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Scholarships

Scholarship Application Schedule

To ensure our programs are accessible to as many students as possible, The College of Professional and Continuing Studies offers various scholarships for our students.  If you have been admitted to the University of Oklahoma and are currently taking courses through the PACS program, you may be eligible for a scholarship. 

PACS scholarships range from $500 to $1900 per semester and are based on both financial need and academics.

Please read the scholarship criteria carefully before applying.  Students cannot receive the same scholarship more than one time. 

Application Open Dates & Deadlines


Fall - August 1 through September 7

Spring - December 15 through January 19

Summer - April 29 through June 1
 

Start-Up Scholarship

Criteria: 

  • Must be admitted to a PACS undergraduate program and actively enrolled during the awarding semester.
  • Must have fewer than 12 hours completed in an OU College of Professional and Continuing Studies undergraduate degree program
  • Must have a minimum 2.75 GPA
  • Demonstrate financial need

Alumni Scholarship

Criteria: 

  • Must be admitted to a PACS undergraduate program and actively enrolled during the awarding semester.
  • Must have at least 12 College of Professional and Continuing Studies hours completed in the undergraduate degree program
  • Must have a minimum 3.0 GPA in College of Professional and Continuing Studies hours

A.R. Bert Larason Public Service Scholarship

Criteria: 

  • Applicants must be enrolled full time
  • Applicants must have a major course of study in Organizational Leadership, Criminal Justice, Lifespan Care Administration, or Integrative Studies
  • Applicants must demonstrate leadership ability
  • Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or above
  • Applicants must be classified as seniors in the year of the award.  
  • Applicants from Oklahoma will be given preference, but all applicants will be considered.  

Note: This scholarship is awarded once each academic year. The application opens on October 1st and closes on February 1st for disbursement the following academic year.  

Larason Scholarships are processed through the CASH Hub

Olga Theresa Brioli Scholarship

Criteria: 

  • Must be admitted to a PACS undergraduate program and actively enrolled during awarding semester.
  • Degree-seeking students
  • Undergraduates 3.0 GPA in at least 12 College of Professional and Continuing Studies hours

Olga Theresa Brioli Scholarships are processed through the CASH Hub

How to Apply for Scholarships

  • Once admitted, enroll in your required courses through the College of Professional and Continuing Studies.
  • Visit the PACS Scholarship page
  • Carefully read all criteria for the various scholarships listed.
  • If you meet the criteria, complete the application by clicking the “Apply Now” link (this link will only be visible if the scholarship window is open).
  • Read through the application requirements and fill out each area thoroughly.  Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
  • Submit application and supporting documentation before the deadline listed on the website.
  • Questions?  E-mail pacsstudentservices@ou.edu

Helpful Tips

  • Proofread your application!  Check for spelling and grammatical errors.
  • Have someone else read through your application materials to catch anything you may have missed.

Additional Resources for Scholarships

Helpful Scholarship Hints

  • Check the main OU Scholarships site for university-wide scholarship possibilities.
  • Before you apply, conduct local and national online searches and review information from the Federal Trade Commission about scholarship scams.

Financial Aid

Scholarships are important, but they are only one piece of the financial assistance puzzle. Visit Financial Aid Services for more information.

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Scholarships FAQ

I’ve heard that some scholarships don’t have applicants, and money will be given away to anyone who applies, even if they aren’t eligible. Can I apply for a scholarship if I don’t meet the eligibility requirements? 

Students must meet all eligibility requirements in order to apply, or their application will not be reviewed by the selection committee.  


For the faculty recommendations, can my advisor or a professor from another school write my recommendation? 

When obtaining a faculty recommendation for the Alumni Scholarship, it must be a current College of Professional and Continuing Studies faculty member. However, it can be from a previous semester, not necessarily from the current semester. 


Do I have to be currently enrolled in classes to apply for a scholarship?

Yes, you must be enrolled in the semester for which you are applying for the scholarship in order to be eligible to apply.


Are certificate-seeking students eligible to apply for scholarships?

Only degree-seeking students are eligible for scholarships. Certificate-seeking students aren’t eligible to apply for PACS scholarships.


I don’t know what scholarship to apply for. Should I apply for all of them?

If you’re not sure what scholarship to apply for, please read the eligibility requirements for each scholarship. If you’re still not sure, contact us at pacsstudentservices@ou.edu. 


How long should my essay be for my scholarship application?

PACS scholarship essays should be one full page (double-spaced, 12-point type) and fully answer the questions asked. This is your chance to tell your story to the committee and convince them that you should receive the scholarship over the other applicants. One-paragraph answers are not sufficient.


When the scholarship asks for a faculty recommendation, do I just list the name, or do I have to contact that professor for the letter?

It is your responsibility, as the scholarship applicant, to contact the professor and ask them to write the scholarship letter for you and to submit it to the contact person and email address provided. If you do not contact the professor, and you just list the professor's name, you will not be considered eligible for the scholarship.