2026 Scholarship

Application Review

Thank you so much for volunteering your time to review the 2026 Chahta Foundation Scholarship applications. We wrote out these steps to help with the review process and give you some information on scoring applications!

Click here for a copy of the
Scholarship Rubric

Question about the review process?
Email us or give us a call at (580) 642-7791

One application. Unlimited opportunity.
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Choctaw Nation Scholarships - Choctaw Scholarships | Chahta Foundation

How to review the 2026 Chahta Foundation Applications

Process

Login to the scholarship database
Using any browser, except internet explorer, please visit:
- chahtafoundation.awardspring.com
- Your username is your email address.
- Please select ‘Forgot Password’ and an email will be sent to create your password, if you have not previously created one.
- By logging in, you acknowledge that you have read, agree, and will adhere to the terms of the Chahta Scholarship Non-Disclosure Agreement.
To begin reviewing
After you log in, you will see a list of your associated groups. You will see what percentage of applications you have completed and the number remaining. Select the group (example: High School, Undergraduate, Masters, Doctorate) to see your list of applications for consideration and scoring.
- After you begin reviewing, you will be able to sort by your given score or if the scoring is complete.
Reviewing an application
After selecting an application, begin to look through the provided information.
- A scoring rubric is provided on screen. Click here for greater detail on the scoring rubric.
  - Cultural Engagement and Tribal Connection – Up to 40 points
  - Academic Readiness and Ability to Succeed – Up to 25 points
  - Purpose and Direction – Up to 15 points
  - Personal Engagement and Passion – Up to 10 points
  - Achievements and Effort – Up to 10 points
- After scoring each category, please save and select next.
- You are able to change your score later if you desire.
Stay in touch

Once you have completed the review of all of your applications, or if you have any questions during the review process or about our scholarship program, please let us know!

2026 Scholarship Application Review FAQs

Scholarship Rubric

Cultural Engagement and Tribal Connection (40 points)

• What Reviewers Evaluate

– Connection to Choctaw identity, values, or community

– Willingness to engage if currently less connected

– Authenticity (not generic or transactional)

• Scoring Guide

• 36 – 40 (Exceptional): Deep, personal connection; demonstrates pride, responsibility, and clear intention to give back or stay engaged

• 26 – 35 (Strong): Clear connection or genuine desire to engage more; thoughtful reflection

• 16 – 25 (Moderate): Some mention of culture/identity, but surface-level or unclear

• 0 – 5 (Weak): Minimal or generic

Academic Readiness and Ability to Succeed (25 points)

• What Reviewers Evaluate

– GPA in context

– Chosen field + commitment

– Evidence of persistence, discipline, or growth

• Scoring Guide

– 21 – 25: Strong academic record AND clear evidence of follow-through and discipline

– 16 – 20: Solid academic performance with good indicators of success

– 11 – 15: Shows effort and potential

– 0 – 10: Minimal evidence of academic readiness

• Reviewer Note: Consider circumstances. This is about likelihood to succeed in their chosen field.

Purpose and Direction (15 points): Why did you select your field of study? How do you hope to use the knowledge and skills you acquire to benefit your family, community, and tribe?

• What Reviewers Evaluate

– Why they chose their field

– Clarity of goals

– Alignment with personal interests or community impact

• Scoring Guide

– 13 – 15: Clear, compelling purpose; strong alignment between interest and goals

– 10 – 12: Good reasoning, somewhat defined goals

– 6 – 9: General or unclear direction

– 0 – 5: Vague or unconvincing

Personal Engagement & Passion (10 points): Describe a topic or idea that you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time.

• What Reviewers Evaluate

– Authentic passion

– Self-awareness

– Curiosity or drive

• Scoring Guide:

– 9 – 10: Highly engaging, authentic, memorable

– 6 – 8: Clear interest and enthusiasm

– 3 – 5: Some engagement but limited depth

– 0 – 2: Generic or disengaged

Achievements and Effort (10 points): Please share a few accomplishments or milestones – inside or outside of the classroom – that you are especially proud of.

• What reviewers evaluate:

– Accomplishments relative to opportunity

– Initiative, leadership, or persistence

• Scoring Guide:

– 9 – 10: Strong achievements with clear effort/initiative

– 6 – 8: Solid accomplishments

– 3 – 5: Shows some effort

– 0 – 2: Minimal or unclear

Please click here for a downloadable copy of the review rubric

What is the ACT to SAT Conversion?

ACT	SAT Range	ACT	SAT Range	ACT	SAT Range	ACT	SAT Range
36	1570-1600	29	1330-1350	22	1100-1120	15	830-870
35	1530-1560	28	1300-1320	21	1060-1090	14	780-820
34	1490-1520	27	1260-1290	20	1030-1050	13	730-770
33	1450-1480	26	1230-1250	19	990-1020	12	690-720
32	1420-1440	25	1200-1220	18	960-980	11	650-680
31	1390-1410	24	1160-1190	17	920-950	10	620-640
30	1360-1380	23	1130-1150	16	880-910	9	590-610
Click here for more information

3rd Party Scholarship Information

Here are some common scholarships and their requirements:

Program	Value	Threshold	Requirements
Oklahoma’s Promise	College Tuition	$55,000 or below	• Must be an Oklahoma resident. • Must enroll in the 8th, 9th or 10th grade. • The parents’ federal adjusted gross income must not exceed $55K per year.
Pell Grant	The maximum Federal Pell Grant award is $6,345 for the 2020–21 award year	Expected Family Contribution is at or below $5,140. Typically, Income $60,000 and below.	• Be an undergraduate student who has not earned a bachelor’s degree (with some exceptions for students in post baccalaureate teaching programs) • Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program • Have earned a high school diploma or a GED or have completed a high school education in an approved home-school setting • Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen
Academic Scholars Program(Regents)	Full cost of tuition, books, fees room, and board	Not income based	• Oklahoma students can automatically qualify for the program by achieving designation as a National Merit Scholar, National Merit Finalist or United States Presidential Scholar or by scoring at or above the 99.5 percentile on the ACT or SAT. • For fall 2020, the ACT required score is a total sum score of the skill areas of 135. • For fall 2020, the SAT required score is a total sum score of the critical reading and math skill areas of 1540. • Public colleges and universities may also nominate students attending their institution for the program based on criteria established by each institution.

Do I have a deadline to review these?

We would like the subcommittee to finish review by April 21st in order to let applicants know of their scholarship status as soon as possible.

I recognize this person - what do I do?

If you recognize the applicant, please contact us, and we will assign the applicant to a different subcommittee member.

The documents are hard to read...

We do our best to present the application as close as possible to the original submission. At times, the students will submit a low-quality image of their documentation. Please review to the best of your ability.