Three OSU Institute of Technology students were admitted into the Academic Scholars Program operated by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

The program provides scholarships to academically outstanding students who attend an Oklahoma college or university. To qualify for the program, the students must have received a 33 or higher on their ACT or be in the top 5 percent of the graduating class and obtained a 3.7 high school GPA or higher.

Each student received $1,800 for the fall and spring semester as well as a tuition waiver of $1,500 split between the fall, spring and summer semester. 

“It is important for students to be aware of all the different funding opportunities available to them at OSUIT,” said Matt Short, director of Financial Aid & Scholarships. “The less students have to pay out of pocket and the less they have to worry about paying, the better able they are to concentrate on the primary business of being a student.” 

Three OSUIT students are accepted into the program each year. The OSUIT Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships nominates students who meet the criteria and the OSRHE selects the recipients.

Short said this type of scholarship also provides a way to help celebrate the outstanding students we have at OSUIT.

Deborah Thomasson, a first-generation college student from Hitchita, is one of the students who received the scholarship.

“I didn’t know I was receiving the scholarship, so when I found out I got it, I was completely shocked and excited,” said Thomasson. “This scholarship is helping me get the things I need to complete my degree and eases the stress of financial burdens.”

The scholarship is a cash award made to the student for whatever expenses they have. It is refundable if all other charges are met – so it could be used for books, materials, or other items as well as tuition, fees, room and board.

“The more scholarship and grant aid a student has, the less they have to go into debt potentially,” said Short. “This scholarship can also go with the student to another Oklahoma institution after they complete their Associate in Science or Associate in Applied Science if they pursue a bachelor’s degree OSUIT doesn’t offer.” 

Thomasson, pursuing an Associate in Science in Business, plans to obtain a career as an accountant before or after graduating from OSUIT.