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Merit-Based Scholarships & Community Service Scholarships

The Franklin University Undergraduate Scholars Program

The Franklin University 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).

All deadlines for the 2024-25 year have passed. The 2025-26 USA application will be available in early 2025.

Graduate Student Scholarship

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

Current degree-seeking Franklin University 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 Franklin University Scholarships.

For master's degree applicants, a maximum scholarship of $5,000, awarded in increments of $2,500 per year for up to two years can be awarded.

For doctoral degree applicants, a maximum scholarship of $9,000, awarded in increments of $3,000 per year for up to three years can be awarded.

All deadlines for the 2024-25 year have passed. The 2025-26 application will be available in early 2025.

STEM Scholarships

Choose Ohio First Scholarship

Choose Ohio First (COF) is a scholarship program funded by Franklin University 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 STEMM fields and STEMM 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 Franklin University 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 transferring into 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 be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours for fall and 6 credit hours for spring trimesters.
Must 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
Be a new student to Franklin University or a current M.S. student who is transferring into a COF-eligible program of study.
Be a graduate student actively seeking a master’s degree in a COF-eligible program of study.
Maintain an overall 3.0 GPA.
Be enrolled in at least 3 credit hours for fall and 3 credit hours for spring trimesters.
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

AGCNP Certificate
Data Analytics Certificate
Cyber Defense Certificate
Cyber Governance Certificate
FNP Certificate
MSN-Nurse Educator Certificate
PMHNP 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 Health Sciences (Health Education & Promotion)
BS Healthcare Administration
BS Information Systems
BS Information Technology
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)
MSN-AGPCNP
MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner
MSN-Nurse Administrator
MSN-Nurse Educator
MSN-PMHNP
RN-MSN

FAQs

What Franklin academic programs are COF eligible?
Click on the following link to see a list of Choose Ohio First Eligible Credentials & Programs.

How much support does COF provide?
At Franklin University, COF scholarship awards range from $500 for certificate-seeking students and up to $5,250 for degree-seeking students, 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 that 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, working with your faculty mentor, and maintaining the 3.0 GPA requirement, as well as enrollment thresholds (6 credit hours per trimester for UG students and 3 credit hours per semester for master’s students).

Institutional Scholarships

Smart Start Scholarship

The Smart Start Scholarship is an automatic scholarship awarded to new Franklin University 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 Franklin University 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 Franklin University 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 Franklin University 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 Franklin University alumni eligible for the Smart Start Scholarship?

No. The Smart Start Scholarship is for new Franklin University 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.

Scholarship Application and Description

Application Deadline: May 1, 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.

International Education Financial Aid

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

Military.Com Scholarship Finder

Find millions of dollars in scholarships and grants exclusively for members of the military community.

I Know I Can

Find grants, scholarships and other helpful resources for Columbus City School students of all ages.

The Columbus Foundation

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

Scholarship America

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.

Minority Scholarships

A large percentage of the U.S. college population is comprised of minority students from various backgrounds and races, including African Americans, Native Americans, Hispanic and Latinos, Asian and Pacific Islanders, and so forth. To qualify as minority student, you don't need to be a first generation immigrant or the first person in your family to go to college. Specific organizations qualify women or LGBTQ students as minorities.

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.

OFIC Information Release

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“I’m proud to represent the military as a recipient of this scholarship and with the money, I’m earning an education to better the community.”

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“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.”

Erica

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“The scholarship has been a validator for me. I am a leader because of what I do – and the scholarship helps boost my confidence in my ability to lead.”

Rachel

Doctor of Professional Studies-Instructional Design Leadership Student + James E. Guilkey Scholarship Winner

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

Gig

MBA Student, U.S. Army Veteran + Alumni Military Scholarship Winner

“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.”

Franklin University Scholarship Opportunities

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Merit-Based Scholarships & Community Service Scholarships

STEM Scholarships

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