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Scholarships

Upon admission to Ottawa University, you are automatically considered for institutional scholarships. You must be a full-time student to be eligible for the following scholarships and awards.

Contact your Enrollment Advisor or call 785-248-2371 for more information about any of these scholarships.

 

Academic Scholarships

Each admitted student is considered for an academic scholarship based on Grade Point Average (GPA) and ACT/SAT scores for freshmen and cumulative college GPA for transfer students.  Academic scholarships are renewable based on cumulative Ottawa University GPA.

Among the scholarships available at Ottawa University, there are two competitive awards detailed below. For further information about available scholarships, please contact an Enrollment Advisor.

Presidential Scholarship - Competitive scholarship awarded to selected first-year students who seek to be agents of change in their college careers and beyond. The award amount will be up to the full cost of tuition each academic year for up to four years. Unless specifically designated, institutional aid can be used to cover any direct cost (e.g., tuition, fees, room, board, etc.).

Provost Scholarship - Competitive scholarship awarded to selected first-year students who seek to be agents of change in their college careers and beyond. The award amount will be up to three-quarter’s of the cost of tuition per academic year for up to four years. Unless specifically designated, institutional aid can be used to cover any direct cost (e.g., tuition, fees, room, board, etc.).

Dean's Scholarship - Competitive scholarship awarded to selected first-year students who seek to be agents of change in their college careers and beyond. The award amount will be up to 60% of the cost of tuition per academic year for up to four years.  Unless specifically designated, institutional aid can be used to cover any direct cost (e.g., tuition, fees, room, board, etc.).

Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Scholarship - This half-tuition scholarship is awarded to members of Phi Theta Kappa who are in good academic standing. The award is renewable for two additional consecutive years. Proof of membership is required.

Awards

Activity Awards

Ottawa University’s activity awards are available to students who have demonstrated significant skill or potential in an extra-curricular or co-curricular activity.  A student may receive only one activity award, although they are encouraged to participate in other activities, if they wish.  Amounts vary and continued participation in the activity is required to keep the award.

Athletic Scholarships - Student-athletes seeking athletic activity awards at Ottawa University should contact the Office of Admissions to learn more.

Non-Athletic Scholarships - Students seeking non-athletic activity awards at Ottawa University should contact the Office of Admissions to learn more.

Ottawa University Awards

Contact an Enrollment Advisor to learn more, including the amount of these awards.

Ottawa Indian Award - Awarded to admitted members of the Ottawa Indian Tribe of Oklahoma.  Documentation of tribal membership must be submitted and verified by the tribal office.  Students will receive full tuition, regular fees, and room and board (if residing on campus).  Contact an Enrollment Advisor for more details.

The following awards may be added to other academic scholarship, activity award or Ottawa University grant for which the student is eligible.

Alumni Award - Awarded to children or grandchildren of Ottawa University graduates.

Sibling Award - Awarded to concurrently enrolled siblings attending Ottawa University; retained if sibling graduates.

American Baptist Church Award - Awarded to students who are active members of a church that is a member of the American Baptist Churches of the USA denomination.  Requires a completed evaluation from the pastor or church official.

Regional American Baptist Church Award - Awarded to active members of American Baptist Churches of the Central Region (Kansas, Oklahoma and Arkansas) or Rocky Mountain Region (Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming and Eastern Utah). Students may receive this award in addition to the American Baptist Church award.

Franklin County High Achiever

Valued at more than $100,000, the Franklin County High Achiever scholarship was designed specifically for high school seniors in Franklin County, Kansas. The competitive scholarship is annually awarded to select students who will be attending Ottawa University.  Unless specifically designated, institutional aid can be used to cover any direct cost (e.g., tuition, fees, room, board, etc.).

Friday, November 1, 2024
Portfolios Due

Wednesday, November 13, 2024
On-campus Scholarship Competition

To be considered for the Franklin County High Achiever Scholarship, students must:

  • be completing their senior year at a Franklin County High School; and
  • have a minimum GPA of 3.25, cumulative ACT score of 21 or higher (or SAT equivalent).

Areas of consideration for the awarding of the Franklin County High Achiever Scholarship include academics, extra-curricular activities, school involvement, and community involvement. The competition consists of a portfolio submission and on-campus interview. The recipient will be recognized at the Senior Award/Recognition Ceremony.

The competition begins with the submission of a portfolio which shall include:

  • official high school transcript that details graded coursework through the end of your junior year; including in progress coursework for your senior year
  • single-page outline of extra-curricular activities that includes years and level(s) of involvement, list of honors, awards and recognitions received;
  • one (1) letter of recommendation from a school official, teacher, activity director, etc. that addresses your excellence in academics, intellectual and creative work, involvement in your high school community, and civic involvement; and
  • maximum of three (3) different samples of creative work that efficiently displays intellectual range and depth (i.e. a recorded fine arts performance, artistic expression, graded writing sample, graded exam, etc.).

Email admiss@ottawa.edu for more details regarding how you can be considered for this prestigious scholarship competition!

Non-Competitive Scholarships

The scholarships listed below are awarded to students based on GPA and/or ACT/SAT test scores and GPA. Unless specifically designated, institutional aid can be used to cover any direct cost (e.g., tuition, fees, room, board, etc.).

Meeker                                    $15,000

Tauy Jones                              $13,000

Black & Gold                          $11,000

Dome                                         $9,000

Foundation                               $7,500

 

Alumni Award                         $1,000

For students whose parent (s) or grandparent (s) are graduates of Ottawa University. Unless specifically designated, institutional aid can be used to cover any direct cost (e.g., tuition, fees, room, board, etc.).

First Generation Award         $500

Awarded to a student (s) who is/are documented to be the first in their family to attend college at the request of the Office of Admission.  Unless specifically designated, institutional aid can be used to cover any direct cost (e.g., tuition, fees, room, board, etc.).

Franklin County Award          $2,000

Awarded if the student is a graduate of a Franklin County High School (including home schooling) and is currently a resident of Franklin County.

Sibling Award                         $1,000

Awarded to siblings who attend Ottawa University.  This award is retained by the younger sibling if the older sibling graduates. Unless specifically designated, institutional aid can be used to cover any direct cost (e.g., tuition, fees, room, board, etc.).

American Baptist Church Award      $1,000

For students who are documented members of an American Baptist Church (ABCUSA). Unless specifically designated, institutional aid can be used to cover any direct cost (e.g., tuition, fees, room, board, etc.).

Regional American Baptist Church Award

This scholarship is awarded to active members of American Baptist Churches of the Central Region (Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas) or Rocky Mountain Region (Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, and Eastern Utah). Students may receive this award in addition to the American Baptist Church award. Unless specifically designated, institutional aid can be used to cover any direct cost (e.g., tuition, fees, room, board, etc.).

Phi Theta Kappa                     $1,000

This transfer scholarship is awarded to members of Phi Theta Kappa who are in good academic standing. The award is renewable for two additional consecutive years.  Proof of membership is required. Unless specifically designated, institutional aid can be used to cover any direct cost (e.g., tuition, fees, room, board, etc.).

Pathways

Committed to making the educational goals of students a reality, Ottawa University announces the new Pathways Scholarship. This scholarship is all-inclusive and provides recipients with the opportunity to experience a variety of professional development elements, as well as mentorship. Students who receive the Pathways Scholarship will be active on campus through campus clubs and organizations, as well as within the classroom. Unless specifically designated, institutional aid can be used to cover any direct cost (e.g., tuition, fees, room, board, etc.).

Scholarship recipients are available for first year and transfer students. For a complete list of requirements, please speak with the Family Financial Planner or your Enrollment Advisor.

Scholars Program

Ottawa University announces its prestigious Scholars Program competition. A select group of students will be invited to compete for the awarding of the Presidential (full-tuition), Provost (80% tuition) and Dean (60% tuition) Scholarships. Unless specifically designated, institutional aid can be used to cover any direct cost (e.g., tuition, fees, room, board, etc.). 

See the Academic Scholarships tab for more for more details about each scholarship.

The competition consists of an advanced portfolio submission and judging, followed by the on-campus elements of writing of an essay and interviews with Ottawa University’s president, administrators, faculty, and students.

Scholars Program Competition

To be considered to compete in this elite competition, high school seniors must be accepted to OUKS, and have either:

  • a minimum ACT composite score of 24, AND have either a minimum cumulative high school GPA of 3.5 (out of 4.0) OR be in the top third of your graduating class.
  • minimum cumulative high school GPA of 3.7 (out of 4.0) AND be in the top third of your graduating class.

The competition begins with the submission of a portfolios which shall include:

  • official high school transcript that details graded coursework through the end of your junior year, including in-progress coursework for the high school senior year;
  • single-page outline of extra-curricular activities that includes years and level(s) of involvement;
  • list of honors, awards and recognitions received;
  • two (2) letters of recommendation; and
    • one (1) from a high school official, teacher, activity director, etc. that addresses your excellence in academics, intellectual and creative work, and involvement in your high school community, and
    • one (1) from an individual that addresses your civic involvement;
  • maximum of three (3) different graded samples of work that efficiently displays intellectual range and depth (i.e. recorded fine arts performance, graded artistic expression, graded writing sample, graded exam, etc.).

Based upon an evaluation of the portfolios, selected students will advance to the final round of competition.

Scholars Program Details

Deadlines

Deadlines for entering the OUKS Scholars Program Competition for 2024-25 are as follows:

  • Portfolio Submission — Friday, October 18, 2024
  • Competition Day — Saturday, November 2, 2024

Notification of Membership

Competitors will be notified via phone no later than the end of business on the Monday following the competition. Award and acceptance letters will be mailed out and recipients will have seven (7) calendar days from the date of notification to accept the offer or the scholarship offer will be revoked. Deadline date for acceptance will be included on the mailed letter for easy reference.

Scholar Program Member Requirements

In order to maintain scholarship and status within the OUKS Scholars Program members are required to:

  • reside in University housing;
  • earn a minimum of 30 semester credit hours each academic year;
  • maintain a cumulative GPA above 3.0;
  • impact the OUKS student body in a positive manner through active participation in student organizations;
  • assist University administration in activities, such as recruitment, planning, guest speaker/conference events, Board of Trustee meetings, fundraising, community and alumni relations, etc.;
  • produce an annually published work with other OUKS Scholars Program members;
  • attend a special summer course to meet the assigned OUKS Scholars Program professional mentor, as well as other members of the OUKS Scholars Program;
  • work closely with an assigned OUKS Scholars Program professional mentor to complete the experiential learning component and academic tutoring equivalent to approximately fifteen (15) hours per week;
  • represent self and the University in a positive manner at all times; and
  • remain in good standing with the Office of Student Life.

OUKS Scholar Program Member

As a member of the OUKS Scholar Program, students will be challenged in a variety of academic areas throughout their membership. Scholars will interact with all levels of the OUKS Scholar Program structure and are expected to participate in Scholar activities and events above any other commitments, both on- and off-campus.

The scholar will:

  • work alongside assigned professional staff member for experiential learning and tutoring for up to 15 hours weekly;
  • attend and assist with a myriad of events and conferences held on- and off-campus (e.g. alumni events, scholarship competitions, fundraising, etc.);
  • participate in regular colloquia events;
  • attend the annual educational excursion as coordinated by the OUKS President and Scholar Program Coordinator; and
  • create academic work for inclusion in the annual social issues publication.

Ottawa University Mission

Building on its foundation as a Christ-inspired community of grace and open inquiry, Ottawa University prepares professional and liberal arts graduates for lifetimes of personal significance, vocational fulfillment, and service to God and humanity.

Annual Academic Publication

This annual publication, The Journal of Inquiry and Intellectual Engagement: a publication of OUKS Scholars, will consist of research-based writing by individual scholars. These works will be academic in nature and interest, passion or program-based.

The writing process will be conducted throughout the year with the goal of distribution by Commencement annually. Detailed timelines will be distributed each year.

Academic Tutoring

All OUKS Scholars will work with the AdaweLifePlan Center to provide tutoring services to fellow students as needed. This requirement will be coordinated with the Scholar's professional mentor.

Outside Scholarships

These resources can help you apply for scholarships.

These links are provided as resources for you and will take you to outside websites. Ottawa University is not affiliated with any of the websites listed and is not responsible for content accuracy.

University-Wide Scholarships

Ottawa Indian Award

Full Tuition and required fees/Room and board if on campus.

This scholarship is awarded to documented members of the Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma.  Double occupancy room and board charges are covered if the student resides on-campus.  Reduced meal plan charge is covered if student resides off-campus.  Students residing in university-owned off-campus housing should see the Tribal Agreement for full details.  Incoming tribal students must complete and submit the BIA Higher Education Scholarship application. 

 

Tuition Waiver Award

Full tuition. 

Full tuition to faculty/staff and their dependents.  These students are not eligible for SEOG & KCG unless all other eligible students have been awarded.  See Employee Policy Handbook for eligibility details. 

 

Tuition Exchange

Reciprocal agreement schools. 

Full tuition award for students whose parent (s) are employed by a university with a reciprocal agreement with Ottawa University.  OU reserves the right to limit the number of these awards.  These students are not eligible for SEOG & KCG unless all other eligible students have been awarded.

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