Paying For College

1. Freshman Scholarship

• MAY 15 - First-time Freshmen Deadline: complete the application and provide a seven-semester transcript (best if returned by March 31) for best consideration. 

All Freshmen: Please submit a copy of your high school transcript with ACT scores. If enrolled in Concurrent classes, please submit an official transcript from all other schools attended.

Transcripts, ACT Scores and verification for Cumulative Grade Point Average should be mailed to the NWOSU Registry Office, 709 Oklahoma Blvd., Alva, OK 73717.

All applicants are encouraged to apply for student financial aid by completing a FAFSA at www.studentaid.gov

2. Transfer Scholarship Application

• JULY 15 - Transfer Students Deadline: complete the application and provide verification of your cumulative grade point average for best consideration. All Bridge Program students transferring from NOC must also fill out this form.

All Transfer Students will submit a copy of all previously attended college transcripts for verification of Cumulative Grade Point Average.

Transcripts should be mailed to the NWOSU Registry Office, 709 Oklahoma Blvd., Alva, OK 73717.

All applicants are encouraged to apply for student financial aid by completing a FAFSA at www.studentaid.gov

3. Continuing Student Scholarship Application

You should ask the Financial Aid Office for information on your maximum monetary eligibility (cap) for scholarship funds.

• FEBRUARY 15 - Deadline to apply for Foundation/Departmental Scholarships within a specified department.

  • Each department has its own separate online form. Each form is available under the heading Departmental Scholarships for Continuing Students on this web page.

• MARCH 15 - Deadline to apply for academic scholarships for the upcoming year. 

  • You’ll need to be enrolled full-time and must have completed 24 semester hours at Northwestern in the past academic year.

  • A cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 is required for academic awards.
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All applicants are encouraged to apply for student financial aid by completing a FAFSA at www.studentaid.gov

• Most scholarships are awarded to students with strong academic records and/or demonstrated leadership capabilities.

• To qualify for any scholarship, you’ll need to meet all scholarship eligibility requirements.

• Incoming Freshman – All students must complete a Freshman Scholarship Application prior to specified deadlines for eligibility purposes. To be eligible for academic scholarship funds, you must have a minimum 3.0 CGPA and at least a 21 ACT score.  If CGPA is a 3.75 or greater and ACT is not at least a 21, alternative academic scholarships are available.  Participation Scholarships require a 2.5 CGPA..

• Continuing Northwestern students - In order to be eligible for scholarships after your first year at Northwestern, you must successfully complete at least 24 credit hours at Northwestern during the academic year (including summer) and you must maintain a minimum 2.5 CGPA for participation scholarships and at least a 3.5 CGPA for academic scholarships. Apply using the Continuing Student Scholarship Application for academic scholarships and use the individual department online forms for any departmental (Foundation) scholarships.

• Transfer students – In order to be eligible for scholarships at Northwestern, you must have successfully completed at least 24 credit hours in the prior year at the school from which you transfered. You must have a 2.5 CGPA for Participation Scholarships and a Transfer Incentive Scholarship. For Associate’s Degree Scholarships, you must have a 3.0 - 4.0 CGPA, and for Academic Scholarships, you must have a minimum 3.5 CGPA.  Apply using the Transfer Student Application. 

Apply for Freshman Scholarships

Freshman Year Academic Awards

Freshman Academic Scholarships

$500-$1,200 toward tuition. Must have a 3.0 High School CGPA and 21-25 Composite ACT. If CGPA is 3.75 or greater and ACT is not at least a 21, alternative academic scholarships are available. 

Extraordinarily Talented Award
$1,900 toward tuition and 1/2 of the cost of semi-private dorm room. Must have a 3.0 High School CGPA and 26-28 Composite ACT.

Exceptionally & Extraordinarily Talented Award
$1,900 toward tuition and full cost of semi-private dorm room. Must have a 3.0 High School CGPA and 29 Composite ACT.

4-Year Academic Awards for Freshmen

Salutatorian Scholarship
$1,250 each year toward tuition. Must graduate as High School Class Salutatorian. You must complete the Continuing Student Scholarship Application by March 15, complete 24 credit hours, and maintain a 3.5 CGPA to continue receiving scholarship.

Valedictorian Scholarship
$1,500 each year toward tuition. Must graduate as High School Class Valedictorian. You must complete the Continuing Student Scholarship Application by March 15, complete 24 credit hours, and maintain a 3.5 CGPA to continue receiving scholarship. 

Oklahoma Academic Scholars Award
16 hours of tuition per semester, semi-private room and $3,200 each year. Must have a 3.8 High School CGPA, 30 ACT Composite on National Test and be in top 4 percent or rank first or second in graduating class. Oklahoma Residency Required.

Regional Baccalaureate Scholarship
16 hours of tuition per semester, semi-private room and $3,500 each year. Must have a 3.0 High School CGPA and 30 ACT Composite on National Test. Oklahoma Residency Required.

Other Freshman Scholarships

President’s Leadership Class

$2,000 toward tuition and $750 toward other university expenses. Contact the Recruitment Office for details.

Ranger Preview
$600 for attending Ranger Preview. Must attend classes at the Alva Campus and either live in the residence halls or establish Alva residency.

*Student can receive Ranger Preview or Spring Showcase, not both.

Spring Showcase

$500 for attending Spring Showcase. Must attend classes at the Alva Campus and either live in the residence halls or establish Alva residency.

*Student can receive Ranger Preview or Spring Showcase, not both.

Students must complete the Transfer Scholarship Application by July 15 and provide verification of your cumulative grade point average for best consideration. As a transfer student, you must have completed 24 credit hours in the prior year at the school from which you transfered for scholarship purposes. 

All Bridge Program students transfering from NOC must also fill out this form. 

Transfer Degree Scholarship

$1,900 toward tuition, 1/2 cost of semi-private room, one academic year. Associates degree and 3.5 to 4.0 CGPA. Must establish residency in Alva during academic year.

Transfer Degree Scholarship
$1,400 toward tuition, one academic year. Associates degree and 3.0 to 3.49 CGPA. Must establish residency in Alva during academic year.

Transfer Academic Scholarship
Up to $1,500 toward tuition, one academic year. Have a minimum 3.5 CGPA.

Spring Showcase
$500 for attending Spring Showcase during the spring semester.
Will need to attend classes at the Alva Campus and either live in the residence halls or establish Alva residency. 

Available for all undergraduate students. Qualifications vary. Awards are up to $2,000 in the following areas:

Fine Arts (Band, Choir, Speech/Theatre, Visual Arts)

• Students must be enrolled in corresponding academic course(s)

• Three groups available in choir: Concert Choir, University Choral and University Singers (by audition)

• Band scholarships available in Marching Band, Concert Band and Jazz Band (by audition)

• Band members must attend all athletic pep band and concert performances

• Additional scholarship monies for students in All State Choir and All State Band

• Speech/Theatre students are expected to participate in theatre events/activities, which can be on- or off-stage

• Additional monies available through an on-campus audition for Band, Choir and Speech/Theatre (includes portfolio presentation and interview for theatre)

• Visual Arts students are expected to participate in class/program activities (ask for scholarship amounts) 

Mass Communication

• Mass Communication students must be employed as a campus media staff member or enrolled in a practicum course each semester, as well as participate in student media organizations.

Contact the Office of Financial Aid at jahaight@nwosu.edu for more information on Participation Scholarships.

To apply use the Freshman Scholarship Form, the Transfer Scholarship Form or the Continuing Student Scholarship Application.

The Northwestern Foundation Office coordinates the creation and endowment of scholarships donated by our dedicated alumni and friends for use within our academic departments.

Departmental scholarships are available for continuing students in: (click the link for the department's form)

• Agriculture
• Business
• Education
• Fine Arts (band, choir, theatre, visual arts)
• English, Foreign Language & Humanities (English, Spanish)
• Enid Campus
• Health and Sports Science Education
• Mass Communication
• Math/Computer Science
• Natural Science
• Nursing
• Psychology
• Social Science (Criminal Justice, History, Political Science)
• Social Work
• Woodward Campus

For a list of departmental scholarships, visit  https://ournorthwestern.org/make-an-investment/scholarships. This page also includes numerous miscellaneous unspecified scholarships.

Campus Club President
A scholarship of $1,000 per semester to the President of any club approved through the Student Government Association (SGA). Club must meet minimum requirements as an active club set by SGA to receive scholarship.  

Student Government Association Officers
SGA officers receive tuition scholarships: President, 16 hours each semester; Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary each receive eight hours each semester.

President’s Leadership Class
$2,000 toward tuition and $750 toward other university expenses. Contact the Recruitment Office for details.

Northwestern Scholar Ambassadors 
The Northwestern Scholar Ambassadors (NSA) are a group of academically high achievers with outstanding personalities. NSA members serve as student ambassadors to the university. This scholarship may be awarded along with others, providing the student's total value of scholarships does not exceed the limit set forth by the Scholarship Committee. This scholarship may be annually renewable.

For more information about NSA contact Ethan Sacket in the Recruitment Office at egsacket@nwosu.edu. For information regarding opportunities on the Enid campus, please contact (580) 213-3102 or enidcampus@nwosu.edu.

Athletic scholarships are awarded through the athletic departments.

Please visit www.riderangersride.com, find the sport you are interested in and contact the head coach to ask about possible scholarships.

You also may click on the links below for each sport to fill out an interest form for recruits:

WOMEN'S SPORTS	MEN'S SPORTS
Basketball	Baseball
Cross Country	Basketball
Golf	Cross Country
Rodeo	Football
Soccer	Golf
Softball	Rodeo
Volleyball	Track and Field
Track and Field
Cheer (may qualify for participation scholarships)	Cheer (may qualify for participation scholarships)