Academic Scholars Program
The Academic Scholars Program, established by the state
Legislature and governor in 1988 and operated by the Oklahoma State
Regents for Higher Education, provides scholarships to academically
outstanding students who attend an Oklahoma college or
university.
Academic Scholars receive a scholarship to help cover the cost
of room, board, tuition, books and incidental fees for up to eight
semesters. The actual value of the scholarship varies based on the
institution the scholar chooses to attend.
This program should not be confused with the Oklahoma State
Department of Education's Oklahoma Academic Scholars. Before the
creation of the Academic Scholars Program, the State Department of
Education had an award called "Oklahoma Academic Scholar." The
student has to meet certain criteria to receive this recognition.
It should be noted that this is a recognition only, not a
scholarship. For more information about the SDE's Academic Scholar
program, visit www.ok.gov/sde/academic-scholar-recognition-program.
Eligibility
Benefits
How to Apply
Program Rules
Forms
Frequently Asked Questions
Annual Reports
Eligibility
To qualify for the Academic Scholars Program, the applicant must
meet the criteria outlined below.
- Oklahoma students can automatically qualify for the program by
achieving designation as a National Merit Scholar, National Merit
Finalist or United States Presidential Scholar or by scoring at or
above the 99.5 percentile on the ACT or SAT (see
How to Apply).
- For fall 2024, the ACT required score is a total sum score of
the ACT skill areas of 137.
- For fall 2024, the SAT required score is a total sum score of
the critical reading and math skill areas of 1530.
- Public colleges and universities may also nominate students
attending their institution for the program based on criteria
established by each institution.
Scholars will continue to receive a scholarship each year if
they:
- Maintain full-time enrollment each semester.
- Complete at least 24 semester credit hours each year
(additional hours required if taking the option of summer
funding).
- Maintain at least a 3.25 cumulative grade point average each
year.
Benefits
Academic Scholars will receive a scholarship to help cover the cost
of room, board, tuition, books and incidental fees for up to eight
semesters.
The amount of the award varies according to the type of
institution the student attends and qualification status. Beginning
fall 2024, the annual scholarship amount for automatic qualifiers
is $6,500 for students who attend the University of Oklahoma,
Oklahoma State University or The University of Tulsa; $5,000 for
students who attend any other Oklahoma four-year public or private
college or university; and $4,500 for students who attend Oklahoma
two-year colleges.
The annual scholarship amount for Institutional Nominees is
$4,000 for students who attend the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma
State University or The University of Tulsa; $3,200 for students
who attend any other Oklahoma four-year public or private college
or university; and $3,000 for students who attend Oklahoma two-year
colleges.
The award amounts may vary from year to year depending upon the
amount of funds available. Payment is made directly to the
institution on the student's behalf. Students who enroll at public
colleges and universities are eligible for a tuition waiver in
addition to the scholarship award noted above.
How to Apply
Oklahoma residents who automatically qualify for the program by
scoring at or above the 99.5 percentile on the ACT or SAT or who
qualify for the program by achieving designation as a National
Merit Scholar, National Merit Finalist or United States
Presidential Scholar should obtain an application from their high
school counselor or click on the link below to download a copy of
the application. Applications are also available by calling the
State Regents student information hotline at 800.858.1840 or
405.225.9239 in Oklahoma
City.
Apply
Now!
Students should complete the application and mail it with
supporting documentation to the State Regents office. State Regents
staff will then review and verify the application and supporting
documentation.
Students who do not automatically qualify should contact their
college or university financial aid office for more information on
the institution's nomination process.
Prior to each semester, the State Regents office will forward a
roster of Academic Scholars to each Oklahoma college and
university. Oklahoma high schools are not notified of scholarship
recipients.
Program Rules
For additional information on the State Regents Academic
Scholars Program, you may download a PDF copy of the program
rules.
Academic Scholars Program Rules Handout (PDF,
149k)
Forms
Completed forms should be submitted to:
Academic Scholars Program
Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
PO Box 108850
Oklahoma City, OK 73101-8850
Leave of Absence
Request (PDF, 71k)
Application (PDF,
348k)
Summer Application (PDF,
22k)
Request for
Transfer of Scholarship Form* (PDF, 44k)
Request for
Transfer Graduate School Form (PDF, 36k)
*Guidelines for scholarship transfer:
- Students receiving the scholarship as an Institutional Nominee
of a two-year college are eligible for transfer to a four-year
public or private Oklahoma institution after completion of an
associate's degree or the accumulation of at least 48 credit hours.
Institutional Nominees of a two-year college must attend the
nominating institution for the first year.
- Students receiving the scholarship as an Institutional Nominee
of a four-year university are eligible for transfer to another
Oklahoma institution after one year of attendance at the nominating
institution.
Annual Reports
2020-21 Annual
Report (PDF, 695k)
2019-20 Annual Report (PDF, 607k)
2018-19 Annual Report (PDF, 481k)
2017-18 Annual Report (PDF, 431k)
2016-17 Annual Report (PDF,
290k)
2015-16 Annual Report (PDF,
490k)
2014-15 Annual Report
(PDF, 381k)
2013-14 Annual Report
(PDF, 505k)
2012-13 Annual
Report (PDF, 450k)
2011-12 Annual
Report (PDF, 116k)
2010-11 Annual
Report (PDF, 182k)
2009-10 Annual
Report (PDF, 123k)
2008-09 Annual
Report (PDF, 132k)
2007-08 Annual
Report (PDF, 404k)
2006-07 Annual
Report (PDF, 254k)
2005-06 Annual
Report (PDF, 330k)
2004-05 Annual
Report (PDF, 328k)
2003-04 Annual
Report (PDF, 374k)
2002-03 Annual
Report (PDF, 684k)
For Further Information
For more information about the Academic Scholars Program, email
lmcmurtrey@osrhe.edu.