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Services > Higher Education Grants, Scholarships and Incentives

Higher Education Grants, Scholarships and Incentives

COVID-19 UPDATES

Out of an abundance of caution and to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus, or COVID-19, certain Chickasaw Nation events, classes, facilities, etc., will be postponed, canceled or closed. For a complete list of postponements, cancellations or closures, visit the COVID-19 INFORMATION page. We will continue to update the list as the situation progresses.

Grant and Scholarship Information:

Higher Education Grants

The higher education grant may be awarded to undergraduate, graduate or doctoral students who maintain a 2.0 GPA or higher each semester.

General Scholarship

A 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 and classification, and an incentive is available based on 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. 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 boundaries. Applicants must submit one letter of recommendation and a 500-word essay. Deadline is Sept. 15.

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

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

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 and on-campus housing and residence 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.

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

A scholarship for citizens pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing at East Central University (ECU) is also available.

Chickasaw students accepted into the nursing program at ECU are eligible to apply. A limited number of scholarships are available.

The award will cover full cost of tuition, fees and on-campus housing and residence 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 deadlines for Holisso Pisachi Education and Abeka Apisachi Nursing Scholarships:

Fall- July 31
Spring- Feb. 15
Summer- July 1

For more information or to apply, contact Chickasaw Nation Higher Education at (580) 421-7711.

Fee Assistance Grant

Attend three credit hours or more each semester
Maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher

Textbook Grant

Higher education students enrolled in undergraduate, graduate or doctoral programs 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+ hours may be awarded up to $500 per term.

Funds are awarded through a Textbook Visa Card (valid for textbooks only).

Application periods:

Spring - Dec. 1–Feb. 15
Summer - May 1–July 1
Fall - July 1–Sept. 15

To apply for textbook reimbursement, submit receipts by:

Summer terms – July 1
Spring term – March 15
Fall terms – October 15

Check your Textbook Card Balance

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.

Eligible students include those who are in their final semester of attendance or recently graduated from an accredited high school and plan to attend college.

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

Native American Business Scholars Academy, Oklahoma City University

Graduation Stole Program

*Must earn an associate's degree or higher at an accredited college or university

*Eligibility is limited to one award per student per degree

You Provide:

  • Chickasaw citizenship card
  • Payment receipts or a copy of pre-payment registration
  • Completed applications

Eligibility:

  • Chickasaw citizens

You Provide (Grants and Scholarships):

  • High school or official college transcript
  • Schedule of classes

Laptop Scholarship

Full-time students enrolled in college (sophomore level or higher) or obtaining a college degree with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 are eligible for the laptop scholarship one time during their college career.

License and Certification Fee Assistance Program

This program provides assistance to college students with license and certification fees associated with their chosen degree programs.

Students are eligible to receive assistance one time per license or certification for up to $500.

Students requesting assistance are required to submit a copy of his or her certification received an original detailed invoice or receipt. Application to apply for exam or license fees and pre-payment registration may also be accepted.

All license and certification fee information must be submitted within six months of testing.

You Provide:

  • Chickasaw citizenship card
  • Payment receipts or a copy of pre-payment registration
  • Completed applications

Eligibility:

  • Chickasaw citizens and full-time employees

You Provide (Grants and Scholarships):

  • High school or official college transcript
  • Schedule of classes

Incentive Information:

College Graduation Fee Reimbursement

The College Graduation Fee Reimbursement program assists Chickasaw college graduates with caps, gowns, invitations and other expenses incurred with graduating. This program is on a reimbursement basis only. The deadline to apply is no later than six months after degree is completed. The graduation fee is available up to $150 on a reimbursement basis.

Eligibility:

  • Chickasaw citizen
  • College or professional graduates only

You Provide:

  • Receipts for costs incurred

Degree Completion Incentive

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

Other Information

Additional grant and scholarship information is available on the Education and Career Links page.

Scholarship opportunities also exist through Chickasaw Foundation. Visit their Scholarships page for more information.

Additional Resources:

Oklahoma State University (OSU) Center for Sovereign Nations

Native 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 American Indian 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.

Chickasaw Nation Recruitment and Retention Program

Chickasaw citizens attending the University of Oklahoma, the University of Central Oklahoma, Murray State College or Oklahoma Community College have access to on-campus partners to aid them in their academic success. The Chickasaw Nation Recruitment and Retention Program is designed to meet the academic needs of students by assisting in the development of their academic skills, identifying campus and tribal resources, creating networks of support on and off campus and building a stronger connection to their Chickasaw culture.

Learn more on the Chickasaw Nation Recruitment and Retention Program page.

Online Applications

Service Area

Both

This service is available both inside and outside the Chickasaw Nation's boundaries

Contact Information

Phone:
(580) 421-7711

Location

Douglas H. Johnston Building
300 Rosedale Road
Ada, Oklahoma 74820

(580) 421-7711