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OU Scholarships and Grants for Future Students

More than half of our students receive financial aid to help them cover some or all of their Oakland University tuition. 

First-Year Student Merit Scholarships - Fall 2024, Winter and Summer 2025

To be considered for merit scholarships, Oakland University typically must receive your admission application, transcript and SAT or ACT score (if applicable) by the priority deadline of March 1 for fall, December 1 for winter and July 1 for summer. You will automatically be considered for OU scholarships, and awards are based on your academic record, including GPA and SAT or ACT score (if applicable), at the time of admission (test superscores are not considered at this time). You may also submit updated transcripts and/or test scores for scholarship reconsideration. International students are not eligible for OU scholarships, except where reflected. The total amount of Oakland University institutional awards and tuition waiver benefits cannot exceed the cost of tuition (the Geographic Region Award is not included in this limitation of OU awards and benefits). Students may only receive one academic merit scholarship (except for the Non-Resident Award and Geographic Region Award, if applicable).

PLATINUM PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLAR AWARD

  • Amount: $48,000 for four years ($12,000 per year)
  • Requirements
    • High school GPA: 3.90 or higher
    • SAT score: 1450 or higher
    • ACT composite score: 33 or higher
  • Additional opportunity: The Pescovitz Presidential Scholarship. Platinum Presidential Scholar Award recipients are eligible to apply for this competitive scholarship, valued at full tuition.

GOLD PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLAR AWARD

  • Amount: $36,000 for four years ($9,000 per year)
  • Requirements
    • High school GPA: 3.90 or higher
    • SAT score: 1390-1440
    • ACT composite score: 31-32

DISTINGUISHED SCHOLAR AWARD

  • Amount: $22,000 for four years ($5,500 per year)
  • Requirements
    • High school GPA: 3.90 or higher
    • SAT score: 1300-1380
    • ACT composite score: 28-30
      OR
    • High school GPA: 3.80-3.89
    • SAT score: 1300 or higher
    • ACT composite score: 28 or higher

TALENTED SCHOLAR AWARD

  • Amount: $14,000 for four years ($3,500 per year)
  • Requirements
    • High school GPA: 3.80 or higher
    • SAT score: 1200-1290
    • ACT composite score: 25-27
      OR
    • High school GPA: 3.7-3.79
    • SAT score: 1200 or higher
    • ACT composite score: 25 or higher
      OR
    • High school GPA: 3.9 or higher
    • No test score (or a score of up to 1190 on the SAT / 24 on the ACT)

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

  • Amount: $8,000 for four years ($2,000 per year)
  • Requirements
    • High school GPA: 3.40-3.89
    • SAT score: 1130-1190
    • ACT composite score: 23-24
      OR
    • High school GPA: 3.4-3.69
    • SAT score: 1200 or higher
    • ACT composite score: 25 or higher
      OR
    • High school GPA: 3.50-3.89
    • No test score (or a score of up to 1120 on the SAT / 22 on the ACT)

UNIVERSITY RECOGNITION AWARD

  • Amount: $4,000 for four years ($1,000 per year)
  • Requirements
    • High school GPA: 3.00-3.49
    • No test score (or a score of up to 1120 on the SAT / 22 on the ACT)
    • OR
    • High school GPA: 3.00-3.39
    • SAT score: 1130 or higher
    • ACT composite score: 23 or higher

GEOGRAPHIC REGION AWARD

  • Amount: $6,000 for four years ($1,500 per year)
  • Requirements
    • High school GPA: 3.0 or higher
    • Resident of Michigan counties outside of Macomb and Oakland who wish to live on campus
    • Must live in university housing and have full semester housing charges each semester

NON-RESIDENT AWARD

  • Amount: In-state tuition rates
  • Requirements
    • High school GPA: 2.5 or higher
    • U.S. citizen (citizens and permanent residents of Canada and Mexico may also qualify)
    • Non-Michigan resident 
    • Must live in university housing for their first two years

First-Year Student Merit Scholarships - Fall 2025, Winter and Summer 2026

To be considered for merit scholarships, Oakland University typically must receive your admission application, transcript and SAT or ACT score (if applicable) by the priority deadline of March 1 for fall, December 1 for winter and July 1 for summer. You will automatically be considered for OU scholarships, and awards are based on your academic record, including GPA and SAT or ACT score (if applicable), at the time of admission (test superscores are not considered at this time). You may also submit updated transcripts and/or test scores for scholarship reconsideration. International students are not eligible for OU scholarships, except where reflected. The total amount of Oakland University institutional awards and tuition waiver benefits cannot exceed the cost of tuition (the Geographic Region Award is not included in this limitation of OU awards and benefits). Students may only receive one academic merit scholarship (except for the Non-Resident Award and Geographic Region Award, if applicable).

PLATINUM PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLAR AWARD

  • Amount: $48,000 for four years ($12,000 per year)
  • Requirements
    • High school GPA: 3.90 or higher
    • SAT score: 1450 or higher
    • ACT composite score: 33 or higher
  • Additional opportunity: The Pescovitz Presidential Scholarship. Platinum Presidential Scholar Award recipients are eligible to apply for this competitive scholarship, valued at full tuition.

GOLD PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLAR AWARD

  • Amount: $36,000 for four years ($9,000 per year)
  • Requirements
    • High school GPA: 3.90 or higher
    • SAT score: 1390-1440
    • ACT composite score: 31-32

DISTINGUISHED SCHOLAR AWARD

  • Amount: $22,000 for four years ($5,500 per year)
  • Requirements
    • High school GPA: 3.90 or higher
    • SAT score: 1300-1380
    • ACT composite score: 28-30
      OR
    • High school GPA: 3.80-3.89
    • SAT score: 1300 or higher
    • ACT composite score: 28 or higher

TALENTED SCHOLAR AWARD

  • Amount: $14,000 for four years ($3,500 per year)
  • Requirements
    • High school GPA: 3.80 or higher
    • SAT score: 1200-1290
    • ACT composite score: 25-27
      OR
    • High school GPA: 3.7-3.79
    • SAT score: 1200 or higher
    • ACT composite score: 25 or higher
      OR
    • High school GPA: 3.9 or higher
    • No test score (or a score of up to 1190 on the SAT / 24 on the ACT)

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

  • Amount: $8,000 for four years ($2,000 per year)
  • Requirements
    • High school GPA: 3.40-3.89
    • SAT score: 1130-1190
    • ACT composite score: 23-24
      OR
    • High school GPA: 3.4-3.69
    • SAT score: 1200 or higher
    • ACT composite score: 25 or higher
      OR
    • High school GPA: 3.50-3.89
    • No test score (or a score of up to 1120 on the SAT / 22 on the ACT)

UNIVERSITY RECOGNITION AWARD

  • Amount: $4,000 for four years ($1,000 per year)
  • Requirements
    • High school GPA: 3.00-3.49
    • No test score (or a score of up to 1120 on the SAT / 22 on the ACT)
    • OR
    • High school GPA: 3.00-3.39
    • SAT score: 1130 or higher
    • ACT composite score: 23 or higher

GEOGRAPHIC REGION AWARD

  • Amount: $6,000 for four years ($1,500 per year)
  • Requirements
    • High school GPA: 3.0 or higher
    • Resident of Michigan counties outside of Macomb and Oakland who wish to live on campus
    • Must live in university housing and have full semester housing charges each semester

NON-RESIDENT AWARD

  • Amount: In-state tuition rates
  • Requirements
    • High school GPA: 2.5 or higher
    • U.S. citizen (citizens and permanent residents of Canada and Mexico may also qualify)
    • Non-Michigan resident 
    • Must live in university housing for their first two years

First-Year Student Need-Based Grants - Fall 2024, Winter and Summer 2025

To be considered for need-based grants, entering first-year students who are Michigan residents must complete the FAFSA and fulfill all financial aid requirements by the priority deadline of March 1 for fall, December 1 for winter and July 1 for summer. Entering first-year Michigan residents who have financial need as determined by the completion of the FAFSA will automatically be considered for OU grants. A combination of Oakland University institutional awards and tuition waiver benefits cannot exceed the cost of tuition (the Geographic Region Award, the OU Housing Grant and OU departmental and endowed awards are not included in this limitation of OU awards and benefits). Financial awards from all sources cannot exceed financial need and/or the cost of attendance.

GOLDEN GUARANTEE

Focus on your degree and your future — without worrying about how to pay for it.
  • Amount: Full tuition for up to four years*
  • Requirements
    • Family income of less than or equal to $70,000, and assets less than $50,000, as determined by the FAFSA
    • Michigan resident, recipient of the Michigan Achievement Scholarship

HOUSING GRANT

  • Amount: Up to $20,000 for four years (up to $5,000 per year)*
  • Requirements
    • High school GPA: 3.0 or higher
    • Family income of less than or equal to $70,000, and assets less than $50,000, as determined by the FAFSA
    • Must live in university housing
    • Must have full semester on-campus housing charges not covered by another housing award

*Grant amounts are dependent upon financial need established by completing the FAFSA.

First-Year Student Need-Based Grants - Fall 2025, Winter and Summer 2026

To be considered for need-based grants, entering first-year students who are Michigan residents must complete the FAFSA and fulfill all financial aid requirements by the priority deadline of March 1 for fall, December 1 for winter and July 1 for summer. Entering first-year Michigan residents who have financial need as determined by the completion of the FAFSA will automatically be considered for OU grants. A combination of Oakland University institutional awards and tuition waiver benefits cannot exceed the cost of tuition (the Geographic Region Award, the OU Housing Grant and OU departmental and endowed awards are not included in this limitation of OU awards and benefits). Financial awards from all sources cannot exceed financial need and/or the cost of attendance.

GOLDEN GUARANTEE

Focus on your degree and your future — without worrying about how to pay for it.
  • Amount: Full tuition for up to four years*
  • Requirements
    • Family income of less than or equal to $70,000, and assets less than $50,000, as determined by the FAFSA
    • Michigan resident, recipient of the Michigan Achievement Scholarship

HOUSING GRANT

  • Amount: Up to $20,000 for four years (up to $5,000 per year)*
  • Requirements
    • High school GPA: 3.0 or higher
    • Family income of less than or equal to $70,000, and assets less than $50,000, as determined by the FAFSA
    • Must live in university housing
    • Must have full semester on-campus housing charges not covered by another housing award

*Grant amounts are dependent upon financial need established by completing the FAFSA.

To be considered for scholarships, entering winter transfer students must apply and submit all admission materials to the university by the priority deadline of December 1; entering summer transfer students must apply and submit all admission materials by the priority deadline of July 1; entering fall transfer students must apply and submit all admission materials by the priority deadline of August 1.

If you meet these priority deadlines, you will automatically be considered for OU scholarships. Awards are based on your academic record, including cumulative GPA, at the time of application. U.S. citizens and permanent residents qualify for OU scholarships; international students are not eligible for OU scholarships, except where reflected Students may only receive one academic merit scholarship (except the non-resident award, if applicable). A combination of Oakland University institutional awards and benefits cannot exceed the cost of tuition (the Geographic Region Award, the OU Housing Grant and OU departmental and endowed awards are not included in this limitation of OU awards and benefits). Financial awards from all sources cannot exceed financial need and/or the cost of attendance.

Eligible incoming transfer students who have financial need (as determined by completion of the FAFSA) and fulfill all financial aid requirements by December 1 for winter, July 1 for summer or August 1 for fall, will automatically be considered for OU need-based grants.

Transfer Awards - Fall 2024, Winter and Summer 2025


PRESIDENTIAL TRANSFER AWARD

  • Amount: $10,000 for two years ($5,000 per year)
  • Requirements
    • College GPA: 3.80 or higher
    • 56 or more transferable credits*
    • Must be coming from a Michigan community college

 PHI THETA KAPPA AWARD

  • Amount: $5,000 for two years ($2,500 per year)
  • Requirements for community college students
    • College GPA: 3.80 or higher
    • 24-55 transferable credits*
      OR
    • College GPA: 3.50-3.79
    • 24 or more transferable credits
  • Requirements for four-year college or university students
    • College GPA: 3.50 or higher
    • 24 or more transferable credits*

TALENTED TRANSFER AWARD

  • Amount: $2,000 for two years ($1,000 per year)
  • Requirements
    • College GPA: 3.0-3.49
    • 24 or more transferable credits*


NON-RESIDENT AWARD

  • Amount: In-state tuition rates for two years
  • Requirements
    • College GPA: 2.5 or higher
    • Non-Michigan resident
    • U.S. citizen (citizens and permanent residents of Canada and Mexico may also qualify)
    • 24 or more transferable credits*

 
OU TRANSFER GRANT

  • Amount: $4,000 for two years ($2,000 per year)
  • Requirements
    • Family income of less than or equal to $70,000, and assets less than $50,000, as determined by the FAFSA
    • 24 or more transferable credits*


*Transferable credits must be earned by the scholarship deadline.

Transfer Awards - Fall 2025, Winter and Summer 2026


PRESIDENTIAL TRANSFER AWARD

  • Amount: $10,000 for two years ($5,000 per year)
  • Requirements
    • College GPA: 3.80 or higher
    • 56 or more transferable credits*
    • Must be coming from a Michigan community college

 PHI THETA KAPPA AWARD

  • Amount: $5,000 for two years ($2,500 per year)
  • Requirements for community college students
    • College GPA: 3.80 or higher
    • 24-55 transferable credits*
      OR
    • College GPA: 3.50-3.79
    • 24 or more transferable credits
  • Requirements for four-year college or university students
    • College GPA: 3.50 or higher
    • 24 or more transferable credits*

TALENTED TRANSFER AWARD

  • Amount: $2,000 for two years ($1,000 per year)
  • Requirements
    • College GPA: 3.0-3.49
    • 24 or more transferable credits*


NON-RESIDENT AWARD

  • Amount: In-state tuition rates for two years
  • Requirements
    • College GPA: 2.5 or higher
    • Non-Michigan resident
    • U.S. citizen (citizens and permanent residents of Canada and Mexico may also qualify)
    • 24 or more transferable credits*

 
OU TRANSFER GRANT

  • Amount: $4,000 for two years ($2,000 per year)
  • Requirements
    • Family income of less than or equal to $70,000, and assets less than $50,000, as determined by the FAFSA
    • 24 or more transferable credits*


*Transferable credits must be earned by the scholarship deadline.

OU scholarships and grants are renewable, provided the criteria is met. Scholarships and grants are evaluated for renewal over the summer; students who attend full-time during the summer semester and utilize their scholarship and/or grant will be evaluated for renewal after summer grades have been posted. View examples and frequently asked questions of renewal scenarios for help in understanding eligibility after the first year. Select the appropriate information below to view the renewal criteria for scholarships and/or grants awarded in the year you first enrolled at OU; be sure to view the additional information following the renewal chart.

Students who do not meet renewal criteria and have extenuating circumstances, such as the death of an immediate family member or a serious illness or injury of the student, can request consideration for scholarship and/or grant reinstatement by calling or coming into the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships to speak with a financial aid adviser.

View the OU scholarship and grant renewal criteria for:

*Attendance in summer classes requires enrollment in full-time OU credits (12+ credits), uses one semester of scholarship eligibility and counts toward the renewal semesters. Academic performance will be reviewed at the end of the summer semester to determine if the student is eligible for scholarship renewal for the following fall semester. If the student does not complete full-time (12+ credits) and/or meet the GPA requirement for renewal, the award(s) will be canceled for any remaining semesters at OU.

Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships

North Foundation Hall, Room 120
318 Meadow Brook Road
Rochester, MI 48309-4454
(location map)
(248) 370-2550



Office Hours:
M-F 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
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OU school code: 002307

Student employment contact: [email protected]

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