Eligibility

The Fine Print! 

To be eligible for the program, candidates wishing to apply must:

  • Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen. As required by the National Science Foundation, [scholars] must be citizens of the United States, nationals of the United States (as defined in section 101(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act), aliens admitted as refugees under section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, or aliens lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence. Please note that Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) individuals are ineligible for support from this [program] unless they meet the requirements listed in the first sentence of this bullet by the time of application (NSF S-STEM Program Solicitation; NSF 21-550).
  • Be eligible for Federal Pell Grant financial assistance. Please complete the FAFSA by the April application deadline to qualify.
  • Have a minimum high school grade point average of 2.5 (out of 4), if you graduated high school in the U.S. in the last two years. Please ensure all academic transcripts have been submitted. Note: If it has been more than two years since you graduated high school, you are applying with a high school equivalency (GED or HiSET), you did not attend high school in the U.S., or your transcripts are unavailable for any reason, you can still qualify for the program by providing an extra reference letter (that is, submit at least three letters instead of two).
  • Select an eligible STEM major. When you apply for admission to Ohio State University, you will be asked to select a major. There are three options that meet this requirement for the OHMS program:
    • Select one of the majors in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) pathway (STEM Pathway Majors);
    • OR, select one of the pre-major programs in Engineering and Technology (students must apply to these majors later), AND enroll in one or more of the following courses: Engineering 1181, Engineering 1182, Math 1172, CSE 1223, Physics 1250;
    • OR, select university exploration – meta-major of science, technology, and environment, AND enroll in one or more of the following courses determined by math placement exam:
        1. Math placement N: Math 1148
        2. Math placement M (or higher): Biology 1113, Chemistry 1210 (or higher), Math 1149 (or higher), Physics 1250 (or higher)
  • Enroll at least half-time (6 credit hours) or more at Ohio State Newark. (Please note that if you want to finish in four years, you will need to average at least 15 credit hours per semester to make that happen.)
  • Agree to attend an immersive research retreat with OHMS Scholars and Mentors shortly before the start of fall classes (travel, room, and board provided by Ohio State Newark). The retreat is a 3-day/2-night event, typically occurring over a weekend in mid-August.
  • Submit two letters of support from at least two STEM teachers and/or mentors who are familiar with your interest in STEM (see the Guide to Letter Writers document). If you are only able to get one letter of support (it happens, we understand), you can make up for it with the personal statement below.
  • Submit a personal statement/letter of introduction (optional but highly recommended). This statement should be typed and not more than 500 words total (approximately one, single spaced, typed page). In it, please explain or describe…
    • Why you selected the major you selected on your application to Ohio State, and/or what your future STEM education/career plans are. Basically, the selection committee is interested in what motivates you to be in STEM?
    • Anything you would like the committee to know that is not likely to be included elsewhere in the application. This could be additional motivations to learn about your major, things that influenced your choice of career path, relevant personal interests that your letter writers don’t know about, etc. It is up to you.
  • Submit a formal application to the Ohio Means Science Scholars Program through the Ohio State Newark Financial Aid office by the April application deadline. (Application)

OHMS Scholars wishing to maintain eligibility must:

  • Remain Federal Pell Grant-eligible. Complete the FAFSA by the April deadline for the incoming cohort (we will check your Pell-eligibility along with new applicants to the program), just before the end of the second semester as an OHMS Scholar.
  • Finish the first year as an OHMS Scholar with an overall GPA greater than (or equal to) 2.3.
  • Finish the first year as an OHMS Scholar with a STEM course GPA greater than (or equal to) 2.7.
  • Attend at least 75% of scheduled OHMS Scholars and OHMS learning community activities.
  • Remain enrolled at least half time at Ohio State Newark (min 6 credit hours), or full time at Ohio State (min 12 credit hours) with a majority of those hours at Ohio State Newark.