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 scholarship criteria best fits each applicant.
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 for graduating seniors.) 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.
The winning essay will be judged by the selection committee for proficiency in written expression, dedication to a 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.
Charles Redman Jones Scholarship
Applications available in January | Deadline is in April
Applications are submitted to the Financial Aid Office.
Requirements:
- Open to any major, preference given to social science and humanities.
- Minimum GPA of 2.75.
- Must be sophomore or above.
- The student must demonstrate financial need.
- The student must demonstrate a desire to engage in human rights issues.
- Scholarship awardees must agree to engage in community services outside of the university or with the Fisher Center for Social Justice and Racial Healing.
- If applying for internship stipend assistance, student must have a non-paid internship at a non-profit that addresses human rights issues.
Application:
- Submit a cover letter indicating intent to apply. Include name, last four digits of student ID and contact information.
- Submit letter of recommendation, resume, and a 1-2 page essay that explores personal interest in human rights issues. ONLY include last four digits of student ID on these three requirements.
Charles Redman Jones Internship Scholarship
The Dr. Ada Lois Fisher Center for Social Justice and Racial Healing seeks to assist USAO students who are committed to learning about issues of social justice and have obtained unpaid internships at organizations dedicated to social justice concerns. Immigration, criminal justice reform, race-relations, women’s health and safety, education equity, minority concerns are a few of the social justice issues supported by the Charles Redman Jones Internship Stipend.
Four stipend awards of $500.00 will be granted each year on a competitive basis.
Applications are submitted to the Financial Aid Office.
Requirements:
- Must be a junior or senior.
- Minimum GPA of 2.75.
- Internship must be secured to apply. Preference is given to non-profit organizations.
- Interested students must submit a resume, unofficial transcript, profile of organization hosting internship, a letter from the host institution acknowledging internship, description of duties to be performed at host organization, and a statement about how this experience will enhance student understanding of social justice issues and/or promote racial healing.
- Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the academic year.
- Applications must be turned in by the end of the add/drop period for the term the internship credit is being awarded.
Foundation Scholarships
This scholarship is closed, watch for it to re-open for 2025-2026 later this fall.
Priority Date: June 30th
Estimated Value: $500 to $1,400 per year
All students currently attending 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:
- Instructions on how 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 as early as possible, as funding is limited. There is no need to submit more than one Foundation Scholarship Application per year. Applications are reviewed for which scholarship criteria best fits each applicant.
- For fall 2024, complete the Foundation Scholarship Application. After submission, the application data is reviewed. Scholarships are generally added to aid packages beginning in May, with the majority awarded by August.
- Resumes are encouraged and may be uploaded with the form, or submitted to financialaid@usao.edu, after the submission of the Foundation Scholarship Application. Be sure to state the purpose of the resume submission.
- Most scholarships require full-time enrollment status.
- Most scholarships require a minimum 3.0 college GPA.
Direct questions regarding Foundation Scholarships and applications to the Financial Aid Office at financialaid@usao.edu. More information on specific USAO Foundation Scholarships is available from the University Advancement Office, Troutt Hall 106. The USAO Foundation may contact scholarship recipients regarding correspondence with scholarship donors and future recognition events. Correspondence with the donors helps ensure future funding.