Financial Aid Information for OSU Parents

The OSU Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid is here to help you and your student locate the financial assistance programs for which you may qualify. More than 80 percent of the students who attend OSU receive some form of financial assistance.  OSU students received more than $207 million during the 2007-2008 award year.

OSU uses a variety of financial assistance programs, including scholarships, grants, work-study, loans or a combination of the four, to help families pay for college. Some awards are based primarily on academic achievement, potential and/or leadership activities and community service. Other programs are based all, or in part, on financial need, as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Still other programs, in the form of student and parent loans, are available to families who do not demonstrate eligibility in the need-based programs.

Much of the aid is made available through federal and state programs. A number of programs have limited funding, so it is important to apply early and to apply each year (as soon after January 1st as possible). We look forward to working with you and your student, and we welcome your questions and suggestions.

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Special Information for Parents of New OSU Students

• Receiving Refunds of Excess Financial Aid- (from the OSU Bursar's Office).
• Electronic Bursar Bills
• Direct Parent (PLUS) Loan Frequently Asked Questions
• Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan Frequently Asked Questions
• Enrollment Changes and Financial Aid Eligibility
• Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid Eligibility- Federal regulations require that the academic progress of students who apply for federal financial aid be monitored.  The policy applies only to applicants for federal and state (OTAG) assistance; recipients of OSU scholarships, university fee/tuition waivers or athletic grant-in-aid must meet the eligibility requirements of the respective program.
• Federal Work-Study Information-  Did your student receive a Work-Study award?  Find out more about how they earn the funds.
• Financial Literacy- We want to help your student learn more about being responsible with their finances and make the most of their funding.

Interactive Tools

• OSU Tuition Estimator- Calculate an estimate of OSU tuition and fees.
• FAFSA on the Web- Students and their families can submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) via the internet using FAFSA on the Web, from the U.S. Department of Education.
• Federal Student Aid FAFSA4caster- Can't submit the FAFSA until after January 1st of your student's senior year, but want to get an idea of how the calculations work?  Use the FAFSA4caster to get an estimate.
• U.S. Department of Education PIN Registration Site- The PIN serves as the identifier to let students/parents access personal information in various U.S. Department of Education systems. Both students and parents are encouraged to request a PIN before completing the FAFSA.
• fastWEB Scholarship Search- A really good, free scholarship search program (for non-OSU scholarships). Students are provided with an electronic mailbox they can check periodically, and online form letters for use in communicating with scholarship agencies.
• Get Smart about your Money - Provides an on-line resource library of budgeting information and offers a step-by-step format for developing a budget.
• Loan Calculators - Calculate loan payments and accrued interest on student and parent loans.

Information

• OSU Office of Undergraduate Admissions - OSU admission requirements and information.
• U.S. Department of Education- The U.S. Department of Education administers the federal financial aid programs used by 75% of student aid recipients.
• Oklahoma College Savings Plan- The Oklahoma College Savings Plan provides families with a smart, flexible way to save for their children's future. The Plan offers a choice of investment options, tax advantages and the flexibility of using savings at any qualified higher education institution both in the United States and abroad.
• "Oklahoma's Promise"-- Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program (OHLAP)- A unique program set up by the Oklahoma Legislature for eighth, ninth and 10th grade Oklahoma students that will help pay for their college education if their family's income is $50,000 or less at the time they enroll in the program.
• The Student Guide - Financial Aid from the U.S. Department of Education. Includes an overview of the financial aid process and descriptions of federal financial aid programs and requirements.