Non-resident freshman merit scholarships

This is a real program, but some details for the current cycle are not published or not yet confirmed. Check the official source before you plan around it.

Award

Fall 2026 table, four-year totals: Award of Excellence 31 ACT or 1390 SAT and 3.5 GPA $68,000 ($17,000 per year); Distinguished Scholar 29-30 ACT or 1330-1380 SAT and 3.5 $60,000 ($15,000); University Scholarship 28 ACT or 1300-1320 SAT and 3.5 $52,000 ($13,000); Academic Achievement 26-27 ACT or 1230-1290 SAT and 3.5 $48,000 ($12,000); Honor Award 26+ ACT or 1230+ SAT and 3.25-3.49 $44,000 ($11,000); Merit Award 24-25 ACT or 1160-1220 SAT and 3.5 $40,000 ($10,000). Test-optional non-residents: $24,000-$48,000 ($6,000-$12,000 per year) by holistic review.

Deadline

For fall 2027, apply by November 1, 2026 for priority merit consideration. OU says test scores may be submitted for scholarship upgrades through April 30, 2027. The final nonresident merit deadline is not confirmed.

How to apply

Automatic with admission; no separate application. Students get the single highest award they qualify for.

What you'll need

• No separate application: you are considered when you apply for admission

Who can apply

Nonresident admitted freshmen. OU standardizes a weighted scholarship GPA and accepts ACT/SAT superscores and self-reported scores, which must be verified by enrollment. Test-optional students receive holistic consideration. Online bachelor's programs are ineligible.

Good to know

The nonresident award table is expressly for fall 2026 and may change for fall 2027. The fall 2027 early-action page confirms priority merit consideration by November 1 and score upgrades through April 30. Do not treat the older December 15 table note as a confirmed 2027 final deadline.

Details

Score minimumTest optional