NEWS
NORMAN, Okla. – More Oklahoma families than ever will have a clear and affordable path to a University of Oklahoma education with the launch of OU Onward, a new scholarship that will help cover tuition and average fees at OU for qualifying Oklahoma students whose families earn between $60,000 and $75,000 annually.
For generations, access to higher education has long been central to the American Dream and the path to a better future. Beginning in fall 2027, OU Onward will extend that opportunity to students who do not qualify for Oklahoma’s Promise but whose families still find the cost of college difficult to manage.
The new scholarship builds on a longstanding partnership between the state of Oklahoma and OU to expand educational opportunity. For decades, Oklahoma’s Promise has provided a life-changing pathway to college for Oklahoma students. In 2019, OU built on that support by introducing Crimson Commitment, which provides additional financial aid to eligible Oklahoma’s Promise students to further reduce the cost of attending OU. Through a combination of scholarships, grants and tuition waivers, Crimson Commitment covers tuition and average fees while allowing other available aid to help with expenses such as housing, food and books.
Now, OU Onward extends OU’s affordability commitment to even more Oklahoma families.
“For generations, the American Dream has been rooted in the idea that if you work hard and have the talent and determination to succeed, opportunity should be within your reach,” said OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. “Oklahoma’s Promise has changed thousands of lives by creating that opportunity for Oklahoma students, and at OU, Crimson Commitment has built upon it. But we know there are still hardworking families who fall outside those programs and for whom the cost of college can feel out of reach. OU Onward is our commitment to them: If your student has earned a place at OU, we are going to work just as hard to help make that opportunity affordable.”
OU Onward is the latest step in a seven-year effort by OU to make a college degree more affordable and accessible for Oklahoma families. During that time, student aid at OU has increased faster than tuition, reducing the average amount paid by resident freshmen by 20%, while need-based aid and scholarships have both increased by nearly 40%.
“The new OU Onward scholarship reflects OU's commitment to making higher education more affordable for Oklahoma families,” said Jeff Blahnik, vice president for the Division of Enrollment Management and chief enrollment officer. “By removing financial barriers, we are creating more opportunities for Oklahomans to pursue their academic goals, graduate with less debt and contribute to the future of our state.”
How OU Onward Works
Beginning in fall 2027, OU Onward will be available to qualifying Oklahoma undergraduate students with a family adjusted gross income (AGI) between $60,000 and $75,000 who are not eligible for Oklahoma’s Promise but still face an affordability gap. As a last-dollar scholarship, OU Onward will cover the remaining cost of tuition and average fees at OU after other applicable federal, state and institutional aid has been applied.
The scholarship will benefit both new and current OU students. Incoming freshmen may receive OU Onward for up to four years of undergraduate study, while incoming transfer students and current OU students may receive it for up to three years.
Students who qualify for Oklahoma's Promise are not eligible for the OU Onward scholarship and are encouraged to take advantage of Oklahoma’s Promise and OU’s Crimson Commitment.
To qualify for the OU Onward scholarship for the 2027-28 academic year, an incoming undergraduate freshman, transfer student or current OU student must:
To renew the OU Onward scholarship annually, a student must:
To learn more about OU Onward, visit https://ou.edu/admissions/affordability/ou-onward
Apply to OU Today
The OU application is now open, and students can submit their application at apply.ou.edu or learn more on the OU Admissions & Recruitment website at ou.edu/admissions.
The early action admission deadline for incoming freshmen for fall 2027 is Nov. 1, 2026.
Every student is assigned an OU admissions counselor to help guide them through the college search and application process. Students can connect with their admissions counselor by emailing admissions@ou.edu or visiting go2.ou.edu/rep.
About the University of Oklahoma
Founded in 1890, the University of Oklahoma is a public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. As the state’s flagship university, OU serves the educational, cultural, economic and healthcare needs of the state, region and nation. For more information about the university, visit www.ou.edu.
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More Oklahoma families than ever will have a clear and affordable path to a University of Oklahoma education with the launch of OU Onward, a new scholarship that will help cover tuition and average fees at OU for qualifying Oklahoma students whose families earn between $60,000 and $75,000 annually.
