TULSA (Oct. 20, 2009) – Oklahoma State University-Tulsa will host a Gates Millennium Scholarship Workshop for high school students and their parents on Saturday, Oct. 24 at 9 a.m. in the Conference Center.

OSU financial aid representatives will assist students with the essay portion of the application, offer valuable input regarding the process and provide technical assistance with the online application.

The workshop will also include a session for parents and guardians who are interested in learning about the Gates scholarship program and financial aid in general.

Established in 1999, the Gates Millennium Scholarship program was initially funded by a $1 billion grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The program has funded more than 13,000 scholars since its inception.

The goal of the program is to promote academic excellence and provide an opportunity for outstanding minority students with significant financial need to reach their highest potential.

Students are eligible to be considered for a Gates Millennium Scholarship if they are African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian and Pacific Islander American, or Hispanic American; are a citizen, legal permanent resident or national of the U. S.; graduate from high school in 2010 with a cumulative GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale; will be entering a U.S. accredited college or university as a full-time, degree-seeking freshman in the fall; meet the Federal Pell Grant eligibility criteria (visit www.fafsa.ed.gov for more information); and have demonstrated leadership abilities through participation in community service, extracurricular or other activities.

The workshop is free and students must register to attend at www.okstate.edu/finaid/gates. For more information, call 918-594-8104.

News Contacts:

Mary Bea Drummond
918-594-8223

Trish McBeath
918-594-8360