The state’s innovative Oklahoma’s Promise scholarship has propelled thousands of students to college success, and the program fits perfectly with Oklahoma State University’s land-grant mission of opportunity for all.
“Since its birth in 1890, Oklahoma State University has opened its doors to any Oklahoma student willing and able to pursue a higher education degree,” OSU President Burns Hargis said in his letter to readers of the spring issue. “Today, many students at OSU are fulfilling their college dreams thanks to the citizens of Oklahoma through the Oklahoma’s Promise scholarship program.”
“Oklahoma’s Promise is continually recognized by many as America’s best college access program,” said Glen D. Johnson, Chancellor of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.
“For more than 20 years, this program has helped thousands of students achieve the dream of a college education by encouraging more students to attend college, by helping students prepare themselves for academic success, and by providing them with the financial assistance they need. Oklahoma’s Promise is truly a transformational program that dramatically moves the needle forward toward higher rates of college degree completion,” Johnson said.
STATE, the official magazine of Oklahoma State University, is telling the story of five such students at OSU: Shelbi Barrett, Josh Midgley, Ridge Howell, Annie Jo Gilbert and Arnesha Threatt.
“We think these five stories tell of the drive, tenacity and commitment it takes to overcome financial burdens and thrive in higher education,” editor Michael Baker said. “The stories also show just how effective and meaningful the opportunity given through Oklahoma’s Promise is to these and thousands of other worthy young men and women.”
Barrett is working toward a future in nursing; Midgley plans to major in psychology and obtain a master’s degree; Howell plans to attend law school; Gilbert is studying animal science and livestock merchandising; and Threatt is a month away from an exciting engineering career. Each shows what can be accomplished with just a little help and a lot of determination.
Those five students — and many more in similar situations — say they would not have been able to attend OSU without Oklahoma’s Promise.
Eighth-, ninth- and 10th-grade Oklahoma students may apply for the state-sponsored scholarship if their parents make $50,000 a year or less.
About 19,000 students are expected to receive the award this year, said Bryce Fair, associate vice chancellor for scholarships for the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. The amount of the scholarship is based on tuition rates and may be for as much as $5,000 a year at OSU.
Oklahoma’s Promise students attending OSU can also apply for a Cowboy Covenant scholarship for an additional award of $1,000 a year. Students may also be eligible for other waivers and scholarships.
For more information on eligibility and requirements for Oklahoma’s Promise, Cowboy Covenant and other scholarship opportunities, visit admissions.okstate.edu/paying-college.
To read the full STATE magazine story on the Oklahoma’s Promise program at OSU go to http://statemagazine.okstate.edu/oklahoma_promise. For more information on STATE magazine and its contents, visit statemagazine.okstate.edu or call editor Michael Baker, 405-744-9075.
