Oklahoma Rising Scholars Award (formerly Academic Scholars
Program)
The Oklahoma Rising Scholars Award (formerly Academic Scholars
Program), established by the state Legislature and governor in 1988
and operated by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education,
provides scholarships to academically outstanding students who
attend an Oklahoma college or university.
Rising Scholars receive a scholarship to help cover the cost of
room, board, tuition, books and incidental fees for up to eight
semesters. The actual value of the scholarship varies based on the
institution the scholar chooses to attend.
Eligibility
Benefits
How to Apply
Program Rules
Forms
Frequently Asked Questions
Annual Reports
Eligibility
To qualify for the Oklahoma Rising Scholars Award (formerly
Academic Scholars Program), the applicant must meet the criteria
outlined below.
- Oklahoma students can automatically qualify for the program by
achieving designation as a National Merit Scholar, National Merit
Finalist or United States Presidential Scholar or by scoring at or
above the 99.5 percentile on the ACT or SAT (see
How to Apply).
- For fall 2025, the ACT required score is a total sum score of
the ACT skill areas of 137.
- For fall 2025, the SAT required score is a total sum score of
the critical reading and math skill areas of 1540.
- Public colleges and universities may also nominate students
attending their institution for the program based on criteria
established by each institution.
Scholars will continue to receive a scholarship each year if
they:
- Maintain full-time enrollment each semester.
- Complete at least 24 semester credit hours each year
(additional hours required if taking the option of summer
funding).
- Maintain at least a 3.25 cumulative grade point average each
year.
Benefits
Rising Scholars will receive a scholarship to help cover the cost
of room, board, tuition, books and incidental fees for up to eight
semesters.
The amount of the award varies according to the type of
institution the student attends and qualification status. Beginning
fall 2024, the annual scholarship amount for automatic qualifiers
is $6,500 for students who attend the University of Oklahoma,
Oklahoma State University or The University of Tulsa; $5,000 for
students who attend any other Oklahoma four-year public or private
college or university; and $4,500 for students who attend Oklahoma
two-year colleges.
The annual scholarship amount for Institutional Nominees is
$4,000 for students who attend the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma
State University or The University of Tulsa; $3,200 for students
who attend any other Oklahoma four-year public or private college
or university; and $3,000 for students who attend Oklahoma two-year
colleges.
The award amounts may vary from year to year depending upon the
amount of funds available. Payment is made directly to the
institution on the student's behalf. Students who enroll at public
colleges and universities are eligible for a tuition waiver in
addition to the scholarship award noted above.
How to Apply
Oklahoma residents who automatically qualify for the program by
scoring at or above the 99.5 percentile on the ACT or SAT or who
qualify for the program by achieving designation as a National
Merit Scholar, National Merit Finalist or United States
Presidential Scholar should complete the online application
form.
Apply Now
State Regents staff will review and verify the online
application and supporting documentation submitted. If any
additional documentation is needed, they will request it from the
applicant via the email address provided on the
application.
Students who do not automatically qualify should contact their
college or university financial aid office for more information on
the institution's nomination process.
Award notification letters are sent to approved applicants
beginning in late February each year. Prior to each semester, the
State Regents office will forward a roster of Rising Scholars to
each Oklahoma college and university. Oklahoma high schools are not
notified of scholarship recipients.
Program Rules
For additional information on the Oklahoma
Rising Scholars Award, please review the program rules. The
program's administrative rules are maintained by the Office of Administrative Rules of the Oklahoma
Secretary of State.
Forms
Leave of Absence Request
Application
Summer Application
Request for Transfer of Scholarship
Form*
Request for Transfer Graduate School Form
*Guidelines for scholarship transfer:
- Students receiving the scholarship as an Institutional Nominee
of a two-year college are eligible for transfer to a four-year
public or private Oklahoma institution after completion of an
associate's degree or the accumulation of at least 48 credit hours.
Institutional Nominees of a two-year college must attend the
nominating institution for the first year.
- Students receiving the scholarship as an Institutional Nominee
of a four-year university are eligible for transfer to another
Oklahoma institution after one year of attendance at the nominating
institution.
Annual Reports
2023-24 Annual Report
(PDF, 138k)
2022-23 Annual Report
(PDF, 124k)
2021-22 Annual Report
(PDF, 122k)
2020-21 Annual Report
(PDF, 695k)
2019-20 Annual Report
(PDF, 607k)
For Further Information
For more information about the Oklahoma Rising Scholars Award
(formerly Academic Scholars Program), email lmcmurtrey@osrhe.edu.