The deadline for a popular state scholarship program is quickly approaching for Oklahoma students who just completed eighth, ninth, tenth or 11th grade. This is the final opportunity for students who were 11th-graders in the 2022-23 school year to apply for the program.
June 30 is the last day for those students to enroll in Oklahoma’s Promise, a nationally recognized college access program that allows high school students the opportunity to earn a tuition scholarship that can be used at an Oklahoma college, university or public career technology center. Family income may not exceed the following levels at the time of application: $60,000 for families with one-two dependent children; $70,000, three-four dependent children; or $80,000, five or more dependent children. Special income provisions apply to children adopted from certain court-ordered custody and children in the custody of court-appointed legal guardians.
“We encourage eligible students who just completed eighth through 11th grade to apply for Oklahoma’s Promise today,” said Chancellor Allison D. Garrett. “Since 1992, more than 100,000 Oklahomans have earned the Oklahoma’s Promise scholarship, helping them achieve the dream of higher education at a time when a college degree and an educated workforce have never been more valuable.”
The Oklahoma’s Promise scholarship covers tuition at any public college or university in the state for up to five years until the completion of a bachelor’s degree or a maximum of 129 semester credit hours. It will also pay a portion of the tuition at an accredited Oklahoma private college or at public career technology centers for certain programs that are eligible for federal financial aid. The scholarship amount does not include fees, books, supplies, or room and board.
Students enrolled in Oklahoma’s Promise must attend class regularly, take a 17-unit college preparatory curriculum, pass those courses with at least a 2.50 GPA and earn an overall GPA of at least 2.50 to be eligible for the scholarship. Students must also agree to stay out of serious trouble and avoid drugs and alcohol.
Students must also meet certain income, academic, and conduct requirements while in college or attending a public career technology center to receive and retain the scholarship.
The Oklahoma Legislature created Oklahoma’s Promise in 1992 as an incentive for middle and high school students to commit to academic success and prepare for college. In 2007, the Oklahoma Legislature established a dedicated funding source for the program that has helped ensure scholarships earned by Oklahoma’s Promise students are fully paid each year. An estimated 15,000 students will earn the scholarship in 2023-24.
Oklahoma’s Promise is recognized by many as one of the nation’s best college access programs and is considered a model that emphasizes both academic preparation and financial support for college. For more information about Oklahoma’s Promise or to apply online, visit www.okpromise.org. Information is also available by emailing okpromise@osrhe.edu or calling 800-858-1840.