FINE PRINT: TUITION, FINANCIAL AID & SCHOLARSHIPS
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HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO ATTEND OTTERBEIN?
WHAT KIND OF AID PACKAGE CAN I EXPECT?
HOW DO OTTERBEIN FAMILIES PAY FOR SCHOOL?
2014-2015 EXPENSES Tuition $ 31,424 Room $ 5,166 Board $ 4,294 Student Life Fee $ 200 __________________________ TOTAL $ 41,084
Otterbein’s Affordability Estimator helps you predict the type of aid you might receive. Simply plug in your test scores, your G.P.A., and some other basic financial information and you’ll get an estimate of the aid package you will likely be offered. Explore how varying test scores affect your package to determine if it might be worth taking a standardized test once more.
Otterbein Aid 39.7%
We estimate the cost of books to range from $900 to $1,200 per year depending on courses. The cost is not included on any Otterbein billing.
CAN I AFFORD OTTERBEIN’S EXCELLENCE? We know it’s a big number. But this page begins to help explain how many families are able to afford Otterbein. We believe in supporting students. We invest in talent and we invest in families who need support. That is why 82 percent of Otterbein students receive some form of merit and/or need-based aid.
ARE THERE OTHER STUDENT FEES NOT REFLECTED IN THE TOTAL ABOVE? There are no hidden student fees. You have access to the recreation center, fitness classes, tickets for home athletic events and all arts events, student organizations, the health center, washers and dryers and printers in computer labs, among other things, at no additional charge. You will, however, have to cover costs for your participation in travel courses, or study abroad programs. And some specialized offerings, like private music lessons and art, equine and nursing courses, do have additional costs. (Those additional charges are noted in the schedule of classes and the course catalog.)
WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS FOR PAYMENT? Semester Payment Plan: Payment is due the first day of the term. Monthly Payment Plan: With Otterbein’s e-pay, families can sign up and manage their own payment plan.
Out-of-pocket 30.5% (monthly payment plan, savings, etc.)
MERIT-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS $5,000 to $31,424 (full tuition) TALENT AWARDS* Up to $20,000 OTHER SCHOLARSHIPS** $1,000 to $5,000
* Talent awards are available through audition and competition in music, theatre and communication. Award amounts are inclusive of any other merit scholarships. ** Some additional smaller scholarship funds exist for members of the United Methodist Church, legacy students, multicultural students and students with a commitment to community service.
WHERE CAN I FIND OTTERBEIN’S AFFORDABILITY ESTIMATOR? www.otterbein.edu/estimator
WHY SHOULD I APPLY FOR AID? Every family’s situation is different. In fact, Otterbein awards need-based aid to families with higher incomes than most public universities do. The FAFSA also guarantees families access to low-interest student loans. Take a look at how aid was awarded to the 2014-2015 entering class of new students*. AVERAGE FAMILY INCOME
>$135,000 <$125,000 <$100,000 <$60,000 <$30,000
AVERAGE AWARD (merit & need-based aid)
$15,000 $18,800 $19,500 $23,800 $28,000
PLUS & Private loans 13.6% Federal loans 11.3% Federal & State need-based aid 5.0%
AREN’T PRIVATE SCHOOLS MORE EXPENSIVE? What many families don’t realize is that Otterbein works tirelessly to offer scholarships and competitive financial aid packages that bring a private school education closer to the cost of a state school. State of Ohio Average Debt at Graduation
$29,037*
Otterbein
$26,438**
** Of these Otterbein students... 24% graduated debt-free 56% graduated with only low-interest federal loans 20% graduated with federal and private loans * SOURCE: Based on data from the Project on Student Debt (Class of 2013) ** SOURCE: Otterbein University, mean debt of 2014 graduates.
“You will get your money’s worth. Otterbein does a great job of preparing you for the real world. There’s no sugar coating. It’s hard. You will work but you will be prepared.” MATTHEW SOPPELSA '14 Designer at Glantz Design in Chicago
* Based on parents’ total income from FAFSA. Reflects merit and need-based aid. Does not include loans. visit otterbein.edu for more details