ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Belmont College announced that Luke Merritt of Flushing has been awarded the Choose Ohio First Scholarship.

Choose Ohio First funds higher education and business collaborations that will have the most impact on Ohio’s position in world markets such as aerospace, medicine, computer technology and alternative energy. These collaborations will ultimately produce substantive improvements to the pipeline of science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine graduates and STEMM educators in Ohio. Choose Ohio First is part of a strategic effort to bolster Ohio’s economic strength by ensuring a ready workforce for STEMM-Related industries.

Merritt is a first-year student majoring in heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration.

This is currently the largest scholarship that Belmont College awards and it is renewable for up to three consecutive years or until the student completes his/her program of study.

To be eligible for the Choose Ohio First Scholarship at Belmont College, a student must be an undergraduate Ohio resident enrolled in full-time or part-time study. Students must be a first-year student (first time degree-seeking at Belmont), maintain a 3.0 GPA and be enrolled in a STEMM major.