum scholarship is $7,500, awarded in increments of $2,500 for three consecutive semesters.

Application Deadline: July 8, 2025

STEM Scholarships

Choose Ohio First Scholarship

Choose Ohio First (COF) is a scholarship program funded by ��app and the Ohio Department of Higher Education that supports undergraduate and qualifying graduate students interested in pursuing a degree/credential in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, nursing or healthcare. The goal of COF is to increase Ohio’s competitiveness in STEM fields and STEM education.

Undergraduate Eligibility

To be eligible for a COF scholarship at the undergraduate level, candidates must:

Be an Ohio resident (current resident of a least one year or graduate of an Ohio high school).
Be a new student to ��app actively seeking an approved undergraduate credential (certificate, AAS, AS, or BS degree) in a COF-eligible program of study or a current student who is switching to a COF-eligible program of study.*
Must have a high school GPA of 3.0 or a cumulative 3.0 GPA through other institutions, ACT score of 25 or higher, or SAT score of 1200 or higher.
Must maintain an overall 3.0 GPA.
Must maintain at least half-time status in ��app coursework for at least 2 trimesters per academic year.
Agree to provide information about your participation in the COF program.
Have a commitment to completing COF program requirements including participation in university-sponsored COF Scholar events.

* The Choose Ohio First program is only for students pursuing a first time undergraduate (bachelor’s) degree. Post-baccalaureate students are not eligible for this program.

Graduate Eligibility

To be eligible for a COF scholarship at the graduate level, candidates must:

Be an Ohio resident (current resident of a least one year)
Be a new student to ��app actively seeking an approved graduate credential (certificate or MS degree) in a COF-eligible program of study or a current student who is switching to a COF-eligible program of study.
Must have a cumulative 3.0 undergraduate GPA.
Must maintain an overall 3.0 GPA.
Must maintain at least half-time status in ��app coursework for at least 2 trimesters per academic year.
Agree to provide information about your participation in the Choose Ohio First program.
Have a commitment to completing COF program requirements including participation in university-sponsored COF Scholar events.

Eligible Programs of Study

Certificates

Nurse Practitioner: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Post-Graduate Certificate
Data Analytics Graduate Certificate
Cyber Defense Graduate Certificate
Cyber Governance Graduate Certificate
Nurse Practitioner: Family Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate
Nurse Educator Graduate Certificate
Nurse Practitioner: Psychiatric Mental Health Post-Graduate Certificate

Associate Degrees

AS Computer Science
AS Cybersecurity
AS Health Services
AS Information Technology

Bachelor's Degrees

BS Analytics
BS Cloud Computing
BS Computer Science
BS Cybersecurity
BS Public Health
BS Healthcare Administration
BS Information Systems
BS Information Technology
BS Management Science (New Program for Fall 2025)
RN-BSN

Master's Degrees

MS Business Analytics
MS Business Psychology
MS Computer Science
MS Cybersecurity
MS Data Analytics
MS Health Informatics
MS Healthcare Administration
MS Information Systems
MS Information Technology
MS Nursing-Generalist
Ms Nursing-Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
MS Nursing-Family Nurse Practitioner
MS Nursing-Nurse Administrator
MS Nursing-Nurse Educator
MS Nursing-Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
MS Psychology (New Program for Fall 2025)

FAQs

How much support does COF provide?
At ��app, COF scholarship awards are $2,500 per term totaling up to $7,500 per academic year.

Can a COF scholarship be combined with other partnership, grant, scholarship, or award programs? 
COF scholarships may be combined with other partnership, grant, scholarship or award programs. Combinable benefits include, but are not limited to, employer-sponsored benefits, free books and fee waivers. Scholarship awards supersede any tuition discount. The ability to combine COF with other funding sources may be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. For more information on this, please consult with Student Financial Services.  

How often can I receive a COF scholarship?
Choose Ohio First scholarships are renewable each year, contingent on continued student eligibility and available state funding.

What are the expectations for a student who is selected to receive a COF scholarship?
Students selected to receive a COF scholarship are expected to show a commitment to completing COF program requirements. Program requirements include attending and participating in university-sponsored COF Scholar events, actively working with your faculty mentor, and maintaining the 3.0 GPA requirement, as well as enrollment thresholds (at least half-time status in ��app coursework for at least 2 trimesters per academic year).

Institutional Scholarships

Smart Start Scholarship

The Smart Start Scholarship is an automatic scholarship awarded to new ��app students in designated academic programs. The tuition-only award is disbursed equally over multiple terms until the maximum amount is met. Students must remain in good financial aid standing and maintain at least half-time enrollment status in an eligible degree program to meet eligibility requirements.

The Smart Start Scholarship is non-refundable and cannot be combined with partnership discounts or other institutional scholarships.

New ��app students in the following programs will be awarded Smart Start Scholarships:

Master of Education in Educational Leadership Higher Education (M.Ed.) ($2,000)
Master of Education in Educational Leadership K-12 Building Level Leadership (M.Ed.) ($2,000)
Master of Education in Educational Leadership Principal Licensure (M.Ed.) ($2,000)
MSN-AGPCNP ($2,000)
M.S. in Cybersecurity ($2,000)
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)-AGPCNP ($2,000)
DNP-FNP ($2,000)
DNP-Leadership ($1,500)
DNP-PMHNP ($2,000)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Smart Start Scholarship?

The Smart Start Scholarship is an automatic scholarship awarded to new ��app students in designated academic programs. The tuition-only award is disbursed equally over multiple terms until the maximum amount is met. Students must remain in good financial aid standing and maintain at least half-time enrollment status in an eligible degree program to meet eligibility requirements. The Smart Start Scholarship is non-refundable and cannot be combined with partnership discounts or other institutional scholarships.

Who qualifies for the Smart Start Scholarship?

New ��app students in the following programs will automatically be awarded the Smart Start Scholarship. There’s no application required.

Master of Education in Educational Leadership Higher Education (M.Ed.) ($2,000)
Master of Education in Educational Leadership K-12 Building Level Leadership (M.Ed.) ($2,000)
Master of Education in Educational Leadership Principal Licensure (M.Ed.) ($2,000)
MSN-AGPCNP ($2,000)
M.S. in Cybersecurity ($2,000)
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)-AGPCNP ($2,000)
DNP-FNP ($2,000)
DNP-Leadership ($1,500)
DNP-PMHNP ($2,000)

Are ��app alumni eligible for the Smart Start Scholarship?

No. The Smart Start Scholarship is for new ��app students; therefore, alumni are not eligible and should consider the Road to Graduate School Scholarship, a scholarship for alumni of undergraduate programs who pursue their first master’s degree with Franklin.

How is the Smart Start Scholarship disbursed?

The award applies to tuition only and is disbursed equally over multiple terms in $1,000 increments until the maximum amount is met.

Can the Smart Start Scholarship be combined with other scholarships?

No. Students cannot receive multiple institutional scholarships. If a student is eligible for multiple institutional scholarships, they will be awarded the one that provides the greatest financial benefit.

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External Scholarships

Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges 2025-26

The Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges works Ohio businesses and nonprofits with provides scholarship opportunities to Ohio residents. To be eligible a student needs to attend full-time and be working on an undergraduate degree. There are multiple scholarships awarded through this application. Awards would start 2025 Fall semester.

Application Deadline: May 1, 2025

Earl F. Morris Endowed Scholarship Program

The Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges, OFIC, is taking applications for the Earl F. Morris Endowed Scholarship which is open to students who will be seniors in the 2025-2026 year and intend to continue studies in law school.

Application Deadline: May 1, 2025

Nordson BUILDS Scholarship Program

The Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges, OFIC, is taking applications for the Nordson BUILDS Scholarship Program which is for students interested in a career in corporate America and/or the manufacturing industry.

Application Deadline: May 15, 2025

Ohio Reach Scholarship

The Ohio Reach scholarship is a $1,000 renewable award given each semester. Students who receive the scholarship may renew it for up to two semesters per year, for up to five years.
Awards can be used to cover tuition and fees, room and board, or books and supplies. In the event these things are covered, students may use funds for other costs associated with
schooling. Award winners will be given information on tax responsibilities at time of award.

Ohio Reach Scholarship Flyer

Scholarship Deadline: May 30, 2025

Scholarship Resources

We want to help make finding your college funding easier, so we compiled this list of college scholarship opportunities, links, and other free resources.

Get information about scholarships, loans, and other programs for International students.

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The Columbus Foundation: Search more than 200 scholarships, check your eligibility, and apply -- all in one place.

Search national scholarships, hear from students who’ve received scholarships, and get access to a variety of free resources,including application tips, a Scholarship Coach Ebook, test preparation, and more.

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OFIC Information Release

If you would like to give permission to the University to release financial aid and student account information to directors, staff or representatives of the Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges, please complete the OFIC Information Release.

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“This scholarship will enable me to finish my MBA, which I plan to use to launch a nonprofit organization that assists veterans with housing and employment.”

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“To receive a scholarship named for someone I admire so much professionally gives me encouragement to persevere on the road to my doctorate.”

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MBA Student + 1902 Scholarship Winner

“Earning my MBA at Franklin is helping me learn the skills I need to help those in the darkest corners of our community come out into the light and live healthy, productive lives.”

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