The Ohio Department of Higher Education awarded The University of Toledo a five-year, $823,200 grant through the Choose Ohio First program to provide scholarships to students pursuing pharmaceutical sciences, engineering technology and actuarial sciences, a field that assesses financial risks in the insurance and finance fields using mathematical and statistical methods.

Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted and Ohio Department of Higher Education Chancellor Randy Gardner announced this week nearly $28 million for 45 colleges and universities across the state to boost Ohio’s efforts to strengthen the state’s workforce in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) while supporting an estimated 3,400 Ohio students.

“The University of Toledo is proud to offer these important degree programs that students are excited to study and that will prepare them for the jobs Ohio needs to continue to grow and thrive,” UToledo President Gregory Postel said. “We are excited about the additional opportunities the Choose Ohio First scholarships will provide for Rockets.”

“We are fighting for and winning some of the largest economic development projects in the country, but we need to be able to supply companies with an educated, trained workforce,” Husted said. “Choose Ohio First scholarships help keep our kids and grandkids right here in Ohio to further their education in STEM without racking up student loan debt.”

In addition to receiving a renewable scholarship, students in the program will be prepared to apply their expertise to high-demand industry jobs through connections with industry professionals, internships and co-ops relevant to their academic discipline, and participation in professional development seminars.

UToledo has participated in the Choose Ohio First Scholarship Program since it began in 2008 to increase the number of Ohio students enrolling in and successfully completing science, technology, engineering, math and medicine programs at Ohio’s public and independent colleges and universities.

“I commend the DeWine-Husted Administration for continuing to grow the Choose Ohio First program as those colleges and universities new to the program see its benefits,” Gardner said. “This funding exemplifies the state’s ongoing commitment to preparing students for successful careers in the STEM fields while meeting the growing demand for a STEM workforce across the state.”