Financial Aid Basics

OKLAHOMA CITY UNIVERSITY

THE BASICS

OF FINANCIAL AID

AN INVESTMENT THAT PAYS DIVIDENDS The value of an OCU education lasts a lifetime.

You want value and we understand that. A college education is an investment that will pay tremendous dividends for years to come - for the rest of your life. If OCU is the right place for you, we will work with your family to design a financial aid package that meets your needs.

THE INVESTMENT Tuition

$11,680 per semester based on 12-16 credit hour block

Fees

Lab and class fees vary per specific classes. Standard fees are $100 per credit hour.

Housing

$1,710-$3,975 per semester based on housing choice

Meal Plan

$1,940 per semester for typical meal plan

Oklahoma City University is one of the most affordable private universities in the country.

Oklahoma City University seniors ranked OCU higher than the national average when asked how their university helped them acquire job or work-related knowledge and skills.

From the 2009 National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE)

MAKING YOUR OCU EDUCATION AFFORDABLE How We Determine Your Financial Aid Award Package The Office of Financial Aid will assist you in financing your OCU education through a variety of scholarships, grants, loans and student employment. A combination of these programs is called an “award package.”

Some awards, such as academic scholarships, are based on your academic potential or achievement. Talent scholarships are based on your performance in performing arts auditions. Other assistance is based on your financial “need.” (Your financial “need” is the difference between the amount it costs to attend Oklahoma City University and the estimated amount you and your family can pay toward those costs as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.) Some students receive assistance through a combination of need-based aid, academic scholarships and special talent awards.

Your award package will be based on your individual circumstances.

UNDERGRADUATE FIXED-RATE TUITION PLAN OPTION

Oklahoma City University offers a four year, fixed-rate tuition plan option available to any undergraduate student who elects to enroll in the plan at the Student Financial Services Office prior to the first day of classes in August of 2011. The fixed rate for a block of 12-16 hours of coursework will be set in the Spring of 2011. The rate is slightly higher for the first year (2011-2012) but is not subject to increases for a student’s four years of undergraduate study. Classes taken after the Spring 2015 semester will be charged at the published tuition rate in effect at that time. The fixed rate has proven to be a good value since tuition has traditionally steadily increased. The fees charged each semester are not at a fixed rate and are subject to increases.

90%

More than of OCU students receive some type of financial assistance.

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OKLAHOMA CITY UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES All OCU incoming freshmen are automatically considered for a variety of merit-based academic scholarships when they apply to the university.

2011 OCU ACADEMIC MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS

• A 3.0 high school GPA qualifies you for consideration for these merit- based awards.

• Either ACT or SAT scores are acceptable. (Scores exclude the writing portion of the tests.)

• Merit awards are renewable and are based on available funding after March 1, 2011, and March 1 of each subsequent year.

• To remain eligible, full-time undergraduates must maintain a 3.0 GPA in their OCU coursework.

• These scholarships may be stacked with other awards up to the yearly cost of tuition.

Name of Award

ACT/SAT required

Amount of Award

Trustee Merit Award Presidential Merit Award University Merit Award Achievement Merit Award

33-36/1440-1600 29-32/1290-1430 26-28/1170-1280 24-25/1090-1160

$7,000 $5,000 $4,000 $3,000

LYONEL

BRIANNA

PATRICK

These students were awarded Merit Schola OCU will recognize YOU the same way!

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KRAMER SCHOOL OF NURSING, MEINDERS SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND PETREE COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS IN ADDITION TO ACADEMIC MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS ON THE PREVIOUS PAGE, freshmen students admitted to the School of Nursing, School of Business or College of Arts and Sciences are eligible for departmental merit scholarships.

To be eligible for these awards students must • Meet all eligibility and satisfactory academic progress requirements listed in “OCU Academic Merit Scholarships” on the previous page.

• Be admitted to a degree program in the School of Nursing, School of Business or College of Arts and Sciences.

ACT/SAT score 33-36/1440-1600 29-32/1290-1430 26-28/1170-1280 24-25/1090-1160

Amount of award $13,000 $9,000 $6,000 $4,000

Other Departmental Merit Scholarships Departmental awards are available in many other degree programs.

Academic programs offer departmental scholarships that may be combined with the Academic Merit Scholarships listed above.

Departmental awards vary in amount and are based on a combination of ACT or SAT scores, high school GPA and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) results.

ASHTON

LUIS

CLANCEY

arships for their academic achievement….

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TALENT-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS Talent-based scholarships in areas such as art, athletics, dance, music and theatre require auditions or other assessments. Talent-based scholarships may be combined with academic merit-based scholarships.

Dance Performance and Dance Management Scholarships • Based on audition • Audition dates, guidelines and procedures available @ www.okcu.edu/Dance_amgt/audition.asp Music Scholarships • Based on audition • Audition dates, requirements and audition forms available @ www.okcu.edu/music/auditioninfo.aspx Studio Art and Photography Scholarships • Based on portfolio assessment • Information about the School of Visual Arts available @ www.okcu.edu/petree/humanities/art

Theatre Scholarships • Based on audition • Audition dates, requirements and audition forms available @ www.okcu.edu/theatre/auditions.aspx

Contact the Office of Admissions or your admissions counselor if you have questions about talent-based scholarships.

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ADDITIONAL UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS AT OKLAHOMA CITY UNIVERSITY

Qualification and eligibility details, applications and application deadlines for the scholarships listed below are online @ www.okcu.edu/financialaid/ugradscholarships.asp All scholarships have application deadlines! Some scholarships have priority dates that are to your advantage to meet.

OCU National Scholar Awards These scholarships consist of a wide range of comprehensive tuition, room and board and book award packages.

Recipients eligible for these scholarships include: National Merit Finalists and Scholars National Hispanic Scholar Finalists National Achievement Scholars Oklahoma State Regents Academic Scholars Clara Luper and American Indian Scholarships These four-year scholarship programs present outstanding opportunities for academically accomplished and community service-oriented students from under-represented populations. For more information on these awards, visit www.okcu.edu/students/multicultural.

Oikos Scholars All Oikos Scholars participate in service learning projects each year, complete courses addressing issues of peace, justice and ecological sustainability and are required to complete at least one approved international education experience while at Oklahoma City University.

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ADDITIONAL UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS AT OKLAHOMA CITY UNIVERSITY (continued) Chesapeake Energy Presidential Scholars OCU freshmen entering the Meinders School of Business majoring in accounting, business administration, computer science, economics, finance, information technology, marketing, not-for-profit business or sports business may be eligible for this scholarship coordinated by OCU business faculty and representatives from Chesapeake Energy, Inc. Students selected may receive awards up to $25,000 per year for four years. Preference is given to students from Oklahoma.

OCU Leads This scholarship is designed for freshmen who have demonstrated outstanding leadership during their high school careers and who display potential for leadership at Oklahoma City University.

The Mary Ellen & George R. Randall Endowed Great Plan Scholarship This competitive four-year scholarship covers tuition, room and board and fees and is awarded to a student who intends to study science, math or computer science. Preference is given to students from Oklahoma or the Midwest.

Undergraduate Research Scholarships The Undergraduate Research Program is open for students who have proven research and academic skills from high school credentials. The Undergraduate Research Scholarship selection committee will assess multiple criteria including but not limited to ACT/SAT score, grade point average, letter of recommendation from a teacher or mentor, community involvement and need. An interview will be scheduled with selected applications.

Frank Brooks Memorial Science Scholarship This competitive full-tuition four-year scholarship is awarded to an outstanding Oklahoma student who chooses to major in the sciences at OCU. United Methodist Scholarships United Methodist students are eligible for scholarships based on their membership in the United Methodist Church. Also available are Methodist minister dependent scholarships and scholarships for students who plan to enter the ministry.

Bishop Scholars These scholarships are full-tuition four-year scholarships awarded to outstanding students majoring in religion.

85%

OF OUR STUDENTS ARE AWARDED OCU APPROXIMATELY ACADEMIC MERIT AND TALENT-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS. IN ADDITION, STUDENTS MAY QUALIFY FOR GRANTS, LOANS AND PART-TIME CAMPUS EMPLOYMENT.

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FEDERAL AND STATE GRANTS

Numerous federal and state grants are available based on the results of your FAFSA. The eligibility criteria, award amounts and application deadlines can be found on the Oklahoma City University Financial Aid website at www.okcu.edu/financialaid. Choose “Undergraduate” from the web menu and then click on “Types of Assistance” to learn more.

Pell Grants Academic Competitiveness Grants (ACG) National SMART Grants Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grants (OTAG) Oklahoma Tuition Equalization Grants (OTEG) Federal Work Study

FEDERAL LOANS

Undergraduate students are eligible for several federal loan programs. More information on these loans can be found at www.okcu.edu/financialaid.

Select the “Direct Loans F.A.Q” and “Direct Loan Website” options on the web menu to learn more about federal loans including: Stafford Loans Parent PLUS Loans Perkins Loans

PRIVATE EDUCATION LOANS

Students and families who are not eligible for federal loans may be able to utilize a private education loan. You may view a list of frequently used private loan programs online at www.okcu.edu/financialaid by selecting the “Private Lenders” option on the web menu.

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HOW DO I APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID? 1. Apply for admission to Oklahoma City University.

2. Apply for a PIN number online at www.pin.ed.gov so you can sign your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) electronically. If you are considered a dependent student for financial aid purposes, your parent will need a PIN also.

3. Complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Include Oklahoma City University’s federal school code (003166) on the application to ensure that we receive the processed application.

4. Complete a Student Data Form. This form is available online @ www.okcu.edu/financialaid/forms.asp.

5. The Department of Education randomly selects approximately 30% of financial aid applicants for a process called “verification.” If your application is one of those selected for verification, you will be required to complete a Verification Worksheet and provide signed copies of federal tax forms and W-2 forms.

6. If any additional information is necessary to complete your application, the Office of Financial Aid will send correspondence via university e-mail requesting the additional information. To expedite your award package, submit missing information as quickly as possible.

When you are awarded a financial aid package, you will be able to access it online. You will be notified of your login and password in an email from the Office of Admissions in order to view and accept your financial aid award.

HOW DO I ACCEPT MY AWARD? 1. When you are accepted to Oklahoma City University, you will receive a BlueLink login and password from the Admissions Office. THIS IS IMPORTANT. BlueLink is your online information link to the University.

It will provide you information about your OCU student e-mail account, enrollment, financial aid, announcements and more. If you have not received your login and password before you receive your Financial Aid Award, contact your admissions counselor.

2. Log on to BlueLink and click on the “Student Financial Services” tab.

Then select the “Financial Aid Awards” link to view your Award Package. (You must accept the Terms and Agreement information in order to view your award package.)

3. You must accept the awards you wish to utilize and submit the notification to the Office of Financial Aid for further processing.

4. If you have questions about your Financial Aid Award Offer, contact the Financial Aid Office by e-mail (finaid@okcu.edu) or phone (405-208-5211).

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YOU’VE WORKED HARD.NOW WE’LL REWARD YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS!

At Oklahoma City University your application for admission is also your application for scholarships.

When completing your application for admission, indicate the types of scholarships for which you would like to be considered.

Students are strongly encouraged to apply for admission and scholarships early while scholarships are most abundant. In most cases, scholarships are stackable but may not exceed the cost of tuition.

HELPFUL CONTACTS: Website www.okcu.edu Student Financial Services E-mail www.finaid@okcu.edu Phone (405) 208-5211 Office of Admissions E-mail admissions@okcu.edu Phone (405) 208-5050.

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2501 North Blackwelder Oklahoma City, OK 73106-1493

www.okcu.edu Where you’re a name, not a number.