The State Regents Workforce Ready Scholarship was established by
the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to support Oklahoma
residents pursuing education and training in high-demand workforce
fields.
The program is designed to reduce financial barriers to higher
education, support student success, and prepare learners for
meaningful careers that strengthen Oklahoma's communities and
workforce.
Eligibility
In order to qualify for the State Regents Workforce Ready
Scholarship, applicants must:
- Be an Oklahoma resident enrolled at a public college or
university within the Oklahoma state system.
- Be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student (minimum of 12
credit hours per semester) at an accredited public institution in
Oklahoma.
- Under exceptional circumstances, applicants may seek an
exemption from full-time enrollment, provided the applicant has
enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours. Such an exemption must be
based on unforeseen factors including employment obligations,
caregiving responsibilities, disability, or other well-documented
and substantiated conditions, consistent with applicable federal
and state law. The State Regents will evaluate exemption requests
and may grant approval on either a semester-by-semester basis or
until the applicant returns to full-time enrollment.
- Be enrolled in a degree-seeking academic program aligned with a
high-demand occupation or an emerging, high-demand field with
projected job growth, as defined by the State Regents.
- Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of
2.0.
- Complete a work-based learning experience, defined by the State
Regents as a planned and structured learning experience that
provides real-life or simulated work opportunities allowing
students to develop and apply academic, technical, and essential
skills. Qualifying experiences may include, but are not limited to:
- Apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship
- Clinical experience
- Cooperative education
- Externship, fellowship, or internship
- Job shadowing
- Practicum or residency
- Service learning
- Work-based simulations
Application Process
Eligible students must submit a complete application through the
designated application process by the published deadline. A
complete application includes:
- A Career Pathway portfolio documenting participation in a
qualifying work-based learning experience, as defined by the
Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.
- A career pathway portfolio could include a partnership
agreement or contract, student placement documentation, training
plans, project notes, photos, and/or other proof of an existing
working relationship. Applicants are encouraged to creatively
demonstrate their career pathway portfolio.
- Documentation demonstrating alignment with a high-demand
occupation. Acceptable documentation may include:
- A letter of support from a career services professional,
faculty advisor, or business or industry advisor.
- An official academic transcript.
Applications are evaluated through a blind review process
conducted by volunteer members of the State Regents' Economic
Development Council. Applicants may be contacted via the email
provided in their application if additional documentation is
required.
Click here to apply for the State Regents
Workforce Ready Scholarship.
Scholarship Selection and Award Notification
Recipients are selected during the spring semester and receive
their award in the following fall semester, provided all
eligibility requirements continue to be met. Award notifications
are sent to applicants and institutions by the end of January, with
scholarship payments made directly to institutional financial aid
offices in the fall semester. Scholars are recognized at a State
Regents meeting in March or April.
The State Regents Workforce Ready Scholarship is a one-time,
non-renewable award and may be transferred to another public
institution within the Oklahoma state system. Awards are contingent
upon available funding and legislative appropriation.
Amount of Scholarship
State Regents Workforce Scholars receive a one-time scholarship
to offset the cost of tuition, fees, and books. Award amounts vary
by institution type.
- Research Institutions: $7,000
- Regional Institutions: $5,000
- Two-Year Institutions: $3,000
Funds are paid directly to the institution on behalf of the
student. If the award exceeds the cost of attendance for a single
term, funds may be distributed across two semesters.
Resources and Contact Information
If you have questions or need additional information about the
State Regents Workforce Ready Scholarship, contact:
Dr. Lucia Dickinson
Coordinator for Workforce and Economic Development
Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
Email: ldickinson@osrhe.edu
Phone: 405-225-9180
