Summary
This session introduces families to postsecondary education options and the costs associated with education after high school. Participants learn about Oklahoma’s Promise and how it reduces financial barriers. The session concludes with hands-on support from parent volunteers to help families begin or complete the Oklahoma’s Promise application.
Essential Question
How can families plan and prepare for postsecondary education by understanding costs, options, and available supports like Oklahoma’s Promise?
Learning Objectives
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Explain what postsecondary education is and identify different postsecondary pathways.
Describe Oklahoma’s Promise, including eligibility requirements and what the program covers.
Recognize the cost of postsecondary education and reflect on how it impacts family planning.
Snapshot
Engage
Participants estimate the cost of college-related items, compare their guesses to actual prices, and discuss their reactions.
Explore
Participants define postsecondary education (PSE) and review Oklahoma’s Promise scholarship, including what it covers and who can apply.
Explain
Participants examine different types of postsecondary education and identify which options may be covered by Oklahoma’s Promise.
Extend
Participants review the Oklahoma’s Promise application and begin completing it with support from parent volunteers.
Evaluate
Participants use the Muddiest Point strategy to reflect on their learning and ask clarifying questions.
Materials List
Presentation Slides (attached)
What’s the Price? Poster (attached)
Internet-enabled devices (e.g., Chromebooks, tablets, smartphones)
Preparation
Arrange appropriate seating for participants to comfortably engage in the session.
Ensure there are enough devices for participants to use.
Hang up the attached What’s the Price? poster at the front of the room.
Navigate to the Oklahoma’s Promise application on the devices that will be used so it is easily accessible when needed.
Engage
15 Minute(s)
Use the attached Presentation Slides to guide this activity. Display slide 1 and welcome participants to the session. Take a few minutes to introduce yourself and any co-facilitators.
Transition to slide 2 and invite participants to guess the price of each item displayed. Play the 1-minute timer and allow participants to write down their guesses.
Next, direct participants' attention to the What’s the Price? poster at the front of the room. Invite them to share their guesses for each item.
Move to slide 4 and reveal the actual price for each item. Facilitate a whole-group discussion using the following questions. Pause after each question to allow participants to respond.
How did your initial guesses compare to the actual prices?
Which price surprised you the most? Why?
How does seeing these prices make you feel?
Explore
10 Minute(s)
Display slide 5 and introduce the term postsecondary education (PSE) to participants. Explain that postsecondary education refers to any type of education after high school.
Move to slide 7 and review Oklahoma’s Promise. Explain what the scholarship is, what it may cover, and who can apply.
Go to slide 8 and play the provided video with participants.
Explain
15 Minute(s)
Use slides 9–11 to introduce each type of postsecondary education. As you move through the slides, ask participants to identify examples of each pathway and discuss how Oklahoma’s Promise may apply. Pause throughout the discussion to answer questions participants have about each option.
Move through slides 12–13 to review the differences between public and private universities and in-state versus out-of-state institutions. Reiterate that Oklahoma’s Promise pays full tuition at public, in-state colleges and partial tuition at Oklahoma private colleges and career tech centers. Additionally, it pays partial tuition at Oklahoma private colleges and career tech centers.
Extend
20 Minute(s)
Display slide 14 and explain to participants that facilitators and other parent volunteers will now be supporting them as they begin the Oklahoma’s Promise application.
Transition to slide 15 and play the 20-minute timer. Encourage participants to use this time to complete their applications. As participants work through their application, circulate the room and offer support and guidance as needed.
Evaluate
5 Minute(s)
Display slide 16 and review the Muddiest Point strategy with participants. Ask participants to share their responses to the following prompt:
What was the muddiest (most confusing) point of today’s session?
Use this time for participants to ask clarifying questions so they feel confident moving forward.
After all questions and concerns have been addressed, move to slide 17 and thank all participants for their time and engagement.
Resources
Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. (2025, November 6). Oklahoma’s Promise Fall 2025: Apply Today! [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5J_T7HCWBM
K20 Center. (n.d.). Muddiest point. Strategies. https://learn.k20center.ou.edu/strategy/109
K20 Center. (2021, September 21). 1-Minute Timer [video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ilD555O_RE
K20 Center. (2022, April 6). 20-Minute Timer. YouTube [video]. https://youtu.be/m3zT2IxZQaw?si=e5t6maSu94jBzCzF