Top 14 Oklahoma Scholarships in September 2023

How to win Oklahoma scholarships

From the rolling hills to the bountiful farmland, Oklahoma is the perfect place to continue your educational journey. In order to win Oklahoma scholarships, you need to first and foremost be yourself! This means searching for scholarships that align with your passions and career goals. Once you find these scholarships, you should then respond to scholarship essay questions by detailing how the state of Oklahoma ignited your passion. 

For example, if you grew up on a farm in Oklahoma, it comes as no surprise that you want to pursue agriculture in college or university! Therefore, make it known in your scholarship application that your firsthand experiences growing up in Oklahoma allowed you to realize your agricultural passion. Make sure to emphasize that you wouldn’t be who you are without Oklahoma! 

Connecting your uniqueness to the uniqueness of Oklahoma will make you stand out in Oklahoma scholarship applications. Doing so may just help you win Oklahoma scholarships and live out your career goals and dreams in the Sooner State. 

Writing resources for writing Oklahoma scholarship essays

In order to write a strong Oklahoma scholarship essay, you will need to review how to start a scholarship essay and how to end a scholarship essay. Additionally, looking over some Scholarships360 guides on common scholarship essay prompts and how to write an essay about yourself can ensure that you are prepared for any essay an Oklahoma scholarship may require you to write. Lastly, review the ultimate guide to finding and winning scholarships to make sure you are prepared to win Oklahoma scholarships! 

Oklahoma student debt snapshot

According to the Department of Education, Oklahoma residents owe $15.4 billion in federal student loan debt, with student borrowers owing $31,525 on average – remember this is just in federal loans, these numbers don’t also include private loans! Additionally, 47.3% of student loan borrowers in Oklahoma are under the age of 35. 

As you are starting your higher education journey, remember that scholarships allow students to take less loans. Make sure that you apply to as many as you qualify for. Keep on reading to learn more about merit scholarships from colleges in Oklahoma scholarships, as well as Oklahoma scholarships!

Merit scholarships at Oklahoma colleges and universities

Oklahoma State University

• Eligibility: Incoming freshmen who demonstrate high academic performance, test scores, class rank and strong essay responses 
• Amount: $750 up to full tuition
• Deadline: Admission to Oklahoma State University

University of Oklahoma

• Eligibility: Incoming first-year students who have a high GPA and test scores 
• Amount: $2,000 up to full tuition
• Deadline: Mid December 

The University of Tulsa

• Eligibility: Freshmen who have excelled in the high school classroom based on GPA, high school curriculum and academic accomplishments
• Amount: Varies
• Deadline: Admission to the University of Tulsa 

Oral Roberts University

• Eligibility: Incoming freshmen with a 2.0+ GPA 
• Amount: $6,000 up to $11,000
• Deadline: Admission to Oral Roberts University

Southwestern Oklahoma State University

• Eligibility: Admitted incoming freshmen to Southwestern Oklahoma State University
• Amount: Varies
• Deadline: March 1

East Central University

• Eligibility: Accepted freshmen who demonstrate strong academic performance
• Amount: $1,500 up to full tuition
• Deadline: Feb 1

Oklahoma Baptist University

• Eligibility: Incoming freshmen with strong academic achievement that have a 3.0+ GPA
• Amount: $10,000 up to full tuition 
• Deadline: Admission to Oklahoma Baptist University

Consider in-state tuition and tuition reciprocity 

In-state tuition allows residents of a state to receive cheaper tuition for a college or university in their state. Additionally, many universities and colleges reserve scholarships and financial aid for in-state students, which helps reduce the cost of attending college for those who live there.

Here are a few well-known Oklahoma universities and their in-state vs out-of-state tuition costs:

University of Oklahoma

• In-state tuition: $4,920 
• Out-of-state tuition: $21,486

Oklahoma State University

• In-state tuition: $13,920
• Out-of-state tuition: $29,440

How do you get in-state tuition? 

Being a resident of Oklahoma has many perks including cutting the cost of tuition in half for Oklahoma universities and colleges. In order to gain Oklahoma residency for tuition purposes, you will need to reside in Oklahoma for 12 consecutive months. During this time you can not primarily be a student at a postsecondary institution and you must provide your own financial support. 

Does Oklahoma offer tuition reciprocity? 

Yes, Oklahoma is a participating state in the Southern Regional Education Board which is a tuition reciprocity agreement between select Southern states. Through this agreement, out-of-state students are eligible to receive in-state tuition rates if they are studying a niche program that is unavailable in Oklahoma. However, the exact specifications for this tuition reciprocity vary between institutions so double check with your intended school that you and your intended program qualify! 

Oklahoma scholarship spotlight

Oklahoma State Regents Academic Scholars Program

• Eligibility: Undergraduate pursuing a degree at a college or university in Oklahoma who scored at or above the 99.5 percentile on the ACT or SAT
• Amount: Varies
• Deadline: Mid-April 

Alberta Brannon Memorial Scholarship

• Eligibility: Oklahoma residents with a minimum 3.0 GPA pursuing studies in hospitality, tourism, or related fields
• Amount: Varies
• Deadline: May 1

Oklahoma Association for the Education of Young Children Scholarship

• Eligibility: Undergraduate or graduate at an Oklahoma institution studying fields in early childhood education or childhood development and family studies
• Amount: $2,000
• Deadline: May 1

Oklahoma Academy of Physician Assistants Scholarship

• Eligibility: Physician Assistant student with a minimum 3.0 GPA going into their second year at an Oklahoma PA Program
• Amount: $1,000
• Deadline: February 15 

Ralph Clinton Scholarship

• Eligibility: Enrolled college student pursuing a career or degree in sales and marketing
• Amount: $3,000
• Deadline: March 1

Donna and Harry Kornbaum Scholarship

• Eligibility: Oklahoma high school graduate with a minimum 2.0 GPA attending The University of Oklahoma
• Amount: $3,000
• Deadline: June 1

Nurse Education Program Scholarship

• Eligibility: College sophomore or junior in a Nursing BS program or a practicing RN registered at a college or university in Oklahoma
• Amount: Varies
• Deadline: June 1

Oklahoma Goodwill Industries Abilities Scholarship

• Eligibility: Graduating high school senior in Oklahoma with a disability and a minimum 3.0 GPA 
• Amount: Up to $2,000
• Deadline: March 1

Oklahoma’s Promise Scholarship

• Eligibility: Undergraduate resident of Oklahoma with a household income under $100,000 per year
• Amount: Varies
• Deadline: End of June

ASHRAE Region VIII Scholarship

• Eligibility: Undergraduate pre-engineering or engineering student at an institution in a list of states including Oklahoma
• Amount: $3,000 up to $5,000
• Deadline: December 1

Oklahoma National Guard Educational Assistance Program

• Eligibility: Member of the Oklahoma Army or Air National Guard pursuing an associate’s or bachelor’s degree at an institution in Oklahoma
• Amount: Cost of resident tuition up to 18 credit hours per semester
• Deadline: Varies by semester

KASF Southwestern Regional Chapter Scholarship

• Eligibility: Full-time undergraduate of Korean heritage with a minimum 3.0 GPA at a school in the Southwestern region
• Amount: Varies
• Deadline: June 30

Additional Oklahoma resources

FAFSA Guide

In Oklahoma, students must apply for the FAFSA as soon as possible after it opens (they have “first come, first served” funding). The Oklahoma FAFSA opens on October 1 each year, so make sure you are ready!

Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education

The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education is a website that offers information on scholarships available to Oklahoma residents! They provide valuable details on state-funded scholarships, grants and tuition waivers.

Tulsa Community Foundation

The Tulsa Community Foundation administers numerous scholarships specifically for students living in the Tulsa area. There is an abundance of information about scholarships including application deadlines and requirements.   

Frequently asked questions