Tulsa Reconciliation Education and Scholarship Program

Purpose

The intent of the scholarship program is to preserve awareness of the history and meaning of the tragic events of the Tulsa Race Massacre in 1921. Applicants should be students whose character and conduct contribute to greater communication and understanding between people of diverse backgrounds. Students with evidence of direct lineal descendancy from the Tulsa Race Massacre are strongly encouraged to apply.

The program will award scholarships to eligible participants enrolled in an institution within the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education, a private institution in Oklahoma, or an Oklahoma career technology center program.

 

Scholarship Eligibility Tracks

This scholarship program offers two different eligibility tracks: General Scholarship Eligibility and High School Scholarship Eligibility. Both tracks support students enrolled in an eligible Oklahoma college, university or career technology center in Fall 2026.

 

General Scholarship Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for General Scholarship eligibility, an applicant shall satisfy the following criteria:

• The family income of the applicant is not more than Seventy Thousand Dollars ($70,000.00) per year
• The applicant attended a Tulsa public school where seventy-five percent (75%) or more of the students enrolled in the school qualify for the free and reduced lunch program
• The applicant resides in a census block area within the Tulsa School District where thirty percent (30%) or more of the residents are at or below the poverty level established by the United States Bureau of the Census
• Complete Admission Requirements prior to receiving an award (see below).

In addition, the applicant must retain eligibility while pursuing the program of higher learning in which enrolled and shall maintain good academic standing, satisfactory academic progress, and comply with the standards related to maintenance of eligibility.

 

High School Scholarship Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for High School Scholarship eligibility, an applicant shall satisfy the following criteria:

• Enrollment in a Tulsa Public School District high school.
• Family household income of $70,000 or less annually.
• Complete Admission Requirements prior to reeiving an award (see below).

High School Award Details

The award for the high school scholarships shall be limited to a one-year full-time-equivalent period.

Following successful completion of such award, participants shall be eligible to apply and be considered for continued participation in the full Tulsa Reconciliation Education and Scholarship Program if the applicant meets the General Scholarship Eligibility Requirements.

Any student subsequently awarded such scholarship shall have the duration of the high school scholarship deducted from the five-year limit on scholarship eligibility.

 

How to Apply

The application for the 2026-27 academic year is now available. All applicants - including new applicants, previous recipients seeking renewal, and those applying under either eligibility track - must complete the same application form. Students may submit applications as early as their senior year of high school.

Deadline to apply: May 14, 2026

An advisory committee of Tulsa community members, coordinated by Langston University, will review the applications and make recommendations to the State Regents for scholarship recipients.

Additional Information

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact Linette McMurtrey, Director for State Grants and Scholarships, at lmcmurtrey@osrhe.edu or (405) 225-9131.