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Oklahoma's Promise

What Is Oklahoma's Promise?

With Oklahoma's Promise, formerly known as OHLAP (Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program), students who meet certain criteria can earn free college tuition. While the Promise allows participants to choose which college to attend and where to use their scholarship money, there are certain advantages to using your Oklahoma's Promise funds at Redlands Community College.

Who May Apply?

To enroll in Oklahoma's Promise, you must:

  • be an Oklahoma resident.
  • apply during your eighth, ninth, or tenth grade year.
  • be the child of parents who earn $50,000 or less per year.

How It Works

You must enroll in the program during the eighth, ninth, or tenth grade. You start preparing for college early by taking high school courses that will help you succeed, including completing the following requirements.

Requirements

  • graduate from an Oklahoma high school**
  • take the 17 units of high school courses and achieve at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average in those courses
  • achieve a cumulative grade point average of at least a 2.5 for all courses in grades 9-12
  • attend school regularly
  • do your homework
  • stay away from drugs and alcohol
  • don't commit criminal or delinquent acts
  • provide information when requested.
  • meet with a school official to go over your school work and records on a regular basis
  • apply for other financial aid during your senior year of high school
  • take part in OHLAP activities that will prepare you for college

** Students graduating from a high school not accredited by the Oklahoma State Board of Education or a recognized accrediting agency also must achieve a composite ACT score of 22 or higher.

The Benefits

Once you've completed the programs requirements, Oklahoma's Promise will help pay your tuition at an Oklahoma public two-year college or four-year university. It also will cover a portion of tuition at an accredited private college or university or for courses offered at a public technology center that qualify for credit from a public two-year college. (The scholarship amount does not include items such as other required fees, books, supplies, or room and board.)

Parents Help

Parents must supply proof of income, sign the agreement, and promise to help you successfully reach the goals of the program.

Ways To Apply

Other Conditions

  • you must meet admission standards for first-time students at the college or university to which you apply
  • you have three years from the time you graduate high school to begin taking college courses
  • you may receive funds for no more than five consecutive years after enrolling in college
  • awards cannot be used for courses taken after you complete your bachelor's degree
  • you must maintain good grades in college to keep receiving awards

Required Courses*

  • 4 English
    • (Grammar, Composition, Literature)
  • 3 Lab Science **
    • (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or any lab science certified by the school district; General Science with or without a lab may not be used to meet this requirement.)
  • 3 Mathematics
    • (from Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Trigonometry, Math Analysis, Calculus, Advanced Placement [AP] Statistics)
  • 3 History and Citizenship Skills
    • (including 1 unit of American History and 2 additional units from the subjects of History, Economics, Geography, Government, or Non-Western Culture)
  • 2 Foreign or Non-English Language (two years of the same language)
      OR
    Computer Technology
    • (2 units in programming, hardware, and business computer applications such as word processing, databases, spreadsheets, and graphics will qualify. Keyboarding and typing classes do NOT qualify.)
  • 1 Additional Course **
    • (any of the subjects listed above)
  • 1 Fine Arts
    • (Music, Art, Drama)

    Speech

17 TOTAL UNITS
 

* Students graduating from a high school not accredited by the Oklahoma State Board of Education or a recognized accrediting agency also must achieve a composite ACT score of 22 or higher.

** 2009 graduates may have two lab science and two additional courses.