Oklahoma National Merit: compare the package, not just its headline

OU: substantial support, with separate components

For fall 2027, the University of Oklahoma's freshman chart lists National Merit® Finalist package totals of $147,660 for residents and $157,050 for nonresidents. It also lists Semifinalist awards for students with at least 3.5 GPA: $16,000 resident or $70,000 nonresident, each spread over four years. Students advancing to Finalist can qualify for an upgraded package after naming OU by April 30. OU: fall 2027 freshman scholarships.

These are package totals, not yearly cash payments. OU's detailed resident and nonresident pages explicitly say the package does not cover full cost of attendance. They combine tuition waivers, cash and other benefits with different durations; housing support is first-year only. OU: resident National Merit package, updated October 2026; OU: nonresident National Merit package, updated October 2026.

The detailed pages have a labeling inconsistency: their headings still say “Entering Fall 2026,” while their application and college-choice dates are December 15, 2026 and April 30, 2027. Confirm your cohort's component amounts and renewal terms with OU; the dated fall 2027 summary is not a substitute for your award letter. OU: resident National Merit package, updated October 2026; OU: nonresident National Merit package, updated October 2026.

Tulsa: a selected Semifinalist package

Tulsa's fall 2027 package for selected Semifinalists includes four years of tuition excluding summers and basic housing. Its stated benefits do not list meals. It requires full-time enrollment and degree progress, and cannot combine with other Tulsa funding. University of Tulsa: fall 2027 Semifinalist package.

Qualification includes admission materials, an official campus visit, an in-person interview and two recommendations by November 1, plus GPA and later commitment/first-choice requirements. University of Tulsa: fall 2027 Semifinalist package. As of November 8, 2026, the fall 2027 visit/interview deadline has passed, according to Tulsa's scheduling page. Contact admissions about your situation; do not assume an exception exists. University of Tulsa: 2026 interview deadline status.

Compare what remains

For each offer, separate tuition reductions from cash, first-year benefits from renewable ones, and included costs from expenses you still pay. Ask about the GPA required for each component rather than assuming one renewal rule covers the entire package.

These are institutional examples, not a statewide award. Check the linked official pages and your entering-year award letter. Compare Texas's COA-based offers and Alabama's component package.