Options for Making Your Scholarship Gift

Made annually: With an annual contribution, donors make a gift to support a student directly.

Endowed: Endowed gifts are designed to continue in perpetuity through establishment of a principal of at least $10,000, of which only the earnings are distributed for a scholarship.

Deferred: Deferred gifts are made as part of an estate plan, involving a will, charitable remainder trust, or life insurance gift. Deferred scholarship gifts are most typically set up as endowments.

Unrestricted gifts: These gifts can be used for the needs of the highest priority as determined by OU.

Designated gifts: Donors specify through what department or area the scholarship is awarded, and whether the award is based on need or merit.

Scholarship recipients: Often donors consider the obligation of the student in determining the scholarship level. A resident undergraduate has $5,000 in tuition and fees each year, but the number is closer to $12,000 for graduate students and law students, and up to $20,000 for medical students. Scholarships can be established on a one-year basis, or they can be set up to assist a student over a four-year or five-year period.