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In-state National Merit Scholars


In-state Merit Finalists in the National Merit Program who name OSU as their first choice with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation are guaranteed the following package of cash and tuition scholarships for 2025-2026.

 

Award Description Amount
OSRHE Academic Scholars Award
  • Funds are used to pay for books, fees, housing, etc.

  • Enroll full-time

  • Maintain a 3.25 cumulative GPA

  • Must earn 24 credit hours by the end of the spring term each year.

  • You may request a 5th year of cash award from OSRHE in your senior year.

$6,500 per year cash scholarship for four years
Tuition Scholarship
  • Full waiver of in-state tuition for up to 5 years of undergraduate and some graduate study

  • Actual value varies, depending on tuition rates and number of hours attempted

  • Enroll full-time

  • Must maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA

$5,416 per year for up to five years (estimated)
National Merit Cash Scholarship
  • National Merit Finalists who specify OSU as first choice will be offered one of three Merit Scholar awards:

  • OSU-Sponsored Merit Scholars: students receive $2,000 per year in OSU cash scholarship for four years. Students must remain in good academic standing at OSU to receive the award in subsequent years.

  • National Merit-Sponsored Merit Scholars: students receive a one-time, $2,500 award from National Merit in their freshmen year. They receive a $1,500 cash award from OSU in their sophomore year and $2,000 per year in their junior and senior years, if they retain full eligibility for the OSRHE Academic Scholar cash award that year.

  • Corporate-Sponsored Merit Scholars: Awards vary considerably in duration and value. Corporate-Sponsored Merit Scholars receiving less than $2,000 per year receive a cash award from OSU sufficient to total $2,000 in combined OSU and corporate cash each year for up to four years (limited to $2,000 in any one year).

  • Total of $8,000 over a four-year period

  • Must remain in good academic standing
  • May also receive additional cash scholarship from your college
$2,000 per year for up to four years (estimated)
College Dean's Award
  • From the Dean of your Academic College
$2,000 per year for up to four years
Cowboy Achievement Award
  • Awarded your freshman year
$2,000 for one year
Cowboy Merit Award
  • Awarded your freshman year
$1,000 for one year
Total estimated scholarship package   $72,100*

The tuition scholarship may be used in undergraduate and graduate school but cannot be guaranteed for students in the OSU Center for Health Sciences or the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine (CHS and CVM students may request tuition scholarship from those colleges). The tuition scholarship normally applies to fall and spring terms only. Some restrictions, terms, and conditions apply.

*Scholarships awarded by other offices or organizations may be added to this total package, increasing your total scholarship award up to the cost of attendance. A student may only have one tuition scholarship in effect at any time.

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