Tulsa Reconciliation Education and Scholarship
Program
The intent of the scholarship program is to preserve
awareness of the history and meaning of the tragic events of the
Tulsa Race Massacre in 1921. Applicants should be students whose
character and conduct contribute to greater communication and
understanding between people of diverse backgrounds. Students with
evidence of direct lineal descendancy from the Tulsa Race Massacre
are strongly encouraged to apply.
The program will award scholarships to eligible
participants enrolled in an institution within the Oklahoma State
System of Higher Education, a private institution in Oklahoma, or
an Oklahoma career technology center program.
Scholarship Eligibility Tracks
This scholarship program offers two different eligibility
tracks: General Scholarship Eligibility and High School Scholarship
Eligibility. Both tracks support students enrolled in an eligible
Oklahoma college, university, or career technology center in Fall
2026.
General Scholarship Eligibility
Requirements
To qualify for General Scholarship
eligibility, an applicant shall satisfy the following
criteria:
- The family income of the applicant is not more than
Seventy Thousand Dollars ($70,000.00) per year
- The applicant attended a Tulsa public school where
seventy-five percent (75%) or more of the students enrolled in the
school qualify for the free and reduced lunch program
- The applicant resides in a census block area within the
Tulsa School District where thirty percent (30%) or more of the
residents are at or below the poverty level established by the
United States Bureau of the Census
- Complete Admission Requirements prior to receiving an
award (see below).
In addition, the applicant must retain eligibility while
pursuing the program of higher learning in which enrolled and shall
maintain good academic standing, satisfactory academic progress,
and comply with the standards related to maintenance of
eligibility.
High School Scholarship Eligibility
Requirements
To qualify for High School Scholarship eligibility, an
applicant shall satisfy the following criteria:
- Enrollment in a Tulsa Public School District high
school
- Family household income of $70,000 or less
annually
- Complete Admission Requirements prior to receiving an
award (see below).
High School Award Details
The award for the high school scholarships
shall be limited to a one-year full-time-equivalent period.
Following successful completion
of such award, participants shall be eligible to apply and be
considered for continued participation in the full Tulsa
Reconciliation Education and Scholarship Program if the applicant
meets the General Scholarship Eligibility Requirements.
Any student subsequently awarded such scholarship shall
have the duration of the high school scholarship deducted from the
five-year limit on scholarship eligibility.
Admission Requirements and Awards
Both General Scholarship and High School Scholarship
participants must complete the following Admission Requirements
prior to receiving an award:
- Satisfy admission standards as determined by the Oklahoma
State Regents for Higher Education for the appropriate type of
institution or, if attending a private institution of higher
education, satisfy admission standards as determined by the private
institution.
- Secure admission to, and enroll in, an institution which
is a member of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education, a
private institution in Oklahoma, or an Oklahoma career technology
center program, and secure such admission by regular admission
standards.
Subject to the availability of funds, scholarship awards
under both tracks:
- Shall be an amount not more than the equivalent of the
average amount of resident tuition for which an eligible
participant enrolled at an institution in the State System or an
Oklahoma career technology center program, whichever is applicable,
is obligated to pay.
- Shall not be awarded for courses or other postsecondary
units taken by the participant that are (A) in excess of the
requirements for completion of a baccalaureate program, and (B)
where participants have taken more than five (5) years after the
first semester of participation in the program, except in hardship
circumstances as determined by the State Regents. Even when such a
hardship is found to exist, in no event shall the participant
receive benefits after the participant has been enrolled for a five
(5) year cumulative time period.
How to Apply
The application for the 2026-27 academic year is now
available. All applicants-including new applicants, previous
recipients seeking renewal, and those applying under either
eligibility track-must complete the same application form. Students
may submit applications as early as their senior year of high
school.
Link to Online Application
Deadline to apply: May 14,
2026
An advisory committee of Tulsa community members,
coordinated by Langston University, will review the applications
and make recommendations to the State Regents for scholarship
recipients.
Additional Information
If you have any questions or need further assistance,
please contact Linette McMurtrey, Director for State Grants and
Scholarships, at lmcmurtrey@osrhe.edu or (405)
225-9131.