Review frequently asked questions about the Henderson Scholars Program.
You apply to HSP through the OU Common Application at the same time you apply for admission to OU. You do not need to be admitted first. If you are admitted and selected as an HSP scholar, both decisions will be communicated to you.
HSP is open to all incoming first-year students at OU who meet the eligibility criteria. There is no preferred major, no required background, and no specific type of leadership experience we are looking for. We actively seek students from diverse backgrounds, identities, and experiences.
You must have a minimum 3.25 high school GPA on a 4.0 scale at the time of application. Once in the program, you must maintain a minimum 3.0 OU cumulative GPA to keep your scholarship.
If you are not selected as a semifinalist, you will be notified by email. Not being selected as a semifinalist does not affect your OU admission, your access to other scholarships, or any other aspect of your OU experience.
The video interview is a recorded response to five questions. You record it yourself, on your own time, before the deadline. You can use your phone. There is no live interview component at the semifinalist stage. The questions ask about your experiences, your values, and how you would contribute to HSP. Full instructions and all five questions are on the Semifinalist Info page.
No. All video submissions must be submitted as a YouTube link emailed to hsp@ou.edu. You can set your YouTube video to Unlisted — it does not need to be Public. File attachments will not be accepted because large files are unreliable to send and receive over email. Before you send your link, open it in a new browser window to confirm it plays.
Yes. The $10,000 scholarship is paid at $1,250 per semester over eight semesters (four years). Each payment requires that you remain in good standing with HSP requirements: full-time enrollment, 3.0 OU GPA, attendance at meetings and retreat, and 20 hours of community service per academic year.
Email hsp@ou.edu. Include your full name and the nature of your question in the subject line. Our team responds to all inquiries. If your question is time-sensitive and related to a submission deadline, email as early as possible — do not wait until the day of the deadline.
