OKLAHOMA CITY (Dec. 1, 2023) – Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company (OG&E) is encouraging high school seniors in Oklahoma and Arkansas to apply for the 2024 OG&E Positive Energy Scholarship. Applications will be accepted beginning Dec. 1, 2023, through Feb. 15, 2024.
The OGE Energy Corp. Foundation awards this scholarship to three deserving students and provides them with $15,000 per year, renewable annually for up to four years, or a total of $60,000, to cover tuition, books, fees, and on-campus room and board. The Oklahoma City Community Foundation administers the scholarship on behalf of OGE Energy Corp.
Scholarship winners are selected based on their academic achievements, volunteerism, community service, extracurricular activities and strength of character. Selection criteria include students who demonstrate a financial need and plan to major in a STEM-related field. Preference will be given to students pursuing a degree that promotes and leads to a future career in the energy field.
“Fostering the future of our communities begins with providing education opportunities for the next generation,” said Lindsay Laird, manager of community outreach and engagement at OG&E. “This scholarship enables students of strong character with an interest in STEM to pursue their dreams without the significant financial burden. It’s an honor to help these students achieve their full potential while enhancing our region’s future workforce and empowering the next generation of leaders.”
The 2023 winners were selected from a competitive pool of more than 200 applicants. Jorge Merino, from Southeast High School in Oklahoma City, Blaine Granger from Piedmont High School in Piedmont, Oklahoma, and Emma Smith from Southside High School in Fort Smith, Arkansas, were each awarded $60,000 scholarships.
Established in 2019, the OG&E Positive Energy Scholarship encourages students to pursue a STEM-focused degree in higher education. Eligible students must meet specific criteria to be considered, including:
• Beagraduating high school senior from the OG&E service area;
• Plantoattendacollege in the states of Oklahoma or Arkansas;
• Plantopursueand maintain one of the following STEM majors: accounting, biology, chemistry, computer science, cybersecurity, data analytics, earth science, engineering, finance, geosciences, environmental science, information technology, mathematics; • Haveanunweighted GPA greater than or equal to 3.25; and
• AchieveanACT score greater than or equal to 25 and/or SAT score greater than or equal to 1200.
The OG&E Positive Energy Scholarship is renewable for up to four consecutive years; an unweighted GPA greater than or equal to 3.0 is required to be considered for renewal.
OG&E knows strong schools build strong communities and gives back in many ways to support students and teachers. In addition to scholarships, the electric company funds teacher projects, offers energy efficiency grants, provides classrooms with energy education materials and partners with educational institutions to cultivate a pipeline of strong industry professionals. Since launching the program, the OGE Energy Corp. Foundation has awarded 15 Positive Energy Scholarships – totaling $900,000 – to high school seniors.
To apply for the 2024 OG&E Positive Energy Scholarship, visit occf.academicworks.com . To learn more about how OG&E invests in education across its service area, visit oge.com/education.