FAFSA book on desk
Student Resources » Financial Aid

Financial Aid

Financial aid is designed to help students offset the cost of education related expenses such as tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board, and transportation. These expenses are also referred to as the student’s Cost of Attendance (COA). SouthernTech participates in several financial aid programs to assist adult students with their educational expenses. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step in the financial aid process. Including SouthernTech's School Code, 010342, in your FAFSA will allow our Financial Aid Office to receive your Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) and determine your eligibility for need based aid. Documentation may need to be provided if you are selected for verification or if your Student Aid Report (SAR) contains any adverse comments or codes. SouthernTech will then use your information to prepare a financial award package of estimated eligible aid unique to you and to complete any needs analysis forms for your sponsoring agencies. The links below provide a more detailed description of some different types of available financial aid.

(SouthernTech does not participate in any loan programs.)

Scholarships

A scholarship is a monetary award which, like a grant, is not required to be repaid. However, it is usually criteria specific and reflects the values and purposes of the donor. It is most commonly merit, need or talent based and student, career, institution or skill specific. The list below contains scholarships typically awarded at SouthernTech, providing funds are available.

Finding and applying for scholarships can be a daunting task. A good place to start is by asking local institutions and organizations and searching state education related websites such as www.okcareertech.org and www.okcollegestart.org.

To apply for a scholarship through SouthernTech, you must first complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Then contact the Financial Aid Office or go to the link posted on our Financial Aid webpage. Listed here are scholarships that we typically assist with.

  • Otha Grimes Scholarship
  • Noble Foundation Scholarship
  • Henry Bridge Scholarship
  • Anna Collins Franklin Foundation Scholarship
  • SouthernTech ASPIRE
  • Kelley Foundation Scholarship

 

Otha Grimes Scholarship

The Otha Grimes/Francis Tuttle Memorial Scholarships are administered by the Oklahoma Foundation for Career and Technology Education. These scholarships are available to adult students enrolled in a program at a Career and Technology Center. The application must be typed online at www.okcareertech.org/about/foundation/scholarships then signed and submitted to the Financial Aid Office. The application is due July 1 for Fall awards and December 1 for Spring awards. All applications are reviewed and scored by a committee and selected applications are submitted to the Foundation for consideration. Award amounts are determined by the Foundation based on need for allowable expenses. See the Financial Aid Coordinator for an application and instructions.

Noble Foundation Scholarship

The Noble Foundation of Ardmore provides scholarship funds to assist students with unmet need. SouthernTech awards funds to students in the Fall to help with tuition and throughout the year until funds are exhausted. All applications are reviewed and scored by a committee and depend upon unmet need and availability of funds. The scholarship application is posted on our Financial Aid webpage and is due July 1 for Fall awards and December 1 for Spring awards.

Henry Bridge Scholarship

Henry Bridge Memorial Trust provides scholarship funds to assist students with unmet need. SouthernTech awards funds to students in the Spring to help with tuition and/or books and throughout the year until funds are exhausted. Criteria for continued eligibility include need, satisfactory academic progress and attendance. All applications are reviewed and scored by a committee and amounts vary depending upon unmet need and availability of funds. The scholarship application is posted on our Financial Aid webpage and is due July 1 for Fall awards and December 1 for Spring awards.

Kelley Foundation Scholarship

The Kelley Foundation was established by Robert Kelley, Judy Kelley and their daughter Marla. The Kelley’s are native Oklahomans and longtime residents of Southern Oklahoma.

The foundation is primarily focused on humanitarian projects in Oklahoma, with an emphasis on Southern Oklahoma.

Eligible Programs:
  • Cabinetmaking
  • Carpentry
  • CAD
  • Graphic Design
  • HEO
  • HVAC
  • Industrial Machinery
  • Robotics
  • Welding

SouthernTech ASPIRE Scholarship

The SouthernTech ASPIRE Scholarship can be used by individuals that graduated from a district partner school. Or the student must be a resident of the district and receive a high school or high school equivalency diploma. The SouthernTech Aspire Scholarship can be applied towards cost of attendance for one full-time program (DENTAL HYGIENE EXCLUDED) or an approved short-term program.

Scholarship awards will vary depending on the requirements of the program chosen by the student. Award amounts are determined based on SouthernTech’s Scholarship Student Aid Index (SAI), which is modeled after the Federal Pell Grant Program Payment Schedule for Determining Awards towards the cost of attendance.  Scholarships have no redeemable cash value. Withdrawal and/or reduction of awarded scholarship funds will occur if cost of attendance is funded by another source.  

Requirements for Application of the ASPIRE Scholarship
  • Applicants must complete the scholarship application and provide all documentation requested within the application.
  • Applicants must apply for FAFSA and accept any available funds before the scholarship can be utilized. Applicants who cannot apply for FAFSA may petition the scholarship committee for reconsideration of the FAFSA filing requirement and will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
  • Applicants must reside in the SouthernTech district at the time of application and during the duration of the Career Tech program.
  • Must have a High School Diploma from a district partner school or High School Diploma/Equivalency and be a resident of the district.
  • Scholarship recipients must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).
  • Applicants who accept the SouthernTech Aspire Scholarship and do not complete the program may be subject to penalty fees/repayment of scholarship funds.
  • Some restrictions may apply, scholarship is available on a limited basis.
  • All scholarship awards must be approved by the Superintendent.

 

Approved Short Term Programs

  • Certified Nurse Assistant
  • Phlebotomy
  • Emergency Medical Technician
  • Medical Assisting
  • CDL Class A
  • CDL Class B
  • Driver's Education

The Anna Collins Franklin Foundation Scholarship

This scholarship is designed for adults residing in Carter County to assist with continued education. One application per year is required and is due on June 30 for the following fall and spring semesters. The application and required documents are submitted by the student directly to the Foundation. See the Financial Aid Coordinator for an application and instructions.

Oklahoma’s Promise Scholarship

Oklahoma’s Promise (Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program or OHLAP) is made available by the Oklahoma State Legislature through the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education (OSRHE). Students are required to attend half time or full time in an eligible Career Training program and make satisfactory academic progress. Students must have applied during the eighth, ninth, or tenth grades of high school.

The MORE Scholarship

The More Scholarship (formerly the Greater Ardmore Scholarship Foundation or GASF) is administered by the Communities Foundation of Oklahoma. The scholarship is awarded to high school students and paid directly to the school upon the student's completion and submission of required documents to the Foundation.

Physician’s Manpower Scholarship

Physician’s Manpower scholarship is awarded annually in July to nursing students only. Students applying for the scholarship are required to sign a contract with the State of Oklahoma one year upon completion of the Nursing program. Scholarship applications are available in the financial aid office or in the Health Career’s building.