Navigating Oklahoma Christian University Scholarships: A Comprehensive Guide

Oklahoma Christian University (OC) is dedicated to providing an accessible and affordable undergraduate experience. With a robust financial aid program, over 90% of undergraduate students receive some form of assistance. This article provides a detailed overview of the various scholarships available at OC, including eligibility requirements and application processes.

Academic Merit-Based Scholarships

These scholarships are automatically awarded based on a weighted index that considers ACT, SAT, or CLT scores, alongside the unweighted high school GPA, as part of the OC application. A strong performance on standardized tests can compensate for a lower GPA. Transfer students with more than 15 credit hours from another higher education institution completed after their high school senior year should submit complete college transcripts for consideration.

National Merit Scholarship

Awarded in the spring of a high school student’s senior year, this scholarship is determined by the National Merit Corporation.

Kingdom Way Award

This award is available to first-time freshmen and transfer students who are actively involved in a Christian church. It offers $3,000 annually and is renewable for up to 8 traditional undergraduate semesters, totaling $12,000. The Kingdom Way Award is stackable with other scholarships.

Heritage Guarantee Program

Specifically for first-time college students active in a Church of Christ, the Heritage Guarantee provides a 50% tuition discount through multiple OC scholarships for up to 8 traditional undergraduate semesters.

Church Minister/Pastor Dependent Discount

Children under 23 years of age of full-time Church Ministers/Pastors may qualify for a tuition discount.

Northwest Endowment Fund Scholarship

Residents of the Pacific Northwest considering attending OC are eligible for this scholarship. Prospective students should contact their admissions counselor for more details.

Cordova Church of Christ Scholarship

This scholarship is available to students whose home congregation is the Cordova Church of Christ or who are from the Sacramento, California area. It honors a young man who died of leukemia at the age of 20. Requirements include FAFSA submission, maintaining a 2.0 cumulative GPA, and being under 23 years of age.

Business Scholarships

A variety of scholarships are available for students pursuing degrees in the College of Business. These awards often have specific criteria, such as GPA requirements, involvement in business program activities, and financial need.

Howard Leftwich Business Scholarship

This scholarship, ranging from $500 to $2,000, is for freshman students pursuing a business major, with preference given to accounting or finance majors. Recipients must maintain a 2.5 GPA at the end of the first semester to continue receiving the award.

Joseph & Beatrice Hargis Scholarship

Sophomores, juniors, and seniors pursuing an accounting major who need financial support can apply for this scholarship.

Randall’s Food Market Fund

Sophomores, juniors, and seniors enrolled in the business program who are involved in College of Business activities outside of the classroom and/or need financial support are eligible to apply.

Other Business Scholarships

Additional business scholarships may be available based on specific criteria and program involvement. Students should check with the College of Business for a complete list of opportunities.

Science Scholarships

Science majors have access to several scholarship opportunities. Details can be obtained from the Science department.

The McBroom Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to full-time students just completing their junior year of study in math, computer science, or science. Recipients are selected by the math and computer science or science faculty and announced on Honors Day. The award criteria include academic performance, potential for future service, character, leadership, and involvement.

The Erin Rowlett Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to one or more full-time current students majoring in a science-related field who demonstrate good character. Preference is given to qualified applicants with demonstrable financial need.

Hudkins Family Scholarship

The Hudkins Family Scholarship is awarded to full time students pursuing an engineering degree or a degree related to the medical field. This scholarship is designed to provide long-term scholarship support for worthy students.

Engineering Scholarships

The Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) department offers several endowed scholarships to returning students each spring.

Joe Watson Scholarship

This alumni-supported scholarship fund is named after a beloved ECE professor and provides scholarships for incoming freshmen who have declared an ECE major.

Loyd Scholarship

Two $4000 scholarships are awarded to incoming freshmen who have demonstrated an aptitude for mechanical engineering, displayed integrity and leadership, and influenced their community through their faith. Applicants should have completed their OC application for admission, earned an ACT score of 25 or higher, and have a 3.0 high school GPA.

Athletic Scholarships

OC offers athletic scholarships for a variety of NCAA Division II and club sports. The amount varies depending on ability and needs. Freshman athletes must maintain a 1.7 cumulative GPA, while other undergraduate student-athletes must maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA and enroll in 12+ credit hours per semester.

Music Scholarships

These scholarships are available for first-time students who demonstrate exceptional musical ability and accomplishment.

International Scholarship

International students who are not U.S. citizens and are ineligible for federal aid or OC’s academic scholarships may qualify for the International Scholarship.

OC Grant

This university-funded grant helps students afford a college education at Oklahoma Christian University.

National Scholarships & Fellowships Committee Nomination

Current OC students seeking an institutional nomination for a national scholarship or fellowship must meet the September deadline. The application includes a curriculum vitae, a 500-word personal statement, and a cover letter explaining why the student should be OC’s nominee. Faculty advisors assist with applications for scholarships such as the J.W. Fulbright Scholarship and the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship.

Center for Biblical Studies Scholarships

Generous donors enable Oklahoma Christian University to offer a variety of scholarships for new and returning students majoring in preaching, Bible, ministry, vocational ministry, and more. The Center for Biblical Studies offers scholarships of up to $10,000 to new students for the 2026-2027 academic year. These scholarships are exclusively for students pursuing a degree through the College of Biblical Studies.

External Funding Options

In addition to OC’s scholarships and grants, students can explore federal and state government aid, alternative loans, and outside scholarships.

Federal and State Government Aid

Students can apply for federal and state financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Alternative Loans

Alternative loans can help cover educational expenses not met by scholarships, grants, and federal aid.

Outside Scholarships

High school juniors are encouraged to search for scholarships locally and within their community, starting with organizations such as Kiwanis, Jaycees, and Rotary Clubs.

Employer Tuition Deferment

Students who are employed at a company willing to invest in their education may be eligible for tuition deferment. If the employer is paying OC directly, students may opt to defer payment for all or a portion of their bill. However, students are responsible for tuition, fees, books, or other costs not covered by the employer. All forms required by the employer should be copied to Financial Services for each enrolled term (7-week enrollment period) or semester (16-week enrollment period). Oklahoma Christian University will not initiate billing to your employer unless the employer requests billing as a requirement of proof of enrollment and costs.

Work-Study

The inclusion of work-study on a financial aid offer only indicates eligibility. Repayment of student loans begins six months after the student drops below half-time enrollment, with a minimum monthly payment of $50.

OC The Founder’s Scholarship

Oklahoma Christian University offers a wide range of merit scholarships for their incoming, first-year students. Each year, this scholarship awards $12,000 per academic year to incoming OCU first-years with a minimum 3.0 GPA and ACT score of 32 or higher. Accepted students will automatically be considered for this award based on a weighted index of their ACT, SAT, or CLT scores and unweighted high school GPA in their OC application. Based on previous application cycles, this scholarship is expected to reopen in October 2026.

Tailored Financial Packages

Oklahoma Christian University is committed to tailoring a financial package to each student's unique needs.

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