Oklahoma Association on
Higher Education and Disability
Scholarship
OK-AHEAD offers scholarship money to Oklahoma students with disabilities in post-secondary education. Applications must be postmarked on or before January 31 of the award year. Scholarships can be applied at any Oklahoma technology center, or any two-year or four-year college or university. Three scholarships are awarded annually.
Eligibility
- Pursuing an education at an Oklahoma technology center or two-year or four-year college/university (postsecondary students or high school seniors)
- Transferring to a four-year Oklahoma college/university
- Half-time, part-time, or full-time enrollment, which must be verified by academic transcript or letter from academic advisor on office letterhead
- Minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Documented disability (No preference is given based on type or severity of disability. Examples of documentation include: Physician's or Psychologist's letter and/or Psycho educational evaluation based on adult norms or done within the last 3 years of high school)
Criteria for Award
A selection committee will determine recipients of the awards based on the following selection criteria.
- Program of study
- Professional/career goals
- Extracurricular activities (form provided)
- Self-advocacy and self-determination strategies previously experienced
- Impact that program participation would have on achieving professional goals
- Impact of disability on applicant's educational goals
- Letters of recommendation: Three (3) letters are required from persons directly familiar with the applicant's endeavors. Two of these letters must be from persons directly familiar with the applicant's academic standing.
Applications will not be considered without letters of recommendation.
Requirements:
The applicant is responsible for ensuring that all items are postmarked by January 31 of the application year when submitted to the scholarship selection committee. No exceptions.
- Completed application
- Documentation of Disability (This documentation must include test summaries and a clear diagnostic statement by an appropriate qualified professional.)
- Three letters of support: All three letters must be from a person directly familiar with the applicant's endeavors. Two of these letters must be from persons directly familiar with the applicant's academic standing.
- List of extracurricular and work activities (form provided)
- Confirmation of enrollment for scholarship year from one of the following:
- Unofficial transcripts from postsecondary institution, or
- Letter from academic advisor on office letterhead, or
- Copy of schedule with signature of appropriate academic official (e.g. registrar, academic advisor, DSS office)
- Letter from high school counselor and/or special education teacher with intent of going to particular college
- Confirmation of GPA from semester prior to scholarship year from one of the following:
- Current high school transcript and grade certificate completed, or
- Unofficial high school transcript, or
- Copy of grade report with signature of registrar or academic advisor
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Deadline
Postmarked by January 31 of the application year
Send completed applications to:
OK-AHEAD Scholarship Committee
c/o Kimberly Fields
University of Central Oklahoma
100 N. University Dr, Box 144
Nigh University Center, Rm 309
Edmond, OK 73034
Notification
Scholarship applicants will be notified of the award status by March 15 of the applicable year. Award recipients will be recognized and presented the award at the OK-AHEAD Spring Conference and Awards Luncheon.
Scholarship Use and Dispersement
- Applicable to an Oklahoma technology center or two-year or four-year college/university
- Scholarship funds will be forwarded to the bursar account at the institution after verification of enrollment and GPA by August 1 of the application year.
- Scholarship funds may be used for educational costs such as tuition, books and supplies, housing, assistive technology, etc. This list is not exhaustive.
Questions
Questions can be directed to Kim Fields at (405) 974-2549.