More than 12% of Oklahomans are currently paying off their college education — racking up $16.4 billion in total student loan debt. The Tulsa Flyer has compiled a list of Oklahoma-specific scholarships and grants to help students and their families avoid additional borrowing costs.
Statewide programs included with FAFSA form
There are a variety of large state funds that become accessible just by completing your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Apply early if interested in these programs, as many receive more eligible applications than can be awarded.
Oklahoma’s Promise: This program covers tuition for an Oklahoma resident at any public university or college in the state for up to five years, until the completion of a bachelor’s degree — or a portion of tuition at a private college that’s not eligible for federal aid. To be eligible, students must enroll in the program sometime between 8th and 11th grades, file a FAFSA, pass required courses with at least a 2.5 GPA (and maintain the same GPA overall), and demonstrate parent income of less than $60,000 to $80,000 annually, depending on the number of dependent children.
Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant Program (OTAG): The OTAG is a need-based grant program for Oklahoma residents who attend approved in-state schools, full-or part-time. The maximum annual award is either 75% of enrollment costs or up to $1,500 at eligible community college and career technology centers, up to $2,000 at regional universities and up to $3,000 at research universities.
Oklahoma Tuition Equalization Grant (OTEG): The OTEG is a need-based grant program for Oklahoma residents who attend in-state not-for-profit or private schools. To be eligible, a student must have a family income of $50,000 or less and financial need unmet by the college. The annual award is $2,000.
Tulsa scholarships
There are countless scholarship programs available to students with ties to Tulsa. For more not listed here, visit the Tulsa Higher Education Consortium’s website for over 70 options. The majority of scholarships listed open Oct. 1 every year, and close by the end of March.
Tulsa Community College: Tulsa Achieves covers up to 100% of tuition for Tulsa County high school graduates. If you graduated with a 2.0 GPA, you’re eligible for funds based on the number of years you attended high school in the county. The new Tulsa Advantage Scholarship applies the same eligibility to graduates of Broken Arrow High School, Charles Page High School, Jenks High School and Sapulpa High School — covering tuition for one year. For both scholarships, just apply to TCC, submit the FAFSA form and complete the necessary forms from TCC to confirm your eligibility.
Tulsa Community Foundation: TCF provides approximately $20 million in educational aid every year, across over 30 different scholarships. Get support for everything from music education to engineering degrees, or cash in based on your home church, employer or high school. The application period for most TCF scholarships opens in mid-February and closes by the end of March.
Tulsa Reconciliation Education and Scholarship Program: Tulsa Public Schools students with “direct lineal descendancy” from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre who are enrolling in an Oklahoma school are eligible for this scholarship. You must also have a family income not exceeding $70,000; have attended a TPS school where 75% of students qualify for free and reduced lunch; or live in a census block where 30% or more of the residents are at or below the poverty level. Applications open in the early spring and close by July 1.
Junior League of Tulsa: JLT awards $10,000 each year across four scholarship programs for “outstanding women” in Tulsa. Applications for the Founders’ and Mrs. W. Albert Cook Scholarships must be submitted by mid-January each year, with interviews in February.
First Tee Tulsa: The Jo Bob Hille Memorial Scholarship awards up to $10,000 to one student annually. Eligibility is based on participation in the First Tee — Tulsa program, an essay, two recommendation letters, financial need and a dedication to civic engagement.
Tulsa County Bar Foundation Law School Scholarship: The TCBF scholarship program supports law students with a “significant connection” to Tulsa County entering their first year of school. It awards up to $2,500 per individual per year, provided that a student achieved undergraduate grades in the top 50% of their class and has LSAT scores in the top 50% of the testing pool. Applications are due each June.
Tulsa County Medical Society Foundation: The TCMS scholarship awards grant a total of $32,500 annually across a variety of scholarships. To be eligible, students must be in good standing and enrolled in their second, third or fourth year at OU School of Community Medicine-Tulsa or OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine-Tulsa. Applications must be received by the end of August each year.
Tribal nation scholarships
Cherokee Nation:
- The Undergraduate Scholarship Program provides funds for Cherokee Nation citizens pursuing associate or bachelor’s degree. Applicants must first apply for federal financial aid before applying. Students whose permanent address is outside the Cherokee Nation Reservation area or contiguous counties — which includes Tulsa — must be eligible for the federal Pell Grant to be considered. Applications open in March and close each year in June.
- The At Large Undergraduate Scholarship provides funds for Cherokee Nation citizens living anywhere in the U.S. pursuing an associate or bachelor’s degree. Applicants must first apply for federal financial aid before applying. Students whose permanent address is outside the Cherokee Nation Reservation area or contiguous counties — which includes Tulsa — must be eligible for the federal Pell Grant to be considered. Applications open in March and close each year in June.
- The Graduate Scholarship Program provides funds for Cherokee Nation citizens pursuing a master’s or doctorate degree. Recipients must have a permanent address inside the Cherokee Nation Reservation area or contiguous counties — which includes Tulsa. Applications open in March and close each year in June.
Muscogee (Creek) Nation: Nine general scholarships and nearly 30 restricted scholarships are offered each term by the Creek Nation Foundation. All scholarships require a citizenship ID card, a personal essay, educational records and any additional documents required (in the case of a restricted scholarship). Students may submit one application per semester.
Osage Nation: The Osage Nation Higher Education Scholarship Program offers eight scholarship programs, supporting a wide range of educational choices, many of which are awarded to several Osage students each year. Students may not simultaneously receive the Career Training and Higher Education scholarships. The annual qualifying application opens May 1 each year.
Career and military scholarships
Oklahoma Oil & Natural Gas: Up to $500,000 is awarded to undergraduate students majoring in petroleum-related fields at the University of Oklahoma, the University of Tulsa and Oklahoma State University. OERB Petroleum Scholars may be awarded up to $22,500 in scholarships throughout college through this program. Applications open Nov. 1 and close March 1 annually.
Inspired to Teach: Students pursuing a career in teaching through an undergraduate program leading to a standard Oklahoma teaching certificate are eligible for this scholarship. Prior to entry, the student must agree to teach in an Oklahoma public pre-K-12 school for a minimum of five consecutive years upon graduation and licensure. Eligible participants will receive up to $4,000 after each year of teaching for up to five years. Applicants must apply through their institution’s Inspired to Teach program coordinator.
Oklahoma National Guard Educational Assistance Program: Established in 2022, this program supports members of the state National Guard attending an Oklahoma public college or university by covering tuition and fees for undergraduates and graduate students. Applications must be submitted to the Educational Service Office of the Military Department by Jan. 31 for spring semesters and Aug. 31 for fall semesters.
Heroes Promise: This scholarship pays tuition, in full, for children of Oklahoma military personnel killed in the line of duty in any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces after Jan. 1, 2000. Students must enroll with the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education prior to turning 21.
Find more scholarships
Many other programs for Oklahoma students can be found through the Oklahoma College Assistance Program database of more than 20,000 scholarships. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education also recommend these websites in its Counselors’ Resource Book:
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