The HSP application process has two stages. Here is exactly what happens at each stage, in order.
Due: December 15 (annually)
by 11:59 PM CST
Submit your OU Common Application, including the scholarship application section, your Leadership & Community Service essays, and your academic record showing a minimum 3.25 GPA. No separate HSP application exists — everything happens through OU’s admissions application.
When: January 15, 2027
A limited number of applicants are selected as semifinalists and notified by email. If you are selected, you will receive instructions to complete a video interview. Semifinalists attend a virtual webinar to receive full instructions before the video deadline.
Due: February 12, 2027
by Noon CST
Semifinalists submit a video interview of 7 minutes or fewer, answering 5 questions. The video is uploaded to YouTube and the link is emailed to hsp@ou.edu by the stated deadline. Full instructions are on the Semifinalist Info page.
When: Spring 2027
Final scholar selections are made and all applicants are notified of the outcome by email. Selected scholars receive onboarding information for the following fall semester.
If this is your first time applying to college — or if you are the first in your family to do so — you belong here. The steps below are written to be as clear and complete as possible so that nothing about the process itself gets in the way of your application. We have tried to answer every question before you have to ask it. If something is still unclear, email us at hsp@ou.edu. There are no unintelligent questions, only gaps we have not filled yet.
The steps below walk you through exactly what to do, in order, from start to finish.
Step 1: Apply to the University of Oklahoma
Begin your OU Common Application. The HSP scholarship application is embedded within the OU admissions application — you do not apply to HSP separately.
Step 2: Complete the scholarship selection
Inside the OU application, navigate to the scholarship section. This is where your Leadership and Community Service essays live. Write these with care — they are the primary way the selection committee learns who you are beyond your GPA.
Step 3: Submit before the deadline
Your completed application must be submitted by December 15, by 11:59 PM CST. Applications submitted after this deadline will not be reviewed for the current cycle.
Step 4: Watch your email
All communication from HSP — including semifinalist notification — will be sent to the email address on your OU application. Check itregularly. If you are selected as a semifinalist, your notification will include instructions and the date of the semifinalist webinar.
If you are selected as a semifinalist, the following applies to you. If you have not yet received a semifinalist notification, no action is needed at this stage.
Step 5: Attend the semifinalist webinar
(Tentatively) January 15, 2027. Attendance is strongly encouraged. The webinar walks you through the video interview process and gives you the opportunity to ask questions directly.
Step 6: Record and upload your video interview to YouTube
Record your video response to the five interview questions (listed on the Semifinalist Info page). Your video must be 7 minutes or fewerfrom start to finish. Upload it to YouTube. You may set the video to Unlisted — it does not need to be Public. Copy the YouTube link.
Step 7: Email your interview video YouTube link to HSP
Send an email to hsp@ou.edu with the subject line: HSP Video Interview — [Your Full Name]. In the body of the email, include your full name, email address, phone number, and your YouTube link. Confirm the link is accessible before sending — submissions with broken or private links cannot be reviewed.
Step 8: Deadline for video interview submission February 12, 2027 by Noon CST
Submissions received after this deadline will not be reviewed, regardless of the reason. Submit early. Do not wait until the morning of the deadline.
