George and Donna Nigh Public Service Scholarship
Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education with the George and Donna Nigh Institute
$1,000 one-year scholarship for an outstanding full-time undergraduate preparing for a public-service career, nominated by an Oklahoma college (one per school).
- How much
- $1,000 (one year, not renewable)
- Who qualifies
- Oklahoma resident; full-time undergraduate at an Oklahoma public or private college; degree program leading to a public service career; exceptional academic achievement; one nominee per institution.
- For undergrads
- For public service students
- When to apply
- Check dates Annual; colleges submit nominees before the spring semester.
- How to apply
- College presidents are invited to submit one nominee before the spring semester
- Ask your college how it chooses its nominee
- A Nigh Institute advisory committee approves awards
- What you'll need
- school nomination
- Last checked
- October 25, 2026, against the official page (secure.okcollegestart.org)
The details
Established by the 1999 Legislature. Each Oklahoma public or private college or university may nominate one recipient a year. Recipients must be Oklahoma residents, full-time undergraduates in a degree program leading to a public service career (as determined by the institution), and show exceptional academic achievement (GPA, class rank, awards, honors, recommendations, activities). Recipients take part in Nigh Institute public-service seminars. $1,000, awarded yearly, not renewable.
More money from Oklahoma
- Oklahoma Rising Scholars Award (formerly Academic Scholars Program)Per year, entry year 2026 automatic qualifiers: $24,000 (research universities), $13,000 (regional), $12,500 (community/two-year colleges); institutional nominees: $4,000 / $3,200 / $3,000; plus a tuition waiver at public colleges
- State Regents Workforce Ready ScholarshipOne-time: $7,000 (research institutions), $5,000 (regional), $3,000 (two-year)
- Chiropractic Education Scholarship ProgramUp to $6,000 per year (varies with appropriation)
- Regional University Baccalaureate Scholarship$3,500 per year plus a resident tuition waiver
- Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant (OTAG)The lesser of 75% of enrollment costs or up to $1,500 (community colleges and career tech centers), $2,000 (regional universities), $3,000 (research universities) per year
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Texas
- Federal aid and national scholarships (open to students in any state)
- The FAFSA in plain English (2027-28)
- Should I file the FAFSA if I don't think I'll qualify?
- FAFSA deadlines by state (2027-28)
- The FAFSA for parents: what you need to do
- How to save on textbooks: free, rented and cheaper options
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.