ARDMORE, Okla. — 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 bachelors or graduate degrees. Agriculture study areas range from communications and economics to agribusiness and biosystems agricultural engineering. Technology certifications or degrees available extend in fields across the spectrum of vocations, including computer information systems, photography, high-voltage electricity and more.

 “The Sam Noble Scholarships play a pivotal role in providing opportunities for students in southern Oklahoma,” said Alexis Carter-Black, director of philanthropy for the Noble Foundation. “We encourage all eligible students to take advantage of this opportunity and apply as soon as possible.”

 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 2019-2020 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.

 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 campuses.

 Further information and access to the online scholarship application may be found online at www.noblefoundation.org/scholarships. Questions regarding the scholarship can be directed by email to scholarships@noblefoundation.org. Completed scholarship applications must be received on or before Feb. 15, 2019.

 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 Noble Research Institute in 1945.

 Since 1999, more than 200 Oklahoma students studying agriculture and technology have been awarded scholarships in excess of $2.8 million.

 “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.’”