The Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education created the Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education Scholars Program to help address Oklahoma's ongoing teacher shortage by making a high-quality education degree more affordable and providing students with the support they need to succeed.
Preparing the next generation of teachers is one of the most important investments we can make in Oklahoma's future. Strong schools are essential to strong communities, and we recognize that recruiting and retaining talented educators requires us to think differently about how we support students pursuing teaching careers.
Through a generous $5 million gift, the college is establishing a Scholars Program that will provide $9,500 in scholarships over four years, a no-cost study abroad experience at OU's campus in Puebla, Mexico, and opportunities for mentoring, professional development, and engagement with the college community.
This program was created for Oklahoma students whose families may not qualify for programs such as Oklahoma's Promise or OU Onward but who still face financial challenges when considering the cost of college. The Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education Scholars Program is designed for eligible Oklahoma residents with a household adjusted gross income of $135,000 or less.
Prospective students interested in a Jeannie Rainbolt College of Education major will be selected for the first-year scholarship after applying to OU and completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). No separate application is required. The initial $2,000 scholarship will be automatically added to a student's financial aid notification.
But this program is about more than financial assistance. We want students to enter the college knowing they are part of a community that is invested in their success, both during their time at OU and as they prepare to become teachers.
Our ultimate goal is to help more students choose education, successfully complete their degrees, and enter classrooms prepared to make a difference in the lives of Oklahoma students.
Be admitted to OU as a freshman with an interested major in the JRCOE
Be enrolled full-time
Be a resident of the State of Oklahoma
Not eligible for Oklahoma’s Promise
Family must make an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $135,000 or lower on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Must maintain minimum 2.75 GPA and maintain satisfactory academic progress
Scholarship will not apply for National Merit Scholars, National Award Scholars or Oklahoma Rising Scholars (Automatic Qualifiers and Institutional Nominees)
Students must remain in the Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education to continue receiving the scholarship
Students selected for the Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education Scholars Program will receive $9,500 in scholarships distributed over four years, provided they continue to meet the program's eligibility requirements.
Academic Year | Scholarship Amount |
Freshman | $2,000 |
Sophomore | $2,000 |
Junior | $2,500 |
Senior | $3,000 |
Total | $9,500 |
One of the most important features of the Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education Scholars Program is that this funding can be combined with other scholarship, grant, and teacher incentive opportunities available to education majors.
For example, eligible students may also participate in Oklahoma's Inspired to Teach program, which provides up to $5,500 in payments during their undergraduate education. When combined with the Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education Scholars Program, these two programs alone represent up to $15,000 in financial support over four years, subject to continued eligibility.
Funding Opportunity | Potential Financial Support | Important Details |
Inspired to Teach | Up to $25,500 | Up to $5,500 during college, with an additional $20,000 available after graduation through qualifying Oklahoma teaching service |
OU Debt-Free Teachers | Up to $20,000 | Loan-based financial assistance that may be forgiven through qualifying teaching service |
Federal TEACH Grant | Up to $16,000 | Federal grant funding for eligible students who fulfill specified teaching commitments |
JRCoE College and Departmental Scholarships | Approximately $2,500 on average | Additional scholarships awarded through the college's scholarship application process |
Together, these programs represent substantial potential financial support for students pursuing teaching careers. However, not every student will qualify for every opportunity, and some funding is contingent upon completing teaching commitments after graduation.
An important component of the Scholars Program will be helping students apply for and pursue additional scholarship opportunities through OU's Centralized Academic Scholarship Hub (CASH). Application assistance will be an intentional part of the Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education Scholars experience.
Our goal is to help students take full advantage of the financial resources available to them. The $9,500 Scholars Program scholarship is the starting point, not necessarily the full extent of the financial assistance students may receive.
The application for fall 2027 is currently open. Students can apply at apply.ou.edu and select a major in the Jeannine Rainbold College of Education on their OU application. Join OU’s mailing list to learn more about application deadlines, requirements, and scholarships
