Higher Education Grants, Scholarships and Incentives

Chickasaw Nation Residents, Chickasaws At‑large
Application Available

This program provides a wide variety of higher education grants, scholarships and incentives to Chickasaw college students each semester.

Application Dates

Spring: Dec. 1-Feb. 15

Summer: May 1-July 1

Fall: July 1-Sept. 15

 

See contact information, program details, videos or locations.

Apply

Eligibility

Must be a Chickasaw citizen.

You Provide
  • Final high school transcript (if you are an incoming freshman)
  • Unofficial college transcript with previous semester grades and hours
  • Current class schedule showing credit hours/units enrolled
Online Application

Contact

Phone:
(580) 421-7711
Email:

Events

No upcoming events.

Program Details

Grants and Scholarships

Higher Education Grant

The higher education grant may be awarded to Chickasaw students who maintain a 2.0 GPA or higher each semester.

General Scholarship

The general scholarship is available to Chickasaw students who take three or more credit hours each term and maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA. Awards are based on enrollment, classification and semester GPA.

Governor’s, Lt. Governor’s and Legislator’s Scholarship

These scholarships are for graduating high school seniors (awarded one time only). Students who have a GPA of 3.85 or higher, or who have been selected as class valedictorian or salutatorian are eligible. The applicant’s high school transcript is due Sept. 15.

Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes Johnson-O’Malley Scholarship

Each year the Chickasaw Nation awards this scholarship to one male and one female graduating high school senior (awarded one time only).

The students must be attending a school with a Johnson-O’Malley (JOM) program within the Chickasaw Nation. Applicants must submit one letter of recommendation and a 500-word essay by Sept. 15.

Fee Assistance Grant

The fee assistance grant may be awarded to Chickasaw students who take three or more credit hours each term and maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA or higher each semester.

Textbook Grant

Higher education Chickasaw students may be eligible for textbook funding. Students must maintain at least a 2.0 GPA to qualify.

Students enrolled in three to 11 hours may be awarded up to $250 per term.

Students enrolled in 12 or more hours may be awarded up to $500 per term.

Funds are awarded through a textbook Visa card (valid for textbooks only). If the student applies for textbook reimbursement, a check will be issued after receipts are submitted.

To apply for textbook reimbursement, submit receipts by:

Summer terms – July 1
Spring term – March 15
Fall terms – Oct. 15

Check your Textbook Card Balance

Graduation Stole Program

Chickasaw students who earn an associate degree or higher at an accredited college or university may be eligible to receive a stole to wear during graduation ceremonies. Eligibility is limited to one award per student per degree level.

Laptop Scholarship

The laptop scholarship is awarded once per student’s college career and shipped via FedEx directly to the student’s address.

Eligibility:

  • Full-time undergraduate students (12 credit hours/units or more)
  • Part-time master’s and doctorate students (excluding summer)
  • Students must be enrolled at an accredited college with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher

The Chickasaw Nation and postsecondary education are not responsible for any expenses incurred for warranty work, technical issues or upgrades to computers.

Postsecondary education will not replace lost or stolen laptops.

License and Certification Fee Assistance Program

This program assists with licensing and certification test and exam fees.

Students are limited to exam fee assistance once per student per certification for up to $500 per reimbursement.

Submit the original receipt within six months of payment.

College Graduation Fee Reimbursement

The college graduation fee reimbursement program assists Chickasaw college graduates with caps, gowns, invitations and other expenses incurred with graduating, up to $150. This program is on a reimbursement basis only. The application must be received no later than six months after degree completion.

Degree Completion Incentive

Degree completion incentive is awarded to students who complete a bachelor’s degree or higher classification. Students must apply within six months of graduation and submit a final unofficial transcript showing degree conferred. If awarded, the amount is $1,000 with a 2.0 GPA or higher requirement.

AP/College-Level Exam Reimbursement Program

Qualifying students may be awarded reimbursement for Advanced Placement (AP) or College-Level Exam Program (CLEP) subject exams.

For AP exams, eligible students can receive reimbursement once per subject area.

For CLEP exams, students must provide proof of satisfactory scores before receiving reimbursement. The reimbursement amount for CLEP exams is limited to the funding amount per credit hour through the scholarships, grants and incentives program.

To qualify for reimbursement, students must provide a receipt and complete an application within six months of making a payment for the exam. The reimbursement amount cannot exceed the actual payment made for each exam.

ACT/SAT Reimbursement

Chickasaw students may request reimbursement for the national ACT/SAT by submitting a copy of their testing receipt paid within the last six months, along with a high school transcript.

Cargill ACT Prep Workshop

Chickasaw students may request reimbursement or vouchers for the Cargill ACT Prep Workshop. Reimbursement is received by submitting their high school transcript and a copy of the receipt within six months of payment. Alternatively, students can request a voucher provided by the higher education office as payment for the workshop.

Concurrent Enrollment

Concurrent enrollment funding may be awarded to high school juniors and seniors who are enrolled in no less than three credit hours or units. If the student’s state of residence pays concurrent tuition, higher education will pay the cost of fees and books. Concurrent enrollment amounts are not to exceed grant and scholarship award amounts. Students must follow all the guidelines of the higher education grant.

Major and School Specific Scholarships

Holisso Pisachi Education Scholarship, East Central University (Ada, Oklahoma)

In partnership with East Central University (ECU), financial assistance is available to support higher education and encourage students to earn a bachelor’s degree in education.

Chickasaw students seeking a degree in education at ECU are eligible to apply. A limited number of scholarships are available.

The award will cover full cost of tuition, fees, on-campus housing and residential life.

Selected students are required to work in paid part-time employment positions with the Chickasaw Nation Department of Education and maintain bronze-level participation with the Chickasaw Nation Recruitment and Retention Program.

Application Dates
Fall (new applications): May 1-July 31

Spring (renewal only): Dec. 1-Feb. 15

Summer (renewal only): May 1-July 1

Abeka Apisachi Nursing Scholarship, East Central University (Ada, Oklahoma)

The award will cover the full cost of tuition, fees, on-campus housing and residential life.

Selected students are required to work in paid part-time employment positions with the Chickasaw Nation Department of Health and maintain bronze-level participation with the Chickasaw Nation Recruitment and Retention Program

Application Dates

Fall (new applications): May 1-July 31

Spring (new applicants and renewals): Oct. 1-Nov. 15

Summer (renewal only): May 1-July 1

Applications

Holisso Pisachi Education Scholarship ECU Application

Abeka Apisachi Nursing Scholarship ECU Application

Native American Business Scholars Academy, Oklahoma City University

Oklahoma City University Meinders School of Business offers Chickasaw students the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree in business.

Scholarship recipients are awarded full-time tuition funding for eight consecutive semesters.

Additional benefits, including a variety of tribal business-focused seminars and workshops, internships, networking opportunities with local, regional and national business leaders and access to special on- and off-campus events, are offered through this program.

Applicants must be a Chickasaw citizen with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, a score of 22 or higher on the ACT and meet Oklahoma City University admission requirements.

Students must maintain a full-time enrollment status and a GPA of 3.0 or higher while enrolled.

Application

Native American Business Scholars Academy Scholarship Application

Additional Resources

Student Support

The student support program provides general financial assistance for college and career technology students to help overcome barriers related to postsecondary education opportunities. This may include but is not limited to housing, utilities, transportation, living expenses or remedial education services. Student support may provide funding to Chickasaw citizens once each fall and spring semester. The award amount may change based on need and other eligibility.

Learn more at Chickasaw.net/StudentSupport.

Career Technology Program

The Chickasaw Nation Career Technology Program (CTP) is available to part-time and full-time Chickasaw students attending a state or nationally-accredited career technology center, trade school or private licensed training facility, whereby graduating students receive a professional certification or license upon completion of their program. Eligibility is not income-based and applicants are not required to live within the boundaries of the Chickasaw Nation to qualify for this program.

Learn more at Chickasaw.net/CareerTech.

Recruitment and Retention

The Chickasaw Nation Recruitment and Retention program prepares, supports and empowers Chickasaw college students for success with on-campus resources at seven colleges in Oklahoma.

Participants must be Chickasaw citizens enrolled at the University of Oklahoma, University of Central Oklahoma, Oklahoma City Community College, East Central University, Mid-America Christian University, Rose State College or Murray State College.

Learn more at Chickasaw.net/RR.

Oklahoma State University (OSU) Center for Sovereign Nations

First American students attending OSU have access to the OSU Center for Sovereign Nations, which provides on-campus support to:

  • Understand, respect and exercise of tribal sovereignty.
  • Promote First American student success and graduation.
  • Increase the number and quality of partnerships between OSU and the 39 federally recognized tribal nations in Oklahoma.

Learn more at OSU Center for Sovereign Nations.

Tutoring Assistance Program

This tutoring assistance program provides high-quality tutoring services to postsecondary students in a content specific, one-on-one virtual environment. Applicants must be Chickasaw students enrolled in a national-accredited public, private or online college or university.

Learn more at Tutoring Assistance Program.
 

Related Documents

Student Handbook

Videos

Locations

Douglas H. Johnston Building

Ada, Oklahoma 74820

Explore Other Services

Chickasaw Nation Residents,  Chickasaws At‑Large
The Chickasaw Nation Recruitment and Retention program prepares, supports and empowers Chickasaw college students for success with on-campus resources at five colleges in Oklahoma. Participants must be Chickasaw citizens enrolled at the University of Oklahoma, University of Central Oklahoma, Oklahoma City Community College, East Central University, Mid-America Christian University, Rose State College, Southeastern Oklahoma State University or Murray State College.