University of Oklahoma - David & Sally Polk Howard Scholarship 2026: $30,000 Annually for Pawhuska Graduates
OU.EDU OFFICIAL $120,000 TOTAL LAST-DOLLAR FALL 2026
What is David & Sally Polk Howard Scholarship?
This scholarship was made possible through a generous gift from the estate of David G. Howard, a Pawhuska native and proud OU alumnus (Business degree 1960) and his wife Sally Polk Howard (Education degree 1961). After OU, David became a successful entrepreneur owning a mortgage lending company, while Sally dedicated over four decades to philanthropy and volunteering.
According to OU President Joseph Harroz Jr., "Through the extraordinary generosity of David Howard and Sally Polk Howard, Pawhuska students will have a clear and powerful pathway to an OU education – one that removes financial barriers and unlocks their full potential."
The scholarship is a last-dollar scholarship, meaning OU will combine all your other grants and scholarships (federal, state, institutional) and then cover the remaining gap up to $30,000 per year. It is designed to make OU debt-free for Pawhuska students.
Quick Facts - At a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Scholarship Name | David & Sally Polk Howard Scholarship |
| University | University of Oklahoma (OU) - Norman Campus |
| Eligible Students | Graduates of Pawhuska High School, Pawhuska, OK |
| Amount | Up to $30,000 per year, for 4 years (Up to $120,000 total) |
| Type | Last-Dollar Scholarship (covers remaining after other aid) |
| Starts | Fall 2026 - 2026-2027 Academic Year |
| Apply to OU By | February 1 of Senior Year |
| FAFSA Deadline | March 1 of Senior Year |
| Renewable? | Yes, annually for 4 years with conditions |
| Official Source | ou.edu - Office of Admissions & Financial Aid |
Scholarship Benefits - What Does $30,000 Cover?
Who is Eligible? - 5 Requirements to Qualify (2026-2027)
To qualify for the David & Sally Polk Howard Scholarship for Fall 2026 intake, you must meet ALL of these:
1. Graduate from Pawhuska High School
You must complete your entire senior year at Pawhuska High School in Pawhuska, OK. Transfer students who finish senior year elsewhere are not eligible. You must graduate in Spring 2026 or later.
2. Apply to OU by February 1
Submit OU undergraduate admission application by Feb 1 of your senior year at apply.ou.edu. No separate scholarship application needed - you are automatically considered when admitted.
3. Be Admitted as First-Time, Full-Time Freshman
You must be admitted to OU as a first-time, full-time freshman entering directly from high school. Transfer students or returning students are not eligible for initial award.
4. File FAFSA by March 1
File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1 of your senior year. This is mandatory because last-dollar calculation requires federal aid determination. Use OU School Code: 003184.
5. Enroll Full-Time Each Semester
You must enroll as a full-time student (minimum 12 credit hours per semester) at OU Norman campus for Fall 2026.
How to Renew Each Year - Keep Your $30,000
| Renewal Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| FAFSA | File FAFSA on or before March 1 every year |
| Enrollment | Be enrolled full-time at OU and maintain four-year graduation track |
| SAP | Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) - minimum 2.0 GPA, complete 67% of attempted credits |
| Continuous Enrollment | Stay continuously enrolled Fall and Spring; summers optional |
Scholarship is renewable for up to 8 semesters (4 years). If you graduate early in 3.5 years, unused semester is forfeited.
How to Apply - Step by Step Guide for Pawhuska Students
What is Last-Dollar Scholarship? Explained Simply
Many students confuse last-dollar with full-ride. Here's difference:
- Example 1: OU tuition + fees = $15,000. You get Pell Grant $7,000 + OU Merit $5,000 = $12,000 total gift aid. Gap = $3,000. Howard Scholarship pays $3,000. You pay $0, but total aid = $15,000 (not $30k).
- Example 2: You live on campus, total Cost of Attendance = $28,000. You have $8,000 in other aid. Howard Scholarship pays $20,000 to reach $28,000 (capped at $30k). You get full coverage!
- Example 3: You already have $32,000 in other scholarships (National Merit etc.). Since cap is $30k combined, Howard Scholarship would be $0 because you already exceed cap. But this is rare for most Pawhuska students.
Key: Howard Scholarship never reduces your other gift aid. It only adds to reach $30k.
About Pawhuska High School & OU Connection
Pawhuska is the county seat of Osage County, Oklahoma, population ~3,200, famous as hometown of David Howard and as setting of Killers of the Flower Moon. Pawhuska High School serves ~300 students. Despite small size, it now has one of the most generous place-based scholarships in Oklahoma.
Jeff Blahnik, VP for Enrollment Management at OU said: "David and Sally understood that an OU legacy is more than just what one can achieve, but also what one can give back. This scholarship opens doors for Pawhuska students."
University of Oklahoma - Why Choose OU?
- R1 Research University - Highest research activity, Carnegie Classification
- Flagship University of Oklahoma - Founded 1890, 28,000+ students
- Affordability Leader - Crimson Commitment, OU Onward ($15,532 guarantee for families $60k-$75k), and now Howard Scholarship
- Sooner Family - Strong alumni network, career support
- 150+ Majors - Business, Engineering, Education, Health Sciences etc.
Important Dates for Fall 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| OU Application Opens | August 1, 2025 |
| Apply to OU Deadline for Howard Scholarship | February 1, 2026 |
| FAFSA Deadline | March 1, 2026 |
| OU Admission Decision | Rolling, by March 2026 |
| Financial Aid Award Letters | March-April 2026 |
| Enrollment Deposit Deadline | May 1, 2026 |
| Classes Start Fall 2026 | August 24, 2026 (Tentative) |
Pawhuska Seniors - Your OU Journey Starts Now!
Up to $120,000 over 4 years waiting for you. No separate essay. Just apply to OU and file FAFSA.
Apply to OU Now at apply.ou.eduQuestions? Email admissions@ou.edu | Find your OU Rep: go2.ou.edu/rep | Official: ou.edu/howard-scholarship
Frequently Asked Questions
Ans: Yes, if you meet 5 requirements (graduate Pawhuska, apply by Feb 1, admitted full-time freshman, file FAFSA by March 1, enroll full-time). No separate application or essay.
Ans: Oklahoma Promise is applied first, then Howard Scholarship covers remaining gap up to $30k. You can have both.
Ans: Indirectly yes. Since Howard ensures total gift aid up to $30k, which exceeds tuition ($15k), remaining can cover housing, books, fees.
Ans: You must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) - generally 2.0 GPA and complete 67% credits. No separate high GPA requirement.
Ans: Scholarship is for 8 semesters max. If you graduate in 7 semesters, 8th is forfeited.
Ans: No income limit for Howard Scholarship itself, but you must file FAFSA. All Pawhuska graduates qualify regardless of family income.
Disclaimer: Based on official announcement from ou.edu - University of Oklahoma Announces New Scholarship Benefiting Graduates of Pawhuska High School (Fall 2026) and Terms of David & Sally Polk Howard Scholarship page as of Oct 2026. Always verify on ou.edu/admissions and OU Financial Aid for final terms.
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