First Time Freshmen Scholarships
Newly admitted students are automatically evaluated for USAO scholarship eligibility. For best consideration, complete your USAO admissions application by Feb. 1.
First-time freshmen scholarships do not stack, unless otherwise noted. Students are encouraged to apply each spring for continuing student scholarships, available from the USAO Foundation and USAO Alumni Association, in subsequent years.
All scholarships are competitive and may change annually depending upon scholarship funding availability and other institutional factors. Housing portions of scholarships are subject to on-campus room availability and are not guaranteed. Students who do not live in on-campus housing are not eligible for the room portion of scholarship offers.
These scholarships require U.S. citizenship or permanent residency. Oklahoma residency is also required, unless otherwise noted. Recipients must enroll full-time at USAO to receive the scholarship and maintain the specified requirements for renewal. Recipients must also be degree-seeking in main campus USAO degree programs. Some scholarships are limited and they may have a waiting list.
Fully online students do not receive institutional scholarships.
2026-2027 Academic Year
| Scholarship | Amount | Eligibility | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Oklahoma Rising Scholars Award Automatic |
$52,520 total estimated value 8 fall/spring terms: $3,420 block-rate tuition/term, $825 block-rate fees/term, $2,320 housing*/term |
Named a Presidential Scholar by the U.S. Department of Education, named a National Merit Scholar or National Merit Finalist, or 99th percentile on ACT. Apply through Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education website. |
3.25 overall GPA, full-time USAO enrollment each fall and spring, complete minimum 24 credit hours each academic year. Housing scholarship portion not available to OK Rising Scholars transfers from other institutions. |
|
Oklahoma Rising Scholars Award |
$52,520 total estimated value 8 fall/spring terms: $3,420 block-rate tuition/term, $825 block-rate fees/term, $2,320 housing*/term |
30+ ACT or SAT equivalent, OR OR |
3.25 overall GPA, full-time USAO enrollment each fall and spring, complete minimum 24 credit hours each academic year. *Housing scholarship portion not available to OK Rising Scholars transfers from other institutions. |
|
Regional University Baccalaureate Scholarship Limited number available, determined by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education |
$52,520 total estimated value 8 fall/spring terms: $3,420 block-rate tuition/term, $825 block-rate fees/term, $2,320 housing*/term |
30+ ACT/SAT equivalent and preferred minimum 3.50+ GPA on 4.00 scale | 3.25 overall GPA, full-time USAO enrollment each fall and spring, complete minimum 24 credit hours each academic year |
|
Te Ata Scholarship * Scholarship named in honor of Mary Thompson Fisher (Te Ata), Class of 1919 |
$22,000 total estimated value 8 fall/spring terms; $2,000 tuition/term, $750 housing/ term |
3.25 GPA and 26+ ACT/SAT equivalent |
2.70 overall GPA, full-time USAO enrollment each fall and spring, terms of eligibility must be consecutive |
|
Academic Distinction Scholarship |
$16,000 total estimated value 8 fall/spring terms; $1,500 tuition/term, $500 housing/ term |
4.00 GPA or 3.00 GPA and 25+ ACT/SAT equivalent |
2.70 overall GPA, full-time USAO enrollment each fall and spring, terms of eligibility must be consecutive |
|
University Scholarship |
$8,000 total estimated value 8 fall/spring terms; $750 tuition/term, $250 housing/ term |
3.75 GPA or 3.00 GPA and 23-24 ACT/SAT equivalent |
2.70 overall GPA, full-time USAO enrollment each fall and spring, terms of eligibility must be consecutive |
|
Green & Gold Scholarship |
$6,000 total estimated value 8 fall/spring terms; $500 tuition/term, $250 housing/ term |
3.50 GPA or 3.00 GPA and 21-22 ACT/SAT equivalent |
2.70 overall GPA, full-time USAO enrollment each fall and spring, terms of eligibility must be consecutive |
|
Summer Fast Track Scholarship *Available to stack with other fall/spring scholarship programs* |
$9,576 total estimated value 3 summer terms; $3,192 tuition/term estimated value |
Review all information on the Fast Track Scholarship page. Questions? Contact USAO Financial Aid. |
|
|
Drover Difference Scholarship Limited number available |
$10,600 estimated value Up to 8 terms; $825 block-rate fees/term, $500 housing/term |
Eligible for Oklahoma's Promise each term of scholarship Scholarship expires with Oklahoma’s Promise eligibility |
2.70 overall GPA, full-time USAO enrollment each fall and spring, terms of eligibility must be consecutive |
|
Oklahoma Educator Award Scholarship |
$10,000 total estimated value 8 fall/spring terms; $1,000 tuition/term, $250 housing/ term |
Dependent of Oklahoma public school teacher, current employment documentation required |
2.70 overall GPA, full-time USAO enrollment each fall and spring, terms of eligibility must be consecutive, yearly documentation of parents' OK educator status required |
|
Four Year Novikow Music Scholarship Limited number available *Available to non-residents, can stack with non-resident tuition waiver, U.S. citizenship required* |
$27,360 total estimated value 8 fall/spring terms; $3,420 block-rate in-state tuition/term |
Declared Music major, determined through Music Department audition. 3.00 GPA on a 4.00 scale and 20 ACT/SAT equivalent |
3.00 overall GPA, satisfy yearly Music Department participation requirements enroll in 15+ credit hours each fall and spring |
| The Joseph and Marjorie Dougherty Scholarship*** | $4,000/year |
Non-education related recipients: 28+ ACT or SAT equivalent and 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale Education-related recipients: Preference given to 3.5+ GPA on a 4.0 scale and exceptional ACT/SAT score. |
2.75 retention GPA, full-time enrollment each fall and spring, terms of eligibility must be consecutive. |
** Minimum 3.0 High School GPA
*** Limited number of scholarships awarded, depending on funding