Empowering students for a brighter future.
Becoming More - Doing More - Giving More
The MORE Foundation is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1990. The Primary focus of the foundation is to facilitate higher educational pursuits for high school seniors living in Carter County, Oklahoma.
The MORE Foundation believes that education is a valuable and necessary component for success in today’s fast paced and changing environment. Our goal is to help young people become more than they ever thought possible… so that they can do more with the opportunities they are provided… and eventually, give more of themselves and their resources to make a difference in the lives of others.
Our Mission
The mission of The MORE Foundation is to provide financial incentives to all Carter County public high school graduates from average income families to pursue higher education goals at Oklahoma colleges, universities, and vocational-technical schools of their choice.
We believe that higher education promotes individual and social growth, enabling young people to develop skills and experience life lessons that will assist them in becoming productive citizens who give back to the community.
This program does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, national origin, or religious affiliation.
The MORE Scholarship
For more than 30 years, The MORE Foundation has been changing the lives of high school seniors in Carter County who desired to obtain a college education. In fact, since 1990 the foundation has awarded approximately $9 million in scholarships helping average income families, many who do not qualify for other assistance, send their student to college.
Not only does The MORE Foundation assist with sending these students to college their first year, the foundation continues to support recipients who meet the retention requirements through their four years of education.
The MORE Scholarship has specific qualifications which must be met by applicants. Selection of the scholarship recipients is made by a committee appointed by the Board of Directors of The MORE Foundation.
To review qualifications, click here.
To access the online application, please click the “Apply” button below.
About The MORE Foundation
The late Ward S. Merrick, Jr. had a vision to create a scholarship that would benefit students from middle income families who needed assistance to fulfill the dream of attending a college, university or vocational-technical school.
Together with his son Frank W. Merrick, they created the Greater Ardmore Scholarship Foundation (GASF) in 1990. Ardmore and Plainview High School graduates were the only schools eligible until 1997, when the Southern Oklahoma Memorial Foundation began funding all surrounding Carter County schools. This broadened the scope of service and enabled all Carter County students to be eligible to receive the scholarship.
In August of 2014, under the leadership of Jeni Merrick Baker, with a new vision to expand avenues of support, the organization was renamed The MORE Foundation, with The MORE Scholarship falling under the auspices of the foundation’s educational pursuits. The MORE Foundation has been in operation for so many years with continued success, thanks to the generosity and contributions of the citizens of Carter County and private foundations. A non-profit organization, The MORE Foundation through The MORE Scholarship, has awarded approximately nine million dollars in scholarships since 1990.
“The More Scholarship has given me the ability to get my Bachelor’s degree in History and teach a subject I love, while having a positive impact on young people. I am so thankful for the MORE Scholarship.”
— Robert Johnson, 2013 Lone Grove Recipient
Scholarships Contact
Amber Shelton- Communities Foundation of Oklahoma Director of Scholarships
Email
ashelton@cfok.org
Phone
(405) 488-1450
The MORE Foundation Contact
Scott Ownbey- Executive Director
Email
morefdn@gmail.com
Phone
(580) 223-1560