Sam Noble Scholarship applications now available

ARDMORE, Okla. — College is expensive.

The math is simple. Four years of college costs about $75,772 for tuition, fees, and room and board. (This doesn’t include personal expenses like shampoo, gas or fun.) The Noble Foundation wants to help.

Entering its 18th year of assisting students, the Noble Foundation’s Sam Noble Scholarships are available to eligible southern Oklahoma students in all stages of higher education – from incoming freshmen to those seeking graduate degrees.

The Sam Noble Scholarship Program supports students from southern Oklahoma as they strive toward achieving associate degrees from technical institutes or agriculture-related bachelor’s or graduate degrees. Sam Noble Scholars pursuing a future in agriculture may study subjects ranging from communications and economics to agribusiness and biosystems agricultural engineering. For scholars focused on technology certifications or degrees, available fields extend across the spectrum of vocations, including computer information systems, photography, high-voltage electricity and more.

Since 1999, more than 188 Oklahoma students studying agriculture and technology have been awarded scholarships in excess of $2.4 million.

“The Sam Noble Scholarships play a pivotal role in providing opportunities for students in southern Oklahoma,” said Mary Kate Wilson, director of philanthropy, engagement and project management at the Noble Foundation. “We encourage all eligible students to take advantage of this opportunity and apply as soon as possible.”

Scholarships for students seeking undergraduate degrees in agriculture-related fields provide $2,500 of support per semester for up to nine semesters, while scholarships for graduate students offer $3,125 per semester for up to five semesters. Applicants must pursue their education at a university awarding baccalaureate or higher degrees through a division or college of agriculture, such as Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma Panhandle State University, Texas Tech University (Lubbock campus) or Texas A&M University (College Station campus).

Scholarships for those seeking degrees or certifications from technical institutes are for $3,750 per year for up to two years. The applicant must pursue this degree or certification at Oklahoma State University’s Oklahoma City or Okmulgee campus.

To be eligible to receive a scholarship, a student must plan to attend or be attending a qualifying university or technology training institution during the 2016-2017 academic year. The student must also be a resident of one of the following southern Oklahoma counties: Atoka, Bryan, Carter, Choctaw, Coal, Garvin, Jefferson, Johnston, Love, Marshall, McCurtain, Murray, Pontotoc, Pushmataha or Stephens.

Requests for applications for the Sam Noble Scholarships in agriculture and technology may be submitted online at www.noble.org/sam-noble-scholarship. Questions regarding the scholarship can be directed by email to scholarships@noble.org. Completed scholarship applications must be received on or before Feb. 15, 2016.

The scholarship program is named in honor of the late Sam Noble, who created the program through a gift to the Noble Foundation. Sam Noble was a longtime member of the Noble Foundation Board of Trustees and a son of Lloyd Noble, who founded the organization in 1945.

“Sam Noble believed a quality education was one of the keys to leading a successful life,” said Bill Buckner, president and CEO of the Noble Foundation. “He once said, ‘An excellent education is something that no one can ever take away from you; you can use it for the rest of your life.'”

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