University of Tulsa Scholarships (2026–2027)

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Last Updated on October 22, 2026
What This Page Covers:
  • Tuition, housing, and average family net price
  • Automatic merit ranges and qualifier benchmarks
  • Flagship and hidden-gem awards
  • Honors and stacking strategy

📊 Admissions Snapshot

  • Acceptance Rate: ~70%
  • Middle 50% ACT: 28
  • Middle 50% SAT: 1260
  • Average GPA: 3.7
💡 The Big News: UTulsa Just Reset Its Price

Starting with students who enroll in fall 2027, UTulsa’s tuition and required fees drop from roughly $54,000 a year to a flat $25,000, and that rate is locked in for all four years. Housing and meals are on top of that (about $17,820 for a standard dorm and meal plan). Here’s the part a lot of families will miss: merit scholarships are being resized to fit the new price, so award letters will show smaller scholarship numbers than older websites or an older sibling’s offer. Compare what you’ll actually pay, not how big the scholarship sounds.

Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →

📌 University of Tulsa at a Glance

🏆 Full tuition available (National Merit Semifinalist Package & Presidential Scholarship)
Average Net Price
$25,687/year
Average paid.
Automatic Merit
Holistic award; amounts not published
No separate application.
Scholarships Tracked
14 opportunities
2 automatic · 2 competitive · 10 hidden gem
Typical Qualifiers
Holistic review: GPA, rigor, optional ACT/SAT
Entry-level benchmarks for automatic merit.
Testing Policy
Test-optional
Superscores ACT/SAT.
Key Deadlines
Priority: Dec 15 • FAFSA: TBD
Full-Tuition / Full-Ride
National Merit Semifinalist Package & Presidential Scholarship
Honors College
Honors Program Available
Financial Aid Forms
FAFSA Only
🚨 Easy-to-Miss “Gotchas” at The University of Tulsa (Read This First)

  • National Merit Semifinalists: November 1 is the whole ballgame. UTulsa’s full tuition plus housing package requires every admission item, an official campus visit, an in-person interview on campus, and two recommendation letters by Nov. 1. Miss one piece and the package is off the table.
  • Test-optional for admission is not test-optional for the Presidential Scholarship. The full-tuition Presidential award needs an official ACT (28+ superscore) or SAT (1300+ superscore), a separate application with a resume, and an in-person campus visit, all by Feb. 1.
  • December 15 is the date that matters for regular merit. Files completed after the Dec. 15 priority scholarship deadline only get merit if money is left, and a student has to be admitted before Aug. 1 to be considered for UTulsa scholarships at all.
  • The big awards stand alone. The National Merit package can’t be combined with other UTulsa money, and the full-tuition music awards can’t be combined with university scholarships. Plan around the single best award, not a stack.
  • The Net Price Calculator is still running old math. As of October 2026, UTulsa’s calculator says its estimates are based on 2026-2027 figures, not the new $25,000 price. Run it again once UTulsa posts the 2027-2028 update this fall.

FAQ

Is this college test-optional? Yes, for admission. University of Tulsa is test-optional for admission.

What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 28; SAT: 1260.

Average net price? About $25,687/year after aid.

Does this school use waivers/reciprocity? No. It is a private school, so everyone pays the same rate.

Sources:
UTulsa Friends of Finance Scholarship page: https://utulsa.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admission/special-programs/friends-of-finance-scholarship/
UTulsa Scholarships and Awards page (transfer section): https://utulsa.edu/tuition-aid/scholarships/
UTulsa National Merit Semifinalist Package page: https://utulsa.edu/tuition-aid/scholarships/nmsf/
UTulsa Presidential Scholarship page: https://utulsa.edu/tuition-aid/scholarships/presidential-scholarship/
UTulsa School of Music Auditions page: https://utulsa.edu/academics/arts/academics/departments/music/music-auditions/
UTulsa School of Art Scholarship Application: https://applytulsa.utulsa.edu/register/artscholarshipapplication
UTulsa TURC page: https://utulsa.edu/research/research-opportunities/turc/
UTulsa Veteran Scholarships page: https://utulsa.edu/tuition-aid/scholarships/veteran-scholarships/
CollegeScorecard / Admissions: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/

💰 Cost of Attendance at University of Tulsa: 2026–2027 Rates

Figures verified against official sources in October 2026.

📅 Planning for 2027–2028? These are the 2026–2027 rates, the newest University of Tulsa has published. Colleges usually release next year's costs in the spring, and we update this page when they do.

Budgeting tip: costs typically rise 2% to 5% a year. For 2027–2028, plan on roughly $900 to $2,100 more than the total below.

✔ Same price for every student, no matter which state you live in.

All students: billed cost per year
$42,820
Tuition, fees, housing, and meals for two semesters
Tuition & mandatory fees $25,000
Housing & meals (typical) $17,820
Total billed cost $42,820

Average federal net price: $25,687 per year. This is what first-time, full-time students who received grant aid paid after grants and scholarships, based on the most recent federal data. It counts books and living costs, so it can run higher than the billed total above. Families who got no grants are not in this average, so many middle-income families pay more. New to Net Price & SAI? Read our guide.

📌 Which Year Are These Numbers?

UTulsa has already published its 2027-2028 rates, and that’s what the table above uses: $23,400 in tuition plus a $1,600 university fee ($25,000 total), and $17,820 for a double room with the All Access meal plan. That’s $42,820 in direct costs for a fall 2027 freshman, before any scholarships. Books, travel, and personal spending are extra.

Same Price From Every State

UTulsa is private, so there’s no out-of-state upcharge to fight and no waiver to chase. A student from Dallas, Kansas City, or Memphis pays the same $25,000 for tuition and fees as a student from Tulsa. For families outside Oklahoma, that changes the math compared with a public flagship back home, where out-of-state tuition can run well past that.

FAQ: Cost of Attendance at The University of Tulsa

Is UTulsa really $25,000 a year?
For tuition and required fees, yes. Starting in fall 2027, full-time undergraduates pay $23,400 in tuition plus a $1,600 university fee. Housing and meals add about $17,820, so the full direct bill is about $42,820 before scholarships or aid.

Is the $25,000 rate locked in?
For first-time, full-time students who start in fall 2027, UTulsa says the tuition and fee rate is locked for four years. Housing, dining, and textbooks are not part of that promise, so budget for those to move.

Why does the average net price above look higher than $25,000?
The federal net price includes housing and meals, and it was calculated under UTulsa’s old pricing, when tuition and fees ran about $54,000. Treat it as a rough benchmark. Your real number depends on your merit award, any need-based aid, and the new tuition rate.

Will my student’s merit scholarship be smaller now?
In dollars, probably. UTulsa has said scholarship amounts may be adjusted to fit the new tuition structure. That doesn’t mean you pay more. Compare the out-of-pocket total from each offer, not the size of the award.

Does Oklahoma’s Promise still work at UTulsa?
Yes. The State of Oklahoma pays UTulsa $182 per credit hour for Oklahoma’s Promise students, and UTulsa says the tuition change doesn’t affect that rate.

Is the Net Price Calculator accurate for fall 2027?
Not yet. As of October 2026, UTulsa’s calculator says it uses 2026-2027 figures and will be updated in the fall once rates and scholarship awards are set. Run it now for a rough idea, then run it again after the update.

Does UTulsa require the CSS Profile?
UTulsa’s aid pages only ask for the FAFSA (school code 003185). The FAFSA opens Oct. 1, and UTulsa asks families to file as soon as they can because some federal grant and work-study money is limited.

Sources:
https://utulsa.edu/tuition-aid/tuition-costs/cost-undergraduate/
https://utulsa.edu/access-to-excellence/
https://utulsa.edu/tuition-aid/net-price-calculator/
https://utulsa.edu/tuition-aid/financial-aid/financial-aid-process/applying-for-aid/

📅 UTulsa Scholarship Timeline (Simple Version)

  • November 1: National Merit Semifinalist Package. Everything in, including the campus visit and interview.
  • December 15: Priority scholarship deadline for regular merit.
  • February 1: Presidential Scholarship application and Honors College application.
  • February 24: Last day to audition for music scholarships.
  • March 1: School of Art Scholarship application (send the portfolio too).
  • May 1: Commit and accept any competitive award.

Parent rule of thumb: if your student is even thinking about UTulsa, get the application done before Thanksgiving. Most of the money is decided by mid-December.

Automatic Merit Scholarships at The University of Tulsa

Every admitted first-year domestic student is automatically reviewed for merit, so there’s no separate scholarship form. UTulsa doesn’t publish a GPA and test score chart, though. Awards come from a holistic look at grades, course rigor, test scores (if sent), and the rest of the application. Get the complete file in by December 15 to be first in line for the money.
Find your student's tier
Enter the numbers you have. We'll highlight the automatic award your student would actually get and tuck the rest out of the way. Leave it blank to browse everything.
Residency
Based on published cutoffs for entering freshmen. Always verify with the college before finalizing plans.
One award, not a pile. Colleges apply your student's single best automatic award. Automatic scholarships almost never stack with each other, though some stack with housing, departmental, or outside money. The stacking notes on each card tell you which.
Automatic
University Merit Scholarship
📅 Deadline: December 15
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Varies
✔ Stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Applies to tuition only. Combines with outside private scholarships, Oklahoma state aid, and federal grants. It does not combine with the National Merit Semifinalist Package or the full-tuition music awards, and the full-tuition Presidential Scholarship already covers what this award would pay.
💡
Strategic Detail
Every admitted first-year domestic applicant is automatically reviewed for a UTulsa merit scholarship, so the admission application is the scholarship application. Awards are yearly, split half to fall and half to spring, and apply to tuition only. UTulsa does not publish merit tiers or dollar ranges. With the new $25,000 tuition and fee rate starting fall 2027, the university has said scholarship amounts may be adjusted to fit the new price, so judge an offer by the bottom line rather than the size of the award.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Nearly every admitted first-year domestic student receives some merit. Bigger awards follow strong GPAs, a rigorous transcript with AP, IB, or dual credit, and, when submitted, strong ACT or SAT scores. UTulsa lists GPA, test scores, high school curriculum, academic accomplishments, recommendation letters, and writing samples as the factors it weighs.
Automatic
International Baccalaureate Scholarship
📅 Deadline: No separate deadline. Send IB diploma documentation with your admission file and aim for the December 15 priority scholarship date.
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
$1,250/yr
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.0+ GPA
✚
Stacking & Combining
Adds on top of the university merit scholarship and outside awards, applied to tuition. Does not combine with the National Merit Semifinalist Package.
💡
Strategic Detail
UTulsa awards an International Baccalaureate merit scholarship to students who finish the full IB diploma with at least a 3.0 high school GPA, for up to eight semesters or until the first degree. UTulsa's own pages disagree on the amount: the main scholarships page, updated October 2026 after the tuition reset, lists $1,250 per year, while the older IB admissions page still says $3,000. We show the newer, lower figure. Confirm yours on the award notice.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students who complete the full IB diploma, not just individual IB courses or certificates, with a 3.0 or higher GPA and who enroll full time.
Data last verified Oct 21, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.

Note: UTulsa’s merit awards cover tuition only and are paid half in fall and half in spring. With the new $25,000 tuition rate, the dollar amounts on award letters are smaller than they used to be. That’s expected and doesn’t mean your student got shortchanged.

Automatic Merit FAQs (University of Tulsa)

Do we have to apply separately for UTulsa merit scholarships?
No. The admission application is the scholarship application. The only big award with its own application is the Presidential Scholarship.

How much is UTulsa’s merit scholarship?
UTulsa doesn’t publish amounts or tiers, and it has said awards may be adjusted to fit the new $25,000 price. The best preview is the Net Price Calculator, but it’s still running on 2026-2027 numbers until UTulsa updates it this fall.

What happens if we apply after December 15?
You’re still considered, but only as long as funding lasts. Your student also has to be admitted before Aug. 1 (for fall entry) to be eligible for UTulsa scholarships at all.

Do test scores matter for merit if UTulsa is test-optional?
They can help. UTulsa lists ACT and SAT scores among the things it weighs, so strong scores are worth sending. If the scores would pull the file down, your student can leave them off and still be considered.

Is there an extra award for the IB diploma?
Yes. Students who finish the full IB diploma with at least a 3.0 GPA get an IB Merit Scholarship on top of regular merit. UTulsa’s pages disagree on the amount: the main scholarships page (updated after the tuition change) says $1,250 a year, while an older IB page says $3,000. Check the award notice for the real figure.

Do these scholarships renew?
Yes, as long as your student stays enrolled full time. The IB award runs up to eight semesters or until the first degree.

Sources:
https://utulsa.edu/tuition-aid/scholarships/
https://utulsa.edu/admissions/apply/first-year-domestic-students/
https://utulsa.edu/admissions/apply/other-students/international-baccalaureate-students/

🏆 Flagship Scholarships (Competitive Scholarships)

UTulsa has two headline awards, and both cover full tuition: the National Merit Semifinalist Package (full tuition plus basic housing) and the Presidential Scholarship (full tuition). Each has its own checklist and an early deadline. Neither one shows up automatically, so put both dates on the fridge now.

✅ Can You Stack Scholarships at UTulsa?

Aid Type Stacks? UTulsa Parent Translation
National Merit Semifinalist Package No Stands alone. No other UTulsa money on top. Outside scholarships can be added if the outside group allows it.
Presidential Scholarship Replaces merit It already covers full tuition, so there’s no tuition left for regular merit to pay. Outside and federal or state aid can help with housing and meals.
Regular Merit + IB Award Yes The IB diploma award sits on top of the regular merit scholarship. Both apply to tuition.
Full-Tuition Music Awards No Can’t be combined with any university scholarship or the UTulsa Grant. The smaller $1,000 to $2,000 music awards are a different story.
Department Awards (Finance, Art) Check the letter UTulsa doesn’t publish a rule. If they’re listed next to merit on the offer, you’re stacking.
Pell, Oklahoma’s Promise, Outside Scholarships Usually These layer on top, up to the total cost of attendance. File the FAFSA early.

The honest take: UTulsa is one of the most National Merit friendly schools in the country, and the Presidential Scholarship is a real shot at free tuition for students with top grades and a 28+ ACT. But both are all-or-nothing processes with early, firm deadlines. A student who’s a strong fit but misses the campus visit or the Nov. 1 interview loses the award, not just a few points.

Full TuitionAutomaticnational merit
National Merit Semifinalist Package
📅 Deadline: November 1  ·  📢 Results: Emailed once UTulsa confirms Semifinalist status; Intent to Enroll due May 1
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Full Tuition
full tuition (excluding summers) plus basic on-campus housing
✘ Not stackable
🏫 4.0+ GPAMust be a National Merit Semifinalist with a minimum 4.0 weighted GPA. Students at schools without weighted GPAs are reviewed individually.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Cannot be combined with other UTulsa funding or scholarships. Outside scholarships may be added if the outside organization allows it.
💡
Strategic Detail
UTulsa's highest academic award for fall 2027 entrants: full tuition (excluding summers) for four years, with the option to petition for a fifth, plus basic on-campus housing (upgrades at the family's cost). Students must take at least 12 hours a semester (15 recommended) and make steady progress toward a degree. If the student also receives the $750 university-sponsored National Merit Finalist award, that money is applied to the housing portion of the package.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Admitted National Merit Semifinalists with a 4.0 weighted GPA who get every piece in by November 1, including an in-person campus visit and an on-campus interview, and who then name UTulsa as their first-choice school with National Merit.
Full TuitionApp Requiredpipeline
Presidential Scholarship
📅 Deadline: February 1  ·  📢 Results: No later than April 1; accept by May 1
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Full Tuition
full tuition (excluding summers)
✘ Not stackable
⚠  Separate application, official ACT or SAT, and in-person visit required by Feb. 1
✎ ~28 ACT✎ ~1300 SAT👥 ~About 10% of qualified applicants winners/yrACT superscore 28+ or SAT superscore 1300+, plus at least one of: top 5% class rank; College Board National Recognition Program scholar in the top 10%; or a 4.0 weighted GPA (schools without weighted GPAs reviewed individually). Transfers with a 3.7+ college GPA may also apply for fall entry.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Covers full tuition, so it takes the place of the regular merit award. Outside scholarships and federal or state aid can still help with housing, meals, and fees.
📄
How to Apply
By February 1: apply for admission (or submit the Direct Admission onboarding form), have your school send an official transcript, send an official ACT or SAT score, submit the Presidential Scholarship application with a one-page resume and short answers, and complete an official in-person campus visit. A past official visit counts. Optional but strongly suggested: meet your admission counselor and include a 45-second video link.
Selection criteria: Holistic review across UTulsa's four A criteria: academic achievements, affinity for UTulsa, activities and accomplishments, and aspirations and ambitions.
✎ Essays🌟 Finalist Event
💡
Strategic Detail
Full tuition (excluding summers) for up to eight semesters or until the bachelor's degree, whichever comes first. Recipients carry at least 15 hours a semester and attend university events. UTulsa admission is test-optional, but this award requires an official ACT or SAT score. There is no waitlist. Families still budget for housing, meals, and fees.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students who clear the score floor and one of the class-rank or GPA routes, then make a strong case on the four A factors UTulsa grades: academic achievement, affinity for UTulsa, activities and accomplishments, and aspirations. Roughly 1 in 10 qualified applicants win. UTulsa strongly suggests meeting your admission counselor and adding the optional 45-second video.
Data last verified Oct 21, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.

❓ Flagship / Competitive Scholarship FAQs

What does UTulsa’s National Merit Semifinalist Package cover?
Full tuition (not summers) for four years, with the option to petition for a fifth, plus basic on-campus housing. Students take at least 12 hours a semester (15 is recommended). If the student also gets the $750 university-sponsored National Merit Finalist award, that money goes toward the housing part of the package. See our National Merit guide for how the process works nationally.

What’s the deadline for the National Merit package?
November 1. By then UTulsa needs every admission item, an official campus visit, an in-person interview on campus, and two letters of recommendation (one academic, one non-academic). The Common App School Report doesn’t count as a letter. Your student also has to name UTulsa as their first choice with National Merit and commit by May 1.

Who can apply for the Presidential Scholarship?
Students with an ACT superscore of 28+ or SAT superscore of 1300+ who also meet one of these: top 5% of their class, a College Board National Recognition Program scholar in the top 10%, or a 4.0 weighted GPA.

What’s due for the Presidential Scholarship, and when?
Everything by February 1: the admission application, an official transcript, an official ACT or SAT score, the Presidential application with a one-page resume and short answers, and an official in-person campus visit. A past official visit counts. UTulsa also strongly suggests a 45-second video and a meeting with your admission counselor.

How competitive is the Presidential Scholarship?
About 10% of qualified applicants win, and there’s no waitlist. Everyone hears by April 1, and winners accept by May 1. Our Essay Toolkit and Brag Sheet Builder can help with the short answers and resume.

Does applying to the Honors College help with the Presidential Scholarship?
No. UTulsa says the Presidential committee is separate and can’t see your Honors application. Apply to both if they fit, but treat them as two different conversations.

Sources:
https://utulsa.edu/tuition-aid/scholarships/nmsf/
https://utulsa.edu/tuition-aid/scholarships/presidential-scholarship/
https://utulsa.edu/tuition-aid/scholarships/

🧠 Parent Strategy: Check the Right Boxes on the Application

At UTulsa, a lot of the smaller money is triggered by what your student puts on the admission application, not by a separate scholarship portal. If the box isn’t checked, the department never sees them.

  1. Finance or accounting? List it as the area of study. That alone puts your student in the Friends of Finance pool.
  2. Plays an instrument or sings? Mark music interest, even if they’re not majoring in it. That’s what prompts the audition invite.
  3. Art or art history? Fill out the separate School of Art Scholarship form and send the portfolio by March 1.
  4. Military family? Ask Student Financial Services about the veteran and DEA scholarships after filing the FAFSA.

Parent translation: these awards are usually $1,000 to $2,500 a year, but at a $25,000 school, that’s a real chunk of the bill.

💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships

These aren’t the headline awards, but they’re the ones that help close the gap. Some are tied to a major, some to a talent, and a few are for transfer students and military families.

Automatic
Friends of Finance Scholarship
📅 Deadline: No separate application. List finance or accounting as your area of study on the UTulsa admission application, and aim for the December 15 priority scholarship date.
✓ Renews (3.2 GPA, 4 yrs)
$2,500/yr
✔ Stackable
⚠  Finance or accounting majors
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
UTulsa does not publish a stacking rule for this award. Confirm in the offer letter that it is listed alongside the merit scholarship.
💡
Strategic Detail
$10,000 total ($2,500 a year for four years) for students who stay finance majors in the Collins College of Business. Recipients attend five of the seven Friends of Finance executive luncheons each year, meet regularly with a matched mentor, and keep a 3.2 GPA.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Incoming students who list finance or accounting on the application and look like future finance majors. A committee in the Collins College of Business picks recipients, with final approval from Student Financial Services.
App Required
School of Music Scholarships
📅 Deadline: February 24
✓ Renews
$1,000–$2,000/yr
✔ Stackable
⚠  Audition required
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
The $2,000 and $1,000 ensemble awards add to other aid. The limited full-tuition music awards are different: they cannot be combined with any university scholarship or the UTulsa Grant.
📄
How to Apply
Indicate music interest on the UTulsa application and you will be prompted to schedule an audition. Prepare the repertoire listed for your instrument or voice and audition by Feb. 24, 2027.
💡
Strategic Detail
$2,000 a year for music majors and $1,000 a year for non-majors who perform in a UTulsa ensemble such as orchestra, band, choir, or jazz. A limited number of full-tuition music scholarships go to music majors. Every award is based on a School of Music audition.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Strong performers who check the music box on the application and audition before the scholarship deadline. Non-majors qualify too, which is the part most families miss.
App Required
School of Art Scholarship
📅 Deadline: March 1
✓ Renews
$2,000/yr
✔ Stackable
⚠  Art or art history majors
🏫 3.0+ GPA👥 ~Limited number each year winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
UTulsa does not publish a stacking rule for this award. Confirm in the offer letter that it is listed alongside the merit scholarship.
📄
How to Apply
Get admitted to UTulsa, complete the online School of Art Scholarship Application with a 150 to 200 word statement, email a portfolio of 10 to 12 pieces in one PDF (or a writing sample for art history), and interview with the director or a faculty member in person, by video, or by phone.
✎ Essays🎤 Interview
💡
Strategic Detail
$2,000 a year for full-time undergraduates majoring in art or art history. A limited number are awarded each year. Students must be admitted to UTulsa first and hold at least a 3.0 GPA.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Admitted art and art history students with a strong portfolio (or writing sample for art history) who complete the short application and interview with the School of Art director.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Tulsa Undergraduate Research Challenge (TURC)
📅 Deadline: Tell a faculty mentor about your research interest by the first Friday in February to be considered for a summer or next-year stipend.
Non-Renewable
Varies
✔ Stackable
👥 ~Limited number of TURC fellows each year winners/yr🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
A research stipend on top of your scholarships. It does not replace merit aid.
📄
How to Apply
Browse the TURC project directory, contact a faculty mentor, and have the mentor pass your name to the TURC director by the first Friday in February for stipend consideration.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
The Tulsa Undergraduate Research Challenge, founded in 1992, pairs undergraduates with faculty on real research plus community service. Students can earn a stipend for summer or academic-year research; UTulsa does not publish the stipend amount. Many projects are open to incoming freshmen.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students who reach out to a faculty mentor early, often through TURC's project directory, and are willing to pair research with community service.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Spirit Squad Scholarships
📅 Deadline: Tied to spirit squad tryouts. UTulsa does not publish a scholarship deadline, so check with UTulsa Athletics for tryout dates.
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
$1,250/yr
✔ Stackable
⚠  Spirit squad members (cheer, pom, mascot)
👥 ~Limited to available squad positions and funding winners/yr🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Adds to other aid, within NCAA and university limits.
📄
How to Apply
Try out for the spirit squad. Members are considered for the scholarship.
Selection criteria: Selection based on tryout performance, skill level, and team fit.
💡
Strategic Detail
$1,250 a year for members of UTulsa's spirit squad (cheer, pom, and mascot), for up to eight semesters or until graduation, as long as the student stays an active member, enrolls full time, and meets athletic department expectations.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students who earn a spot on the cheer, pom, or mascot team and stay active and in good standing.
Automatic⚠ Transfer Only
Tulsa Achieves Transfer Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Rolling. Considered automatically when the transfer application is reviewed.
✓ Renews (3 yrs)
$7,000/yr
✔ Stackable
⚠  Tulsa Community College Tulsa Achieves transfers
🏫 3.3+ GPA🎓 Transfer
✚
Stacking & Combining
Applies to tuition for full-time, first-degree students. Combines with outside scholarships, Oklahoma's Promise and other state aid, and federal grants.
💡
Strategic Detail
UTulsa's transfer award for students who completed, or are working through, at least 12 hours in Tulsa Community College's Tulsa Achieves program with a 3.25 GPA or higher. Paid yearly, half in fall and half in spring, toward tuition.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
TCC Tulsa Achieves students with 12 or more hours and a 3.25+ GPA who transfer to UTulsa full time.
Automatic⚠ Transfer Only
TCC Honors Transfer Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Rolling. Considered automatically when the transfer application is reviewed.
✓ Renews (3 yrs)
$8,000/yr
✔ Stackable
⚠  TCC Honors Scholar associate degree graduates
🏫 3.5+ GPA🎓 Transfer
✚
Stacking & Combining
Applies to tuition for full-time, first-degree students. Combines with outside scholarships, Oklahoma's Promise and other state aid, and federal grants.
💡
Strategic Detail
UTulsa's top transfer award for students who earned an associate degree as an Honors Scholar with a 3.50 GPA or higher. Paid yearly, half in fall and half in spring, toward tuition.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Associate degree graduates whose diploma carries the Honors Scholar designation and who hold a 3.50+ GPA.
Automatic⚠ Transfer Only
Phi Theta Kappa Transfer Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Rolling. Considered automatically when the transfer application is reviewed. Include the PTK membership certificate.
✓ Renews (3 yrs)
$5,500/yr
✔ Stackable
⚠  Phi Theta Kappa members transferring with 30+ hours
🏫 3.5+ GPA🎓 Transfer
✚
Stacking & Combining
Applies to tuition for full-time, first-degree students. Combines with outside scholarships, Oklahoma's Promise and other state aid, and federal grants.
💡
Strategic Detail
UTulsa's transfer award for community college students with at least 30 completed hours, Phi Theta Kappa membership, and a 3.50 GPA or higher. Paid yearly, half in fall and half in spring, toward tuition.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: PTK members with 30 or more hours and a 3.50+ GPA who remember to upload the membership certificate with their transfer application.
Automatic⚠ All Undergrad Only
Calvin C. McKee Endowed Scholarship for Student Veterans
📅 Deadline: Not published. Contact UTulsa Student Financial Services.
Non-Renewable
Varies
✔ Stackable
⚠  Student veterans with financial need
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Designed to fill tuition and fee gaps after other veteran benefits.
💡
Strategic Detail
A need-based UTulsa scholarship for honorably discharged student veterans who have exhausted their Post-9/11 or Montgomery GI Bill benefits, or who served honorably but were not eligible for a VA education benefit. It helps with tuition and fees. UTulsa does not publish an amount.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Student veterans with financial need whose GI Bill benefits are used up, or who served honorably but did not qualify for a VA education benefit.
Automatic⚠ All Undergrad Only
Valor Partners Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Not published. Contact UTulsa Student Financial Services.
Non-Renewable
Varies
✔ Stackable
⚠  Military dependents using DEA (Chapter 35)
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Designed to fill tuition and fee gaps alongside DEA benefits.
💡
Strategic Detail
A need-based scholarship for military-connected students, meaning qualifying dependents of a service member or veteran, who use Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA, Chapter 35). It helps with tuition and fees. UTulsa does not publish an amount.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Military-connected students with financial need who use Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA, Chapter 35).
Data last verified Oct 21, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.

❓ Hidden Gems FAQ

Can my student get a music scholarship without majoring in music?
Yes. Non-majors who perform in a UTulsa ensemble can earn $1,000 a year, and music majors can earn $2,000 a year. Mark music interest on the application, then audition by February 24, 2027. Audition days are Jan. 30, Feb. 6, and Feb. 13, with video options. UTulsa’s main scholarships page still lists March 10, so go by the earlier date.

What is the Friends of Finance Scholarship?
$2,500 a year for four years ($10,000 total) for finance majors in the Collins College of Business. There’s no separate application. List finance or accounting when you apply. Winners attend executive luncheons, work with a mentor, and keep a 3.2 GPA.

How does the School of Art Scholarship work?
It’s $2,000 a year for art or art history majors with at least a 3.0 GPA. It takes a short online application, a portfolio of 10 to 12 pieces (or a writing sample for art history), and an interview. Aim to have everything in by March 1.

Can freshmen get paid to do research?
Often, yes. The Tulsa Undergraduate Research Challenge (TURC) pays stipends for summer or school-year research, and many projects are open to incoming freshmen. The key date is the first Friday in February: that’s when your student needs a faculty mentor lined up for stipend consideration.

We’re transferring from a community college. What’s out there?
UTulsa has three automatic transfer awards: $8,000 a year for TCC Honors Scholar graduates, $7,000 for Tulsa Achieves students, and $5,500 for Phi Theta Kappa members with 30+ hours. Each requires at least a 3.25 or 3.5 GPA depending on the award. Send the right transcripts (and the PTK certificate) with the application.

Are there scholarships for military families?
Yes, two need-based ones: the Calvin C. McKee scholarship for student veterans whose GI Bill benefits are used up, and the Valor Partners Scholarship for dependents using DEA (Chapter 35). UTulsa doesn’t list amounts, so file the FAFSA and contact Student Financial Services.

Sources:
https://utulsa.edu/tuition-aid/scholarships/
https://utulsa.edu/academics/arts/academics/departments/music/music-auditions/
https://utulsa.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admission/special-programs/friends-of-finance-scholarship/
https://applytulsa.utulsa.edu/register/artscholarshipapplication
https://utulsa.edu/research/research-opportunities/turc/
https://utulsa.edu/tuition-aid/scholarships/veteran-scholarships/

Honors College at The University of Tulsa

UTulsa’s Honors College isn’t a “harder versions of regular classes” program. It’s built around reading the great books together: a core of classic texts in philosophy, history, and literature that students take alongside any major. Think small discussion classes, a close group of friends, and a lot of big questions. It’s a separate application, and there’s no published scholarship attached to it.

  • Typical admit: about a 3.8 weighted GPA, with ACT 28 / SAT 1340 / CLT 90 recommended (averages, not cutoffs)
  • Application window: October 1 through February 1
  • Early bonus: apply by November 1 to hear back by December 15 and get priority for Jumpstart Rome, a week-long trip in June 2027
  • What students do: classic texts courses, honors housing in Hardesty Hall, and at least 80 hours of community service before graduation

Honors College Scholarships & Fellowships

This institution does not offer designated Honors College scholarships at this time.

We don’t list an Honors scholarship here because UTulsa doesn’t publish one. Honors is about the academic experience. The money conversation at UTulsa runs through regular merit, the Presidential Scholarship, and the National Merit package.

Deadline Note: The Honors application closes February 1, the same day as the Presidential Scholarship. If your student is aiming for both, don’t leave them for the same weekend. Honors applicants who finish by November 1 get their decision before winter break.
Where Honors Students Usually Find Extra Money
  • Presidential Scholarship: full tuition, separate application, due Feb. 1.
  • TURC research stipends: the Honors College partners with TURC, and stipend interest is due the first Friday in February.
  • Major-specific awards: Friends of Finance, School of Art, and music scholarships all work alongside Honors.

Honors College FAQs (University of Tulsa)

Is Honors admission automatic for strong students?
No. Students apply separately, using the same login as their UTulsa application, between October 1 and February 1. Review is holistic, so the benchmarks are averages, not minimums.

Does the Honors College come with a scholarship?
UTulsa doesn’t publish one. You may see a dollar figure on other websites, but we couldn’t confirm it on any official UTulsa page, so don’t count on it in your budget.

Can my student be in Honors and still major in engineering or business?
Yes. The classic texts core is designed to sit alongside any major at UTulsa. Some honors courses replace required general education classes.

Is there honors housing?
Yes. Honors suites in Hardesty Hall, one of UTulsa’s newest residence halls, are reserved for Honors students.

What is Jumpstart Rome?
A week-long international trip in June 2027. Students who apply to Honors by November 1 get priority consideration.

Sources:
https://utulsa.edu/academics/honors/apply/
https://utulsa.edu/academics/honors/
https://utulsa.edu/tuition-aid/scholarships/presidential-scholarship/

⭐ College Specialty

UTulsa is small, about 3,600 students, and it plays well above its size in a few areas. It’s a private research university about two miles from downtown Tulsa, with an 11 to 1 student to faculty ratio and average classes around 13 students. The standouts are tied to what Tulsa does well: energy, cyber security, and business.

Nationally Known Program:
McDougall School of Petroleum Engineering. U.S. News ranked it No. 1 among undergraduate petroleum engineering programs at private universities and No. 4 overall for 2025. The school runs more than 20 research partnerships with energy companies, which means students get real industry contact early.
  • Cyber Security: UTulsa’s School of Cyber Studies was the first academic department in the country dedicated to cyber with bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD degrees, and UTulsa has held NSA Center of Academic Excellence status since 2000. Its Cyber Corps program has sent hundreds of graduates into federal security work.
  • Computer Science: The Tandy School of Computer Science sits right next to the cyber program and shares a lot of its strength in security and systems.
  • Business: The Collins College of Business is strongest in finance, where students help manage a real investment fund worth more than $9 million and meet regional executives through Friends of Finance.
  • Nursing and Health Sciences: Offered through the Oxley College of Health & Natural Sciences, a popular path for students who want a smaller school feel.
  • Pre-Law: UTulsa has its own College of Law, which gives undergraduates interested in law a close look at the next step.
  • Nationally competitive scholarships: UTulsa says its students have won more nationally competitive awards (Goldwater, Truman, Fulbright, and others) than all other Oklahoma universities combined, and it leads the country in National Merit Scholars per capita.

✅ Wrapping It Up

Here’s UTulsa in a nutshell: a small private research university that just made itself a lot easier to price out. At $25,000 for tuition and fees, locked for four years, it now costs about what many families already paid after scholarships, without the scary $54,000 sticker price up front. It’s the same price whether you live in Tulsa or three states away.

The money that’s left to chase comes down to timing. National Merit Semifinalists need everything done by November 1, regular merit is decided around December 15, and the full-tuition Presidential Scholarship wants a separate application and a campus visit by February 1. If your student is into finance, music, art, or research, check those boxes on the application, because that’s how the smaller awards find them.

If your student is drawn to petroleum engineering, cyber security, or finance, UTulsa punches way above its size. Just remember the scholarship dollars on the letter will look smaller than they used to. Judge the offer by what you’ll actually pay.

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Leo Dimilo

Leo Dimilo

Leo is the founder of CollegeReadyParent. He went through the college money maze with his own daughter and built this site to give middle-income and first-generation families plain-English answers, with no paywall and no lead forms. More about Leo →

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