Higher Education Scholarships

OSAGE NATION STUDENT HANDBOOK

The Osage Nation Scholarships Policies and Procedures are designed to influence and determine all major decisions and actions and all activities that take place within their boundaries. The ONSPP Student Handbook is published on or before May 15 of each year for the subsequent academic year.

• Osage Nation Scholarship Policy & Procedure Student Handbook 2026-27
• ON Scholarship Policy & Procedure Student Handbook 2025-26 (REVISED)
• Archived Student Handbooks

HIGHER EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP

The Osage Nation Higher Education Scholarship is available to Osage students pursuing post-secondary education at the associate level or beyond. It supports a wide range of educational choices, including associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs at accredited schools. Students must maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 and be in good standing to remain eligible for scholarship funding. Students may not simultaneously receive the Career Training and Higher Education scholarships.

The annual qualifying application opens on May 1 of each academic year. The 2026-2027 qualifying application must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. CT (central time) on June 15, 2026.(Terms: Fall 2026, Winter 2027, Spring 2027 & Summer 2027).

Link to the Higher Education Scholarship Application: https://learnmore.scholarsapply.org/osage/ (Electronic or request a printable PDF application)

Annual Qualifying Application Tutorial Video

Payment Request Application Tutorial Video

Step-By-Step Instructions (found on page 3)

Frequently Asked Questions

Scholarship America administers the Osage Nation Higher Education Scholarship Program. All inquiries regarding your application status and/or scholarship should be directed to Scholarship America at:

Toll-Free Phone: 855-758-8609
Email: OsageNation@scholarshipamerica.org

GRADUATE DEGREE AWARD

The Graduate Degree Award is a monetary sum awarded to Osage students upon earning a graduate or professional degree from a university. Students who have earned a master’s degree or doctorate can apply for the Graduate Degree Award using the link below:

• Graduate Degree Award Guidelines and Application

INTERNSHIP

The Osage Nation Education Department supports Osage students participating in a degree or certification program through the provision of our Internship Program. This program is designed to provide Osage students with work experience in their chosen field of study to better prepare them to enter the workforce upon graduation.

• Internship Application

STOLE/COMMENDATIONS

Stole/Commendations are available to Osage students who will participate in higher education commencement ceremonies after successful completion of a degree program.

CAREER TRAINING SCHOLARSHIP

The Osage Nation Career Training Scholarship is available to Osage students enrolled in a program that awards a certification or licensure at a state or nationally accredited training facility. Students must maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of a 2.0 and be in good standing to remain eligible for scholarship funding. Students may not receive the Higher Education Scholarship and Career Training Scholarship simultaneously.

ON Career Training Scholarship Policy & Procedures

ON Career Training Scholarship Application - Online

Additional Higher Education Scholarship Opportunities 

The Osage Nation Education Department administers five (5) endowed estate scholarships and two (2) annual scholarship donations each academic year. Each scholarship has unique eligibility requirements and students are encouraged to read the policies and procedures for each scholarship opportunity. These scholarships are awarded twice per year, once during the fall term and once during the spring term. To apply for these scholarships, students will submit one qualifying application each term in the online service portal. 

Important Scholarship Application Deadlines

Fall Term – Applications open July 1st and close September 15th

Spring Term – Applications open December 1st and close February 15th

How to Apply

Students can apply by going to the application page here: https://portal.osagenation-nsn.gov/TrustScholarships/Apply.

Available Scholarships 

Undergraduate students are eligible to apply for the: 

• Morris E. and Ethel Carlton Wheeler Trust Scholarship
• E. Ray Adkisson Scholarship
• Lily Peace Patterson Memorial Scholarship
• Gina M. Bennett Memorial Scholarship

Graduate and Post-Graduate students are eligible to apply for the: 

• Morris E. and Ethel Carlton Wheeler Trust Scholarship 
• Mary E. Tinker Scholarship 
• Lily Peace Patterson Memorial Scholarship
• Gina M. Bennett Memorial Scholarship

Students at OSU-IT in Okmulgee or Tri-County Tech in Bartlesville are eligible to apply for the: 

• John L. Rubel Scholarship

Students pursuing a degree in a medically-related field are eligible to apply for the: 

• Eugene Daniel Scholarship 

Scholarship Awards

Scholarship awards vary from one academic year to the next depending on budget limitations. Scholarships are awarded to the following number of students each year: 

• E. Ray Adkisson – 8 students per year; 4 students per term 
• Gina M. Bennett – 4 students per year; 2 students per term
• Eugene Daniel – 2 students per year; 1 student per term
• Lily Peace Patterson – 2 students per year; 1 student per term
• John L. Rubel – 6 students per year; 3 student per term 
• Mary E. Tinker – 14 students per year; 7 students per term
• Morris E. and Ethel Carlton Wheeler – 14 students per year, 7 students per term

Policies and Procedures

To learn more about each scholarship, the yearly award amounts, and their policies and procedures, please see the links below. 

Estate Scholarships 2026-2027 Policies and Precedures

Gina M Bennett Memorial Scholarship 2026-2027 Policies and Procedures

Lily Peace Patterson Scholarship 2026-2027 Policies and Procedures

ACADEMIC ADVISOR SUPPORT SERVICES

The Academic Advisor provides a student-centered approach to academic success and problem-solving in the challenges of transitioning to higher education. If you are in need of assistance, please contact the Education Department.

CERTIFICATION AND LICENSURE TESTING PROGRAM

Assistance is provided to Osages nationwide for the cost of one certification or licensure test fee that is needed to gain viable employment. This could include but is not limited to bar exam, CPA, CNA, CLEET, EMT, real estate license, and teacher certification.

NATIONWIDE ACADEMIC TUTORING PROGRAM - POST-SECONDARY STUDENTS 

The Nationwide Academic Tutoring Program (NATP) is an additional academic resource provided by the Osage Nation Education Department to assist support in academic tutoring through the online Tutor.com platform. Osage students enrolled at a post-secondary institution are eligible to apply.

• APPLICATION
• POLICY & PROCEDURES