The Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant (OTAG) Program could provide up to $1,300 annually for attending a postsecondary school in Oklahoma. The award is given on a first-come, first-served basis to students whose Expected Family Contribution (EFC) score is 1,700 or less. The Oklahoma Tuition Equalization Grant (OTEG) Program is another need-based grant given to students with annual income of $50,000 or less. Up to $2,000 per year is available if you attend a not-for-profit, private or independent school.
Hitting the books while in high school can be a financially advantageous endeavor if your income is above the threshold for some awards. The State of Oklahoma offers several scholarships to students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement. Awards vary for the Academic Scholars Program, while the Regional University Baccalaureate Scholarship offers up to $3,000 annually and the Robert C. Byrd Scholarship Program awards $1,500 per year.
Younger students looking ahead can enroll in the Oklahoma's Promise Higher Learning Access Program as eighth-, ninth-, or 10th-graders. The program provides full tuition for participants whose family income must be less than $50,000 at the time of enrollment. Participating students must also take certain high school courses and maintain passing grades.
The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education also offers several awards for specialized programs of study. Aspiring chiropractors, teachers, public servants and child care professionals may be eligible for scholarship funding. Awards are also available to foster care children, National Guardsmen and dependent children of victims of the Oklahoma City bombing.
In order to be eligible for grant and scholarship programs, you must be a resident of Oklahoma. The length of residency required varies by program. For example, to receive the Chiropractic Education Assistance Scholarship, a student must have lived in the state for at least five years prior to applying. Other awards have varying requirements. Some are need-based while others are based on academic merits.
The first step to applying for any grant or scholarship opportunity is filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The form can be found online or is available from your school's financial aid department. The state will determine eligibility based on the FAFSA application. It is important to fill out the FAFSA as soon as possible after Jan. 1 each year, as many awards are offered to those who apply first. Some awards have specific entry deadlines and separate applications to determine whether you are eligible.