Oklahoma Promise

Oklahoma’s Promise Scholarship Program

Scholarship program Oklahoma’s Promise started out of an effort to encourage more state families to send their children to college. Enrollment has steadily grown since its inception. Today, Oklahoma’s Promise pays a student’s full tuition to attend a two-year college or four-year university if their family earns $60,000 or under per year and they meet all academic and conduct requirements.

Interested candidates can apply any time they’re enrolled in eighth, ninth, 10th or 11th grade. Once you’re accepted, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education tracks your progress and reviews your family’s income before granting your scholarship to an undergraduate or career-centric program. Learn more about how this program works, how you can participate and how you can apply your award toward your tuition.

About the Oklahoma’s Promise Program

 The state Legislature created the Oklahoma’s Promise scholarship program in 1992 to help more families access higher education opportunities for their children. Formerly known as the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program, Oklahoma’s Promise is administered by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. 

For students accepted, the scholarship pays for your full tuition to attend an in-state university like the University of Central Oklahoma, as long as you fulfill and continue to maintain all requirements. However, realize that the scholarship strictly applies to tuition; fees, room and board and costs related to books and supplies are excluded. Learn more about what the Oklahoma’s Promise scholarship covers. 

For the 2019-20 school year:

• 8,341 students across the state were enrolled in Oklahoma’s Promise;
• 15,344 scholarships totaling $66.7 million were awarded;
• Enrolled students completed high school with at least a 3.39 GPA and earned an average ACT score of 20.2, versus 18.9 for nonparticipants;
• 83% of Oklahoma’s Promise students opted to attend college, with the majority attending a four-year public university like UCO; and,
• Employment rates for Oklahoma’s Promise graduates were 89.2% versus 87.9% for nonparticipating Oklahoma resident graduates. 

Oklahoma’s Promise Requirements

Receiving an Oklahoma’s Promise scholarship is a multi-step process:

1. You have the opportunity to apply starting in eighth grade. Understand all requirements for enrollment.
2. Once enrolled, you’ll maintain your eligibility by taking a 17-course, college-prep sequence through your standard high school requirements. Learn more about all required courses.
3. Your academic progress, conduct and family’s income will be reviewed before you receive your scholarship. Learn more about these factors and what you should expect while still enrolled as a high school student.

• Your family’s federal adjusted gross income must not exceed $60,000, and your parents’ adjusted gross income must not exceed $100,000;
• You must confirm your family’s income by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the deadline;
• You must have earned a minimum 2.5 GPA for all high school courses and a minimum 2.5 GPA for the 17 college prep courses; 
• You must fulfill UCO’s regular admission standards for incoming first-year students; and,
• You must enroll in a secondary education program within three years of completing high school.  

Review all admission requirements for incoming students.

Upon starting your bachelor’s degree at UCO:

• You may receive funds for no more than five years after enrolling at UCO;
• Awards cannot be used for courses taken after you complete your bachelor’s degree;
• You must maintain satisfactory progress in college to keep receiving the award; and,
• You must complete the FAFSA each year to verify your family’s federal adjusted gross income. 

FAQs About the Oklahoma’s Promise Program

How do I get the benefits of the Oklahoma’s Promise scholarship at UCO?

• Complete the approval request form, available from the financial aid office.
• You must meet normal admissions standards for first-time entering students.
• You must be enrolled before the scholarship payment is made.

How will the Oklahoma’s Promise program affect other scholarships?

 Any tuition waiver scholarship awarded will be applied to the student’s account first. The Oklahoma’s Promise scholarship will then cover the remaining tuition cost. The Oklahoma’s Promise award will then convert the tuition waiver amount to cash.

How to Apply to the Oklahoma’s Promise Program

• Apply online.
• Email Oklahoma’s Promise.
• Call the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education at 1-800-858-1840 or 405-225-9152 in Oklahoma City.
• Get an application from your high school counselor.

For additional questions concerning Oklahoma’s Promise, other scholarships or your financial aid package, contact Student Financial Services by email at bursar@uco.edu or by phone at 405-974-2727.