OKLAHOMA CITY -- In the past five years, the average total cost of attending an in-state public school has risen 22 percent, even after taking inflation into account, according to the College Board. The average in-state tuition and fees at a four-year public university rose 6.6 percent to $6,185 this academic year, and average total costs, including room and board, rose 5.9 percent to $13,589. Many high school students, and their parents, are looking for any additional scholarships and grants that can help ease the pain of paying soaring tuition prices.

The Oklahoma Heritage Association's Scholarship Competition provides an extra opportunity for Oklahoma high school students to earn scholarships and grants for college. With more than $400,000 available to students statewide, the OHA offers $1,000 in cash or tuition grants to students in each county who earn high scores on an Oklahoma history test.

Individual donors and Oklahoma colleges and universities provide the cash scholarships and tuition grants in the counties of their choice. Both Oklahoma City University and Oklahoma Christian University have made tuition waivers available in all 77 counties.

The test will be given April 11 at 16 locations across the state. Students in grades nine through 12 are eligible to take the exam, and all students must pre-register by March 27.

In addition to the Oklahoma Heritage Scholarship Competition, the Oklahoma Heritage Association offers the four-year, $10,000 John W. and Mary D. Nichols Scholarship. As the name implies, John and Mary Nichols of Oklahoma City generously fund the scholarship.

To see a list of scholarships available in each county, to register for the test, to download a study guide or to download the Nichols Scholarship nomination form, visit www.oklahomaheritage.com or call 235-4458.

For information about becoming a scholarship donor, call Gini Moore Campbell, director of publications and education, at 523-3202.