Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education

Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education

There are no separate state school loans for Oklahoma students. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education operates the Oklahoma Guaranteed Student Loan Program, which guarantees federal student loans through the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP).

Oklahoma does not add any state benefits to their federal loans for college.

The state's financial aid for colleges mainly focuses on:

College Grants and Scholarships

Oklahoma Promise

• for 8th, 9th and 10th graders whose families make less than $50,000 per year and whose families will make less than $100,000 when they begin college (Careful planning can make this grant available to most students- but you have to know it exists! :))
• must take 17 units of required high school courses and get at least a 2.5 in each and have an overall high school GPA of 2.5
• to keep the award through college- 2.0 GPA for the first two years and 2.5 GPA after that
• award amount is full tuition (or the equivalent amount if enrolled in a private school) at an Oklahoma public 2-year or 4 -year university
• free online grant applications

Other need-based programs are the:

Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant Program

• for Oklahoma students attending an eligible higher education institution in Oklahoma and who have an EFC (Expected Family Contribution) of 1700 or lower
• award amount is lesser of 75 percent of enrollment costs or $1,000 for public colleges, universities or career technology centers- $1,300 for eligible private colleges or universities

and the:

Oklahoma Tuition Equalization Grant Program (OTEG)

• for Oklahoma students enrolled in an eligible higher education institution in Oklahoma and whose family earns less than $50,000
• award is $2,000 per academic year or $1,000 per academic semester

Oklahoma scholarship programs are the:

Academic Scholars Program

• for National Merit Scholars, National Merit Finalists or United States Presidential Scholars or scorers at or above the 99.5 percentile on the ACT or SAT
• award is $1,800-$5,500 per year depending on which school you attend; also tuition waivers for Oklahoma residents attending Oklahoma public colleges or universities

and the:

Regional University Baccalaureate Scholarship

• for Oklahoma students enrolled in any of 11 public universities in the state who are either National Merit Semifinalists or have an ACT composite score of at least 30
• award is $3,000 + a tuition waiver

These are specialized Oklahoma grants or scholarships for college:

Future Teachers scholarship Program

• for Oklahoma students enrolled in a professional education program at an accredited Oklahoma institution of higher education
• award ranges from $500-$1,500 per year depending on the number of credits being taken; students must agree to teach in a shortage area in Oklahoma public schools for a minimum of three consecutive years after graduation

Chiropractic Education Assistance Scholarship

• for students who have lived in Oklahoma at least 5 years and are enrolled in chiropractic school witha 3.0 GPA
• maximum award is $6,000 per year

George and Donna Nigh Public Service Scholarship

• for Oklahoma students enrolled in an Oklahoma degree program leading to a career in public service an demonstrating outstanding academic achievement
• award is $1,000 per year

Heartland Scholarship Fund

• for dependent children of victims of the April 19, 1995, bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building
• award is $3,500 (public 2-year) -$5,500 per year (private 4-year)

Independent Living Act (Foster Care Tuition Waiver)

• for Oklahoma students going to public universities and who have been in DHS custody for at least nine months between the ages of 16 and 18
• award is a resident tuition waiver

National Guard Tuition Waiver

• for Oklahoma students who are members of the Oklahoma National Guard
• resident tuition waiver

Scholars for Excellence in Child Care Program

• for Oklahoma child care workers
• award is tuition waivers for coursework leading to a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential, Certificate of Mastery, Director’s Certificate of Completion, and/or an associate degree in child development or early childhood education

All of these college grants and scholarships require a FAFSA to be filed, so check your Oklahoma FAFSA deadline.


Check out other college grants and scholarships that you should apply for.


Oklahoma is also a member of the SREB Academic Common Market This is a group of 16 southern states that allows students to pay in-state tuition rates at out-of-state colleges. As long as the degree program differs by 50% from any Oklahoma program, Oklahoma students can go to a college in one of those states and pay the in-state rate.

Financial Aid for Teachers

Some TSEIP features:

• Students must sign a compliance agreement stating their intention to teach in Oklahoma schools for 5 years.
• Students must complete an undergraduate or graduate degree program that qualifies them to teach math or science and they must complete the first year of their teaching service within 25 months of graduation.
• Oklahoma will pay student loans for teachers in the program. All education loans except ParentPLUS loans are eligible.
• If there are no student loan amounts owed, a cash payment will be made to the teacher.
• The total amount of the award is equal to the cost of resident tuition and fees for 3 years at colleges or universities which offer teacher education programs within the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education.