Continuing Student Scholarships
Alumni Association Scholarships
Applications are available yearly, beginning in January. The application deadline is in April, posted each year to the application. Late applications are considered, but subject to funding availability.
Estimated Value: $500 to $1,500+ per year.
The University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma Alumni Association oversees more than 100 scholarships established by the generosity of alumni and friends.
Students wishing to apply for an Alumni Association scholarship must complete the application AND provide the necessary materials by the deadline stated on the scholarship application form.
Students must reapply every year for an Alumni Association Scholarship.
All Alumni Association Scholarships are merit awards. They are based on scholastic achievement, character, and leadership potential. There is no need to complete more than one Alumni Association Scholarship application. Once submitted, the Board of Directors Scholarship Committee will determine which applicant best suits each available Alumni Association Scholarship.
IMPORTANT: Priority is given to students who pre-enroll for fall classes and who have complete financial aid packages. Scholarships require a minimum 2.5 GPA and full-time enrollment (12 hours). If this standard is not met, scholarships are forfeited. Exceptions may be made for graduating seniors at the discretion of the USAO Alumni Office. Direct questions regarding Alumni Association Scholarships and applications to usaoalumnioffice@usao.edu
Betty Baker Jernigan SCholarship
Essay Deadline: February 15th each year to the Financial Aid Office
Value: $1,000 divided between fall and spring
The Betty Baker Jernigan Scholarship is a permanently endowed scholarship offered every year. The application process is open to both continuing and incoming students.
Requirements:
- Must be of good moral character.
- Must be a full-time student making Satisfactory Academic Progress according to USAO policy.
- Open to all majors.
Application:
- Submit a 300-500 word essay addressing the topic: “How is America doing – politically, socially, economically?”. One, two, or all three of the descriptors may be addressed in the essay.
- Essays must be typed and double spaced. Pages of the essay must be identified with only the last four digits of the student ID, not names.
- A separate cover sheet containing name, contact information, and student ID must accompany the essay.
Essays are reviewed by a committee selected by the USAO Foundation, in conjunction with the USAO Director of Financial Aid. The winning essay will be judged for proficiency in written expression, dedication and commitment to citizenship and service, and clarity of thematic development. Winners must consent to sharing their essay with the scholarship benefactors. If the selection committee feels no essay warrants the award, no award will be given.
Foundation Scholarships
Priority Date: June 30th
Estimated Value: $600 to $1,500 per year
Students already degree-seeking at USAO are encouraged to apply each year for scholarships funded by the USAO Foundation. The Foundation has a significant number of scholarships available for continuing full-time students, for a variety of criteria.
Scholarship Information:
- Invitations to apply are sent to student email accounts yearly, when the application is available. These applications are for the next academic year. Applications should be submitted by the priority deadline, as funding is limited. There is no need to submit more than one Foundation Scholarship Application per year.
- The USAO Financial Aid Office will determine which applicant best suits each available Foundation Scholarship. Scholarships are generally added to aid packages beginning in June, with the majority awarded by August.
- Most scholarships require full-time enrollment status and a minimum overall 3.00 GPA. This application is not intended for newly admitted students. Eligible applicants must be degree-seeking in a main USAO campus program for the fall and/or spring term of the previous academic year.
Direct questions regarding Foundation Scholarships and the application to the USAO Financial Aid Office at financialaid@usao.edu. More information on specific USAO Foundation Scholarships is available from the Advancement and Foundation Office, located in the Stevens’ Alumni House. USAO Foundation Scholarship recipients may be contacted regarding correspondence with scholarship donors and attending future recognition events. Activities, correspondence, and interaction with USAO scholarship donors encourages additional funding.
Go to USAO Foundation Scholarship Application
Momentum Scholarship
USAO is proud to announce the Momentum Scholarship, a new performance-based incentive designed to reward outstanding full-time undergraduate students for their hard work. Unlike many traditional scholarships that look at overall GPA, the Momentum Scholarship focuses on term GPAs each fall and spring, providing more opportunities to earn financial rewards.
How It Works:
- No Application Needed: Potential scholarship eligibility is automatically determined based on performance. USAO Financial Aid will automatically add this scholarship to the aid packages of qualifying students. Fall awards will be added by August 1, spring awards will be added by January 15.
- President’s Award: Students with a 75 – 4.00 term GPAmay receive up to $1,000 toward their next fall or spring block-rate tuition.
- Dean’s Award: Students with a 25 – 3.74 term GPAmay receive up to $750 toward their next fall or spring block-rate tuition.
Key Details:
Eligibility:
- Successful completion of 12 credit hours of USAO coursework is required for the previous two consecutive fall and spring terms. Other credits such as AP, CLEP, transfer, etc. do not count toward this requirement.
- Full-time enrollment in a minimum of 12 USAO credit hours is required to receive the award in terms of eligibility.
- The term of eligibility must be the next consecutive fall or spring term. Leave of absence in the fall and/or spring term(s) will restart the completion requirement.
- This scholarship is available to residents and non-residents, including international students.
- Exceptions may be reviewed for extenuating circumstances on a case-by-case basis by the Financial Aid Appeals Committee. Extenuating circumstances may include, but are not limited to, graduating seniors who do not need full time enrollment, study abroad, leave of absence for medical or family emergencies, etc. See the Scholarship Exception Form for more information.
- Grade changes for USAO coursework are reviewed on a regular basis by the USAO Financial Aid Office. Changes to Momentum Scholarship eligibility due to a grade change may be considered.
Exclusions:
- Students must be degree-seeking in main USAO campus programs only. OCCC, online, and non-degree students do not qualify for this program; additionally, non-degree and non-main campus student hours do not apply toward the previous two-term full-time requirement.
- Students receiving a full tuition waiver from another scholarship source are automatically excluded.
- Available to USAO undergraduates only. Eligible students must not already hold a bachelor's degree.
Last-Dollar Funding: This is a "last-dollar" scholarship intended to assist covering out-of-pocket block-rate tuition costs only. Other gift aid is included in the final determination of eligibility. Gift aid includes all institutional and outside scholarships and federal, state, and tribal grants. If the source of other gift aid is explicitly designed to go to another billing element, such as housing, that source may be excluded in the determination. Otherwise, if the total of all gift aid in the aid package is equal to or greater than the cost of block-rate tuition, the Momentum Scholarship will be removed or reduced. Adjustments will be made as necessary.