Academic All-State Award

Scholarship Sponsored by Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence

For 40 years, the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence has honored top public school educators and students at its flagship event, the Academic Awards Celebration. The 2027 celebration will take place Saturday, May 8, at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City.

This inspiring event showcases the brilliance and positive impact of Oklahoma’s public schools. At the Academic Awards Celebration, OFE presents:

• $1,500 cash award to each of the 100 Academic All-State scholars selected from Oklahoma’s public high school graduating seniors. All-State Criteria
• $5,000 cash award and Medal for Excellence to five public school educators, one each at the elementary, secondary, community college/regional university and research university teaching levels along with an elementary/secondary administrator. Medal for Excellence Nomination Guidelines
• $2,000 cash award to one or more outstanding Oklahoma school foundation programs.

Public School Foundation Impact Award Criteria

Since 1987, the foundation has awarded more than $5.4 million in academic awards.

Academic All-State Application and Criteria

The Academic All-State Award is one of the most prestigious student honors in Oklahoma, bestowed to only 100 outstanding public high school seniors annually in recognition of academic achievement, leadership, and community service. Each honoree will receive a $1,500 award and be recognized at the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence Academic Awards Celebration on May 8, 2027, at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City.

Application Guidelines

Please read before proceeding to the Academic Awards portal link.

• Use the Google Chrome browser for best results.
• To begin your application, you must create an account with a valid email address and a password. Please use a personal email address, not one associated with your school, as system-generated emails may get caught in your school’s spam filter.
• The application does not need to be completed in one sitting. You can save your work and come back to the application at any time up to the stated deadline.
• ACT and/or SAT scores must be documented in PDF format. You may submit score reports available from your school counselor’s office. Or you may submit score reports available to you from the ACT or SAT websites, which you should be able to save as or print to a PDF file.
• You must designate a school official to submit your transcript in PDF format and verify your eligibility.
• You must designate two individuals who are not family members to submit letters of recommendation on your behalf.
• Your designees will receive a system-generated email requesting specific information. They will click on a link provided in the email and will not be required to create an account or to log in.
• You can monitor the progress of your requests for information and will receive a system-generated email when each item is submitted.
• You will receive a system-generated email when your application is successfully submitted.
• You are responsible for ensuring that all information, including your transcript, verification of eligibility and letters of recommendation, is submitted via the portal by the stated deadline. Incomplete applications will not be forwarded to the selection committee for consideration.

Eligibility Criteria

Currently enrolled Oklahoma public high school seniors who meet any one of these criteria are eligible to apply.

• Composite ACT score of at least 30*
• Combined SAT Evidence-Based Reading & Writing and Math score of at least 1370*
• National Merit Scholarship Program semifinalist

*We do not accept ACT superscores. Standardized test scores must be from a single test date on a national or district-contracted testing day.

In addition to the minimum criteria, students will be evaluated on their leadership abilities, motivation, academic achievement, and character as maximized within each student’s learning environment.