Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship

Southwestern Oklahoma State University will provide a nonresident tuition scholarship (NRS) to a full-time student enrolling at SWOSU for the first-time if they meet one of the requirements below starting fall 2006. Nonresident scholarships are awarded for one academic year (fall semester through summer semester).  See the continuance requirement for information on continuing the scholarship past this first academic year. 

In addition to the requirements below, each student must meet regular standards for admission to the university.  For purposes of this policy a full-time student is one who is enrolled in a minimum of twelve hours during a regular semester or six hours during a summer semester.  Summer scholarships are available.  All grade point averages listed below are based on the 4.0 system.

1. First-time SWOSU students must meet one of the following requirements to receive a NRS:
   1. The student must be a United States citizen, permanent resident, or an eligible nonresident (ENR)* based on state law, who meets regular admission requirements.  A first-time freshman must qualify under SWOSU’s regular admission standards.  A transfer student must have a cumulative college GPA of at least 2.00.
   2. One of the student’s parents, grandparents, or legal guardians holds a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from SWOSU.  To be eligible, the student must complete a “Legacy Verification” form available in the Registrar’s Office or the legacy section of the freshman scholarship form.
   3. The student has been (1) selected for membership in, (2) agrees to participate in, and (3) if offered for university credit, enrolls in one of the following university activities:
      • Regularly scheduled performing organizations of the university’s Department of Music and Department of Communication & Theatre
      • Intercollegiate athletics
      • Intercollegiate forensics/debate/College Bowl
      • Elected cheerleader/Pom Pon Squad
      • Elected officer of SGA
      • Orientation Leader
      • President’s Leadership class
      • Collegiate Activities Board

   Note:  The Associate Provost for Academic and Student Services may designate other activities to qualify in this category.

2. Newly admitted international students receive no NRS except for those qualifying under 1B or 1C requirements starting fall 2006.

*An ENR must attend and graduate from an Oklahoma high school and present a signed and notarized affidavit form “Affidavit of Intent” (available in the Registrar’s Office) to receive resident tuition.

3. International students admitted prior to fall 2006 with continued enrollment are eligible for a NRS based on requirements in effect when they first enrolled prior to fall 2006   (Scholarship Handbook, 2005 available in Associate Provost’s office).
4. U.S. citizens receiving Nonresident Tuition Scholarships prior to fall 2006 will be evaluated for continuation based on rules in effect when they first enrolled at SWOSU.  These students must maintain a 3.00 minimum cumulative SWOSU grade point average and successfully complete at least 12 hours each fall and spring semester to be renewed for another academic year.  If the student chooses to attend summer school, he/she must complete 6 hours.  If the scholarship was based on participation in a university activity, continuance is based on meeting the requirements outlined in paragraph C, as well as maintaining a 2.00 SWOSU GPA.
5. When an undergraduate and/or professional student receives an initial NRS under 1A or 1B, the NRS will be continued for the next academic year if the following requirements are met:
   1. Student must complete 24 hours per academic year (fall+spring+summer). If the student enters SWOSU during the spring semester, 12 hours must be completed.  If the student enters SWOSU during the summer semester, 6 hours must be completed.
   2. The following scale will be used to determine the percentage of NRS the student will receive:
                           

   Cumulative SWOSU GPA	Percent Nonresident Tuition Waived
   3.30-4.00	100%
   2.75-3.29	50%

NOTE: The Office of Student Financial Services will check completed hours and student GPAs annually in August to determine eligibility for NRS continuance.

6. A student who receives a nonresident tuition scholarship for activities (as described in paragraph 1C) must be admitted to the university and be certified by sponsors of activities approved for participation in the nonresident tuition scholarship program.  These students must maintain a 2.00 SWOSU grade point average to continue the nonresident tuition scholarship.  These student lists shall be sent to the Associate Provost’s office for review and forwarded to the Office of Student Financial Services by August 1.
7. Combination of various university tuition scholarships is possible, but cannot exceed 18 hours of tuition.
8. An undergraduate student may lose the nonresident tuition scholarship because they stopped attending SWOSU, did not complete 24 hours the previous year, or the SWOSU cumulative grade point average dropped below minimum standards required. It may be reinstated when the student returns and completes an academic year of 24 hours with an approved cumulative SWOSU GPA as stated in requirement 5B.  
9. Scholarship appeals must be made in writing to the Chair of the Scholarship Committee (c/o Director of Student Financial Services).  A sub-committee will meet at the discretion of the committee chair to discuss these appeals.  Students will be notified in writing of the decision made.
10. A student may become active in an activity that qualifies them for a NRS after the beginning of the semester.  In that case, the NRS can be retroactive to that present semester.  Notification must be given by the organization sponsor to the business office so that the appropriate credit can be given to that student. 
11. Departments that offer scholarships cannot waive in-state tuition for non-resident students. OSRHE policy denies waiver of in-state tuition for non-resident students.
12. Certain special requirements apply to graduate students only.  All students admitted to the Graduate School at SWOSU and in good standing are eligible for a nonresident tuition scholarship.  Graduate students are not subject to minimum enrollment requirement (24 hours during the academic year), but must maintain the designated cumulative SWOSU GPA to continue eligibility for a NRS.  Summer nonresident tuition scholarships are available to graduate students without attending as a full-time student the previous spring. The Office of Student Financial Services will check student GPAs annually in August to determine eligibility for NRS continuance.

Cumulative SWOSU GPA	Percent Nonresident Tuition Waived
3.30-4.00	100%
2.75-3.29	50%

13. When a student continuing to the professional level of the College of Pharmacy receives an initial NRS under 1A or 1B, the NRS will be continued for subsequent academic years if the following requirements are met:
    1. Student must complete 24 hours per academic year (fall + spring+ summer). If the student enters SWOSU during the spring semester, 12 hours must be completed.  If the student enters SWOSU during the summer semester, 6 hours must be completed.
    2. The following scale will be used to determine the percentage of NRS the student will receive:

Cumulative SWOSU GPA	Percent Nonresident Tuition Waived
3.30-4.00	100%
2.75-3.29	50%

NOTE: The Office of Student Financial Services will check completed hours and student GPAs annually in August to determine eligibility for NRS continuance.

14. Zero level courses will be graded Satisfactory “S” or Unsatisfactory “U”.  These zero level courses do not count toward graduation and are not figured into the cumulative grade point average.  The zero level courses will count toward financial aid, scholarships, veteran’s benefits and athletic ability.
15. Certain requirements apply to students attending classes on the Sayre Campus.  The Dean of the Sayre campus awards out-of-state nonresident scholarships.  The award is determined by the Dean after the receipt of an application for scholarship completed by a nonresident student.  The application may be submitted by a nonresident student at any time prior to enrollment on the Sayre campus.  Once an award is made by the Dean, the student may retain that award provided they maintain satisfactory academic progress on the Sayre campus.  For the award to be maintained for a student continuing to the Weatherford campus, the student must be admitted under the transfer requirement of a cumulative college GPA of at least 2.0.  The student continues to receive the NRS under requirement 4.
16. Fifth year Scholarships may be available for student athletes when they complete eligibility for their respective sport and continue enrollment to complete their academic degree. Students must be within 30 hours of degree completion with at least a 2.0 GPA after the first semester of the award, and each subsequent semester, and with a cumulative GPA of 2.5.  The Athletic Department will generate the student list and send it to Student Financial Services office each semester for the next semester’s award.