BGSU gets $1.1M grant for student scholarships

HURON TWP. — Bowling Green State University students now have more financial support available to them. The Ohio Department of Higher Education recently gave the university a $1.1 million grant to provide new scholarship opportunities for students in science, technology, engineering, math (STEM) and medicine majors. The grant will provide 25 new scholarships for BGSU students, including those attending BGSU Firelands in Huron Township. A $3,000 scholarship will be offered to selected new, first-time students for the upcoming 2021-22 academic year. Recipients will also receive academic assistance, career counseling and have the opportunity to perform research and related work experience as undergraduates. Students who receive the scholarship can renew it for up to three additional years, or six semesters. The additional funds were received through the Choose Ohio First grant. As part of the grant, the state higher education department distributes funds to increase Ohio's competitiveness in STEM disciplines and education. The state higher education department also aims to impact Ohio's position in world markets, including aerospace, medicine, computer technology, and alternative energy to improve the pipeline of STEM graduates and educators in Ohio. Betsy Johnson, BGSU's director of student financial aid and scholarships, recognizes the benefit that the scholarships will offer. "Because these programs will best address the northwest Ohio workforce needs in STEM fields, we have made an effort to intentionally select students including women and socially disadvantaged individuals," she said. "This scholarship for the 2021-22 school year will go a long way in encouraging and retaining students in STEM majors." The Choose Ohio First scholarship program aims to increase the amount of Ohio students enrolling in and successfully completing STEM programs at Ohio's public and independent colleges and universities. Since 2008, financial assistance has been awarded to more than 500 BGSU students through the state scholarship program. BGSU was one of the first Ohio universities to receive this funding. About 45 colleges and universities in Ohio, including BGSU, received the most recent state grants.