Why HSP

Why HSP?

What you receive as a Henderson Scholar

A $10,000 renewable scholarship ($2,500 per year, paid each semester over four years)
A place in OU’s first Living Learning Community — you live with your cohort your first year, building the foundation of a community that lasts four years
A second-year peer mentor who has walked this path before you
Weekly Monday evening cohort meetings that build connection, develop leadership, and keep your community close
Leadership roles that grow across four years: mentee, peer mentor, small group leader, Impact Team member
Access to retreats, service opportunities, and a network of HSP alumni committed to lifting others

What is expected of you as a henderson scholar

Live in the HSP Living Learning Community during your first year
Enroll full-time each semester (minimum 12 credit hours)
Maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA at OU
Attend all weekly Monday meetings and the annual retreat (one absence per semester is permitted; retreat attendance is mandatory)
Complete 20 hours of approved community service per academic year

Scholarship Renewal:

The $2,500 annual scholarship is paid each semester. To receive each payment, you must remain in good standing with all requirements listed above. Scholars who fall out of compliance will be notified and given an opportunity to return to good standing before any award is adjusted.

What we look for

HSP does not select one type of student. We do not have a preferred major, a required extracurricular profile, or a list of leadership titles we are looking for. Our selection process is not based solely on GPA, nor is it based on charisma or showmanship.

What we are looking for is evidence. Evidence that you have made your values a priority in how you live your life. Evidence that you show up for the things and people you care about. Evidence that you are ready to be part of a community that asks something of you — and gives something back.

We value that every scholar in this program differs in their background, lived experience, academic interests, extracurricular passions, and service work. That diversity is not incidental to what HSP is — it is essential to it.

Eligibility Criteria

Criteria 1

Required

Minimum 3.25 GPA (on a 4.0 scale)

Your high school GPA must meet this threshold at the time of application. This is the only GPA requirement for admission — once in the program, the continuation requirement is a 3.0 OU cumulative GPA.

Criteria 2

Required

Leadership & Community Service Essays

Submit strong Leadership and Community Service essays through the OU Common Application scholarship section. These essays are where your story lives — write them with honesty and specificity.

Criteria 3

Articulate at least one

Demonstrate at least one of the following qualities in your application essay:

Growth Mindset — Embraces challenges and seeks personal, academic, and professional growth.

Community Builder — Dedicated to serving and fostering inclusive communities.

Perspective Gathering — Understands and values different perspectives, passions, and experiences.

Service-Oriented Learner — Loves learning and actively serves others.

Purpose-Driven — Committed to causes beyond self-interest.

Engaged Scholar — Dedicated to program participation and contribution to the OU community.