NORMAN, Okla. –
The University of Oklahoma is launching OU Onward, a new scholarship designed to make an OU education more affordable for Oklahoma families who do not qualify for Oklahoma’s Promise but still face challenges paying for college.
Beginning in fall 2027, the scholarship will be available to qualifying Oklahoma undergraduate students whose families have an adjusted gross income between $60,000 and $75,000.
OU Onward expands access to OU
OU Onward is designed as a last-dollar scholarship, meaning it will cover the remaining cost of tuition and average fees after applicable federal, state and institutional aid has been applied.
The scholarship builds on OU’s existing affordability efforts, including Crimson Commitment, which was introduced in 2019 to provide additional financial aid to eligible Oklahoma’s Promise students.
Students who qualify for Oklahoma’s Promise are not eligible for OU Onward and are encouraged to use Oklahoma’s Promise and Crimson Commitment.
Scholarship available to incoming and current students
OU Onward will be available to incoming freshmen, incoming transfer students and current OU students.
Incoming freshmen may receive the scholarship for up to four years of undergraduate study. Incoming transfer students and current OU students may receive it for up to three years.
Eligibility requirements for 2027-28
To qualify for OU Onward for the 2027-28 academic year, students must:
- Be a resident of Oklahoma.
- Have a family adjusted gross income between $60,000 and $75,000 on the FAFSA.
- Submit the FAFSA by March 1, 2027.
- Enroll as a full-time student each semester.
- Not be eligible for Oklahoma’s Promise.
Students must meet requirements to renew scholarship
Students seeking to renew OU Onward annually must:
- Submit the FAFSA on or before March 1.
- Be enrolled at OU as a Norman program full-time student.
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress.
- Have a family adjusted gross income of $100,000 or lower on the FAFSA.
OU said OU Onward is the latest step in a seven-year effort to make a college degree more affordable and accessible for Oklahoma families.
During that period, OU said student aid has increased faster than tuition. The university said the average amount paid by resident freshmen has decreased by 20%, while need-based aid and scholarships have each increased by nearly 40%.
