OKLAHOMA CITY ā Ļć½¶Šć University is striving to support the city and its residents by making the task of paying for college significantly easier for local high school students.
University officials today announced a pair of new scholarship programs: the OKCPS Scholarship and the OKCPS Academic Success Scholarship. The automatic academic-based scholarships are earmarked specifically for students attending Ļć½¶Šć Public Schools sites.
Combined with the universityās regular academic awards, the two OKCPS scholarships will provide some local students who attend Ļć½¶Šć with a discount of more than 70% on tuition costs.
āWe want to play a continuing role in supporting the success and momentum of our city,ā Ļć½¶Šć President Kenneth Evans said. āMaking a bachelorās degree more affordable and accessible for local OKCPS students is one way we can contribute.ā
The OKCPS Scholarship will be awarded to OKCPS students beginning in the fall 2026 semester. Based on a studentās high school GPA, they may receive annual amounts of either $3,000, $4,000 or $5,000 during a four-year stay at Ļć½¶Šć.
The OKCPS Academic Success Scholarship is based off studentsā first-year Ļć½¶Šć GPA. It stacks on top of the OKCPS Scholarship with an additional amount of either $3,000, $4,000 or $5,000 for studentsā second, third and fourth years at Ļć½¶Šć.
Both scholarships can be stacked on top of Ļć½¶Šćās regular academic scholarships, which already equate to $13,000 a year in tuition savings for high-performing students.
The end result: OKCPS students who enter Ļć½¶Šć with a 3.8 or greater high school GPA and then earn a similar GPA in the first year at the university could be the beneficiary of $87,000 in tuition scholarships during their four years at Ļć½¶Šć.
OKCPS Assistant Superintendent of Student Achievement and Accountability Alisha Suffield said the scholarships can open doors for the cityās students.
āAs a district, nothing makes us prouder than watching our students grow and achieve,ā Suffield said. āThis scholarship opens doors for our graduates to continue their education, preparing them for success through enrollment in college, employment in the workforce, or enlistment in military service. It shows our students that their community believes in them and is committed to removing barriers so they can build bright futures and dreams can be achieved.ā
Evans echoed those sentiments, and said university administrators recognize the impact of college attainment on career outcomes and lifetime earnings.
āA college education can be transformational in terms of future achievement,ā he said. āThis scholarship program will help establish a solid foundation for OKCPS students to launch their dreams.ā
The OKCPS scholarships are available to students majoring in Arts & Sciences, Business or Nursing at Ļć½¶Šć. Students need only maintain a 3.0 GPA in subsequent years for their scholarships to be renewed. Full details are available on the Ļć½¶Šć website.
###
About Ļć½¶Šć University
Founded in 1904, Ļć½¶Šć University is a private, nonprofit liberal arts and sciences university that prides itself on graduating transformational leaders across a variety of disciplines. Ļć½¶Šć is located in the heart of Ļć½¶Šć, nestled between the cityās Uptown 23rd and Asian districts. At Ļć½¶Šć, students from across the globe follow their passions and excel in sciences, religion, business, nursing and health care, fine arts, law and the performing arts. More information is available at okcu.edu.
About Ļć½¶Šć Public Schools
Ļć½¶Šć Public Schools (OKCPS) is the largest traditional school district in Oklahoma, serving more than 32,000 students across 60+ campuses and online through First Choice Online Academy. Spanning 135.5 square miles in the heart of the stateās capital, OKCPS is a reflection of our community where over 70 languages are spoken and more than 80 Native American tribes are represented. With a team of approximately 5,000 educators and staff members, we are united by a shared commitment to equity, excellence and opportunity. Every day, OKCPS works to build a culture of pride and progress, empowering students to learn, dream and lead with purpose.
