Oklahoma Association on
Higher Education and Disability
Scholarship
OK-AHEAD offers scholarship money to Oklahoma students with disabilities in post-secondary
education. Applications must be postmarked on or before January 31 of the award year.
Scholarships can be applied at any Oklahoma technology center, or any two-year or four-year
college or university. Three scholarships are awarded annually.
1. Eligibility
o Pursuing an education at an Oklahoma technology center or two-year or four-year
college/university (postsecondary students or high school seniors)
o Transferring to a four-year Oklahoma college/university
o Half-time, part-time, or full-time enrollment, which must be verified by academic
transcript or letter from academic advisor on office letterhead
o Minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale
o Documented disability (No preference is given based on type or severity of
disability. Examples of documentation include: Physician's or Psychologist's letter
and/or Psycho educational evaluation based on adult norms or done within the last
3 years of high school)
2. Criteria for Award
A selection committee will determine recipients of the awards based on the following
selection criteria.
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o
o
o
o
o
o
Program of study
Professional/career goals
Extracurricular activities (form provided)
Self-advocacy and self-determination strategies previously experienced
Impact that program participation would have on achieving professional goals
Impact of disability on applicant's educational goals
Letters of recommendation: Three (3) letters are required from persons directly
familiar with the applicant's endeavors. Two of these letters must be from persons
directly familiar with the applicant's academic standing.
Applications will not be considered without letters of recommendation.
3. Requirements:
The applicant is responsible for ensuring that all items are postmarked by January 31 of
the application year when submitted to the scholarship selection committee. No
exceptions.
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Completed application
Documentation of Disability (This documentation must include test summaries
and a clear diagnostic statement by an appropriate qualified professional.)
Three letters of support: All three letters must be from a person directly familiar
with the applicant's endeavors. Two of these letters must be from persons directly
familiar with the applicant's academic standing.
List of extracurricular and work activities (form provided)
Confirmation of enrollment for scholarship year from one of the following:
 Unofficial transcripts from postsecondary institution, or
 Letter from academic advisor on office letterhead, or
 Copy of schedule with signature of appropriate academic official (e.g.
registrar, academic advisor, DSS office)
 Letter from high school counselor and/or special education teacher with
intent of going to particular college
Confirmation of GPA from semester prior to scholarship year from one of the
following:
 Current high school transcript and grade certificate completed, or
 Unofficial high school transcript, or
 Copy of grade report with signature of registrar or academic advisor
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
4. Deadline
Postmarked by January 31 of the application year
Send completed applications to:
OK-AHEAD Scholarship Committee
c/o Kimberly Fields
University of Central Oklahoma
100 N. University Dr, Box 144
Nigh University Center, Rm 309
Edmond, OK 73034
5. Notification
Scholarship applicants will be notified of the award status by March 15 of the applicable
year. Award recipients will be recognized and presented the award at the OK-AHEAD
Spring Conference and Awards Luncheon.
6. Scholarship Use and Dispersement
o Applicable to an Oklahoma technology center or two-year or four-year
college/university
o
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Scholarship funds will be forwarded to the bursar account at the institution after
verification of enrollment and GPA by August 1 of the application year.
Scholarship funds may be used for educational costs such as tuition, books and
supplies, housing, assistive technology, etc. This list is not exhaustive.
7. Questions
Questions can be directed to Kim Fields at (405) 974-2549.
Oklahoma Association on
Higher Education and Disability
Scholarship Application
All scholarship applications and supporting materials MUST be received between November 1
and January 31 for the subsequent academic year. Incomplete applications will not be
considered.
Personal Profile of Applicant
Please Type or Print in Black Ink
Name_______________________________________________________________________
Address_____________________________________________________________________
City/State/Zip_________________________________________________________________
Home Phone________________________________Cell Phone_________________________
Email Address________________________________________________________________
If applying as a graduating senior, what high school did you attend?
____________________________________________________G.P.A.____________________
List all formal education in chronological order of attendance
Career/
Technology
Education
_______________________________________________G.P.A.___________
_______________________________________________G.P.A.___________
Community
College
_______________________________________________G.P.A.___________
_______________________________________________G.P.A.___________
Four year
College/
University
_______________________________________________G.P.A.___________
_______________________________________________G.P.A.___________
Include verification (i.e., unofficial transcript, letter from advisor on office letterhead for
all above academic information submitted)
Check all that apply:
____ I am currently a graduating senior in high school.
____ I am currently registered at a postsecondary institution.
Name of Institution __________________________________________
____ I have been admitted and plan to register at a postsecondary institution.
Name of Institution __________________________________________
Do you anticipate your academic plans to change within this next year? If so, please explain.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Using the space provided, respond to the following. Do not staple or glue anything to this page.
Please name the institution where you are now enrolled or plan to enroll.
______________________________________________________________________________
What will be your major course/program of study?
______________________________________________________________________________
What will be your minor course/program of study or explain if a minor not applicable for your
major?
______________________________________________________________________________
1. Explain why you chose this major/ minor/ program/ degree.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
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2. What are your professional/career goals and how will this chosen program/degree help
achieve these goals?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
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3. Describe the impact of your disability on your educational goals and how you plan to
achieve success in those educational goals.
________________________________________________________________________
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4. What has been your biggest life challenge and how did you deal with it?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
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5. Please explain ways in which you have used self-advocation strategies and selfdetermination in the past to overcome obstacles.
________________________________________________________________________
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Required Signature
By my signature below, I:
1. Affirm that I have furnished all information requested in this application;
2. Understand that withholding information requested or giving false information may make
me ineligible for the scholarship; and
3. Agree that relevant information may be released to off-campus committees for
scholarship consideration and to the news media.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Signature
Printed name
Date
Reminder
Completed application packets must be postmarked by January 31 of the application year.
Incomplete applications will not be considered. Send applications to:
OK-AHEAD Scholarship Committee
c/o Kimberly Fields
University of Central Oklahoma
100 N. University Dr, Box 144
Nigh University Center, Rm 309
Edmond, OK 73034
Activities Form
Extracurricular
Activities
List all extracurricular, community, and personal activities in which
you have participated and/or are planning for the current year.
Include clubs, debate, school sports, student government, fine arts,
volunteer work, youth programs, athletic programs, music, scouting,
etc.Use only the space below.
Participation
By Year
Positions Held and Brief Description
Identify Participant or Leadership Level
Fr So Jr Sr
Work Experience
Dates of
Employment
Title/ Job Duties
Grade Certificate Form-High School Students ONLY
This section is to be completed by an advisor/counselor. Only transcripts with fall semester
information will be accepted and must be included with the application. This certification form is
to be included in the complete application packet.
Student's Name________________________________________________________
School Name _________________________________________________________
At the close of the most recent semester, the applicant ranked __________ in a class of
______________.
At the close of the most recent semester, the applicant's cumulative GPA was _________ on a
scale of__________.
Person completing this form: ______________________________________________
Title: _________________________________________________________________
(Please Print)
Signature:_________________________________________ Date: _____/___/_____
AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT INCLUDING FALL SEMESTER GRADES MUST
ACCOMPANY THIS APPLICATION.
DO NOT SEND THIS INFORMATION SEPARATELY!
Letter of Recommendation Form
The below named applicant is applying for the OK-AHEAD Scholarship. Your appraisal is
needed as part of the application process. The student has approved the release of information
that would be helpful in the review of his/her application. Your cooperation is most important in
the selection of award recipients. To ensure confidentiality, please return this form to the student
in a sealed envelope with your signature across the seal. Please us letterhead as recommendations
are made regarding the following:
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Relationship to you and the length of time you have been acquainted with the applicant
Character and how well the student understands his/her disability
Self-advocacy skills for himself/herself. Include examples
Share an experience or an event in which the student used his/her abilities and potential
to succeed and achieve goals/task set by the student
Evidence of the student's strengths and weaknesses
Letter should not exceed one page in length.
Student applicant name: ______________________________________________________
Person submitting recommendation:
Name: ________________________________ Telephone Number: (_____)_____-______
Address: _________________________________________________________________
(Street or PO Box)
City
State
Zip
Relationship to applicant: _____________________________________________________
How long have you known the applicant? _________
Email: ____________________________________________________________________
A recommendation received with a broken seal will be rejected. Please be sure to seal and sign
the envelope and return to the applicant in order for it to be included along with the application
packet. Remember - Recommendations from parents and immediate family members are NOT
accepted. It is requested that the letter of recommendation be typed or hand printed.