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 the fall 2026 academic year, the required ACT score is 103, calculated from the English, Math and Reading sections only, as the Science section is now optional and not included in the score requirement.
  • For fall 2026, the SAT required score is a total sum score of the critical reading and math skill areas of 1560.
• 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.

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.