What scholarships are available to me?
The Putnam City Schools Foundation holds several scholarships available to high school students who will graduate from one of our three high schools. Four of the scholarships’ winners are determined by an ad hoc committee of our Board of Trustees, and others are determined by different entities (high schools/Parent Teacher Organization) and the Foundation pays them out.
Am I eligible to apply?
Each scholarship fund has specific eligibility criteria that were defined by the donor when the fund was established. Please read through the specific criteria for each scholarship to see if you are eligible for any of the funding.
How much does it cost to apply for a scholarship?
There is no charge to apply.
When is the deadline to apply? What do I send in?
All scholarships which are determined by the Foundation’s Board of Trustees are due the last day of February each year. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered for funding. Online applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on the last business day in February. Any additional documention required for the scholarship must be postmarked on or hand-delivered to the Putnam City Foundation office by 4:30 p.m. on the last business day in February. (Putnam City Foundation, 5401 NW 40th St, PC Administration Building, Oklahoma City, OK 73122.)
Each scholarship requires its own application and attachments. Those attachments may include financial aid information, grades, letters of recommendation, or an essay. Please read through the criteria to determine what you need to submit in order to be considered for funding. Some scholarship applications need to be sent to the Foundation while others need to be submitted to individual high school counseling centers. This information can be found within the criteria for each scholarship.
Are these scholarship grants taxable?
Generally, scholarships used for tuition, fees, books, and supplies are not taxable. Any portion of the scholarship that is used for room and board or miscellaneous expenses is taxable. Consult a tax expert for advice.
Are the scholarships sufficient to pay the cost of my college education?
No. These scholarships are intended to provide only partial support. In addition to applying for scholarships through the Foundation, you should look into other financial aid resources such as federal grants, loans, and work-study awards. A complete financial aid package can be put together by your college's financial aid office and may include a portion of each of the above types of financial aid.
If I am awarded a scholarship, how much will I get?
Some scholarships have set amounts. Most of them offer varying award amounts, which may range from $500 to $2,000. The award depends on how much is available to award, the number of awards, and the distribution directions given by the donors of the fund. The Foundation will determine the number and size of scholarships awarded each year.
Where can I go to school with these scholarships?
Most of the scholarships are for schools anywhere in the United States, unless noted otherwise in the scholarship description. The school needs to be an accredited, nonprofit institution. Most colleges or universities fit this category. Most beauty schools and business/travel schools do not. Please call your school directly if you are unsure of its status.
May I receive scholarships from more than one fund?
Yes, you can apply to all of the scholarship funds for which you are eligible and, therefore, can be selected as a recipient for each of those. You will, however, have to submit a complete application package for each scholarship.
Do I need to pay scholarship money back?
No, these are charitable grants that do not need to be paid back.
Does the Foundation make the decision about who is awarded?
An ad hoc committee from the Foundation’s Board of Trustees determines the winners of two student and two educator scholarships. Scholarships held and paid out by the Foundation’s winners are determined by others. Refer to each scholarship’s descriptions for more information.
If I am awarded a scholarship, do I get the check?
Some checks go directly to your school's financial aid office, some are written to you and others are written to both the student and the school. Read the scholarship documents for more information.
What can my scholarship be used for?
The scholarships can be used for any educational expenses: tuition, fees, books, supplies, room and board, and miscellaneous expenses. In rare cases, specific uses such as "tuition only" will be indicated in a scholarship description.
How do I receive my scholarship?
You must submit proof of enrollment from your college or university to the Foundation. When the Foundation receives enrollment verification and your thank you letter to the scholarship donor, your scholarship check will be issued. Please check with the scholarship guidelines for this information.
When will I be notified?
You will be notified after the scholarship committees meet in the spring.
Do I have to send a thank you note to the scholarship donor(s)?
Yes. In order to receive your award, you must submit a thank you letter to the Foundation office for the scholarship donor. The Foundation will send your thank you letter to the donor for you.
