STATE OF OKLAHOMA FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS

For more detailed information on state financial aid programs contact:

Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education

655 Research Parkway, Suite 200

Oklahoma City , OK 73104

Phone: 405.225.9100

Fax: 405.225.9230

http://www.okhighered.org/index.shtml

Please go to this website for all the information about the different programs.

The following are financial aid programs available to students who are residents of the state of Oklahoma.

Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant Program (OTAG)

OTAG is a need-based grant program for Oklahoma residents who attend approved colleges, universities and career technology centers in Oklahoma. Awards are approved for fulltime or part-time undergraduate students.

Application

Application is made through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) available online at www.fafsa.gov, through high school guidance counselors or the financial aid office at the college you are planning to attend. For best consideration, you should complete and submit the FAFSA to the federal student aid application system as soon as possible after Jan. 1 of your senior year. IT IS IMPORTANT TO APPLY EARLY. Typically, the OTAG program receives more eligible applications than can be awarded with available funds, and how early a student applies can be the deciding factor in whether that student is offered an OTAG award.

Eligibility

Financial need is measured by the Expected Family Contribution EFC), which is determined based on the information the student provides on their FAFSA. The maximum EFC eligible to receive OTAG may vary from year to year based on volume of eligible applications received and available state funding. The EFC appears on the Student Aid Report sent to students by the U.S. Department of Education once their FAFSA has been processed. An award will not be denied for academic reasons as long as the college’s minimum requirements for admission are fulfilled and satisfactory academic progress is made according to the school’s policy for student financial aid recipients.

For More Information

Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education

800.858.1840

225.9239 (Oklahoma City area)

studentinfo@osrhe.edu

www.otag.org

Oklahoma’s Promise (Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program)

The Oklahoma Legislature created a scholarship program that will help pay for a student’s education if his/her parents’ total yearly income is not more than $50,000 at the time of application and not more than $100,000 at the time the student goes to college. That program is called Oklahoma’s Promise.

How It Works

• Student must be an Oklahoma resident and enroll in the program in eighth, ninth or 10th grade (home-schooled students age 13, 14 or 15). Student starts early so he/she can get ready for college by taking high school courses that will help him/her do well.

• Student must take certain courses and pass those courses with at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average. (See below for a full description of required curriculum.)

• Student must achieve at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average for all courses in grades 9-12. Student must go to class regularly and do his/her homework.

• Student also agrees to stay out of serious trouble and away from drugs and alcohol.

• Student must be a U.S. citizen or lawfully present in the United States to receive the scholarship in college.

• Student must meet additional financial, academic and conduct requirements to keep the scholarship after enrolling in college.

Academic Scholars Program

The Academic Scholars Program was created and funded by the Oklahoma Legislature as an incentive for students of high academic ability to attend both public and private higher education institutions in Oklahoma. The program was created to enhance the academic environment, to retain academically talented students within Oklahoma and to attract others of equal talent to the state.

Application

Applications are available every October and can be obtained by contacting the State Regents’ office. The applicant must qualify prior to college entry.

Eligibility

Residents of Oklahoma automatically qualify by scoring within the 99.5 to 100.0 percentile levels on the ACT or SAT as administered in the state of Oklahoma. For students entering the program fall 2015, the minimum ACT sum of scores required is 133. The sum of scores required is subject to change each year. Students will need to contact the State Regents’ office to verify the sum of scores required to qualify for the program. The test scores must be from a single national test date. Partial scores from more than one examination will not be considered.

Residents also automatically qualify by achieving one of the following designations: National Merit Scholar, National Merit Finalist or United States Presidential Scholar. Nonresidents may qualify for the program by achieving designation as a National Merit Scholar, National Merit Finalist or United States Presidential Scholar. However, out-of-state student participation is limited, and achieving such a designation does not automatically qualify students for the program.

Institutional Nominee

State public colleges and universities may nominate students attending their institutions for the Academic Scholars Program based on criteria established by each individual institution. Nominees will be selected through the normal admission and/or scholarship application at the institution.

www.okhighered.org/academic-scholars

Regional University Baccalaureate Scholarship

This scholarship enables 11 participating public universities to provide up to four years of scholarship support to academically promising Oklahoma students enrolled in a baccalaureate program. Each participating institution may nominate up to 15 freshman awardees per year.

Regional Universities

Cameron University, East Central University, Langston University, Northeastern State University, Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma Panhandle State University, Rogers State University, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, the University of Central Oklahoma, and the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.

Application

Application is made directly through the university the student plans to attend. The application deadline will vary for each institution.

Eligibility

• Applicants must be Oklahoma residents.

• Applicants must meet one of the following criteria defined below:

a. have an ACT composite score of at least 30 and a grade point average and class rank which are exceptional, as determined by the institution OR

b. be a National Merit Semifinalist or a National Merit Commended Student as designated by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

(Only ACT and SAT test scores from tests administered on national test dates will be considered for admission to the program).

Future Teachers Scholarship

Program

The Future Teachers Scholarship Program was established by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education as an incentive to encourage the preparation of teachers in critical shortage areas in the public schools of Oklahoma.

Critical Teacher Shortage Areas

• Science

• English

• Music

• Early Childhood Education

• Foreign Language (Spanish)

Application

• A new application must be submitted each academic year.

• Application deadlines are established by individual institutions.

Completed applications are to be submitted to the nominating institution. The following documentation is required:

a. First-time freshmen must submit a copy of their high school transcript and ACT or SAT score, whichever is applicable.

b. Students who have attended a postsecondary institution must submit official transcripts from all institutions attended.

c. All students must submit the essay portion of the application on a separate sheet.

• Institutions will submit scholarship candidates and alternates in priority order to the State Regents’ office.

• The State Regents’ office will notify institutions of awards.

For More Information

Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education

800.858.1840

225.9239 (Oklahoma City area)

studentinfo@osrhe.edu

George and Donna Nigh Public Service Scholarship

The George and Donna Nigh Public Service Scholarship was established by the 1999 Oklahoma Legislature to provide scholarship opportunities to outstanding students who are preparing for careers in public service. A component of the scholarship program is participation in seminars on public service offered by the Nigh Institute. Each college and university may nominate one scholarship recipient per year.

Application

Presidents of Oklahoma colleges and universities will be invited to submit a nominee for consideration of award prior to the beginning of the spring semester. An advisory committee appointed by the Nigh Institute will review and approve the nominations and make announcement of awards.

Eligibility

• Scholarship recipients must be residents of the state of Oklahoma as determined by the State Regents.

• Scholarship recipients must be enrolled full time in an undergraduate program at a public or private college or university in the state of Oklahoma.

• Scholarship recipients must be enrolled in a degree program leading to a career in public service as determined by the institution.

• Students receiving the scholarship must demonstrate exceptional academic achievement as evidenced by a number of factors, which may include grade point average, class rank, national awards, scholastic achievement, honors, teachers’ recommendations and the applicant’s involvement in extracurricular activities.

Scholars for Excellence in Child Care Program

The Scholars Program awards scholarships to eligible child care professionals to complete course work in the area of child development or early childhood education. These scholarships enable child care providers in Oklahoma to attend a technology center or community college to improve their skills through education.

Application

Eligible child care providers may apply for the:

• Career Technology Center Scholarship Early Education: Pathway to CDA for course work offered at area technology centers and online.

• Community College Scholarship for course work in the area of child development or early childhood education leading toward a CDA Credential, Certificate of Mastery, Director’s Certificate of Mastery*, Director’s Certificate of Completion, and/or an associate degree in child development or early childhood education offered at local community colleges.

Career Technology Center Scholarship applications may be obtained by calling 405.225.9396 or 866.343.3881. Community College Scholarship applications may be obtained through the Scholars Program scholar coordinator at each of the local community colleges in Oklahoma. Scholarship applications can also be obtained by calling 405.225.9395 or 866.343.3881 or visit the website at www.okhighered.org/scholars.

Tuition Waivers

College-Awarded Tuition Waiver Scholarships

State Regents’ policy authorizes each institution in the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education to provide for tuition waiver scholarships on the basis of financial need, scholastic aptitude and achievement, academic discipline or field of study, student activity participation and academic level. State system institutions are also required to waive resident tuition for individuals who meet specific criteria.

State-Authorized Tuition Waivers

In addition to tuition waiver scholarships awarded by Oklahoma public colleges and universities, resident tuition will be waived fully or partially for the following:

• Senior citizens who wish to audit courses (includes a waiver of special fees and activity fees)

• POWs, MIAs and their dependents

• Dependents of peace officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty

• Exchange students on a reciprocal basis

• Graduate assistants, either resident or nonresident, with at least a one-quarter time graduate assistantship

• Academic Scholars Program awardees

• Regional University Baccalaureate Scholarship awardees

• Army or Air National Guard members in good standing

• Independent Living Act – Department of Human Services dependents who meet specific criteria

• Benefits-eligible employees at institutions in the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education

For More Information www.OKcollegestart.org

National Guard Tuition Waiver

The Oklahoma National Guard Tuition Waiver is established as an incentive for qualified men and women to join the Oklahoma National Guard and as a means to retain skilled, productive citizens within the state.

Application

The student is required to submit a Statement of Understanding and Certificate of Basic Eligibility each semester for which he or she is applying for the waiver. The certification form is to be signed by a commander or representative of the Oklahoma National Guard.

This signature certifies that the student is in good standing with the National Guard and that the National Guard member agrees to abide by all program rules and procedures. The form is to be forwarded by the student to the institution he or she wishes to attend by the deadline determined by the institution.

Eligibility

A student who is a member of the Oklahoma National Guard shall be eligible for a full resident tuition waiver, provided the student:

• Is a bona fide member of the Oklahoma National Guard at the beginning of the semester for which he or she is applying for a scholarship or by the scholarship application deadline determined by the institution.

• Has been certified as a member in good standing by the adjutant general.

• Is an Oklahoma resident or a nonresident student who is an active member of the Oklahoma National Guard.

• Does not currently hold a baccalaureate or graduate degree.

• Meets all admission and retention requirements of the institution.

For More Information

Oklahoma National Guard

800.GO.GUARD

Independent Living Act (Foster Care Tuition Waiver)

The Independent Living Act was established by the 2000 Oklahoma Legislature to ensure that eligible individuals who have been or are in the foster care program of the Department of Human Services receive services that include housing, medical coverage and education. The first recipients of the tuition waivers were 1999-2000 high school graduates.

Eligibility

• Student must have graduated within the previous three years from a high school accredited by the State Board of Education, the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics or a high school bordering Oklahoma as approved by the State Board of Education OR the student must have completed the General Educational Development (GED) requirements.

• Tuition waivers are available to students up to 21 years of age who have been in DHS custody for at least nine months between the ages of 16 and 18.

• Student must be enrolled in a public college or university or certain programs at technology centers.

• Tuition waivers will be made available to eligible students up to 26 years of age or upon completion of a baccalaureate degree or program certificate, whichever comes first.

Teacher Shortage Employment Incentive Program (TSEIP)

TSEIP is a legislative program that reimburses eligible student loan expenses or pays a cash benefit to individuals who graduate from an Oklahoma accredited teacher education program, receive teaching certification in math or science and agree to teach in an Oklahoma public secondary school for at least five years. TSEIP is administered by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

Eligibility

• Individuals must declare an intention to teach in Oklahoma and graduate from an Oklahoma-accredited teacher education program.

• Individuals must complete the TSEIP Participation Agreement no later than the date of their graduation. The agreement form can be obtained from the TSEIP coordinator at each postsecondary institution.

• Individuals must maintain satisfactory progress in an academic program leading to an undergraduate or graduate degree in math or science education.

• Individuals must complete an approved program of professional teacher education that includes a student teaching requirement that leads to a certificate to teach math or science at the secondary level.

• Alternative or emergency certificates will not qualify. Individuals must be employed to teach either science or math in a secondary classroom at least 75 percent of the time within 16 months of graduating from an accredited university.

• Individuals must complete the first full year of eligible full time teaching service by 25 months from their graduation date from a four-year college or university.

Amount of Award

The annual award is based on a formula not to exceed three times the average annual cost of undergraduate resident tuition and fees at institutions that offer teacher education. The amount for the 200809 award was $13,602. Students who participate in TSEIP but do not have outstanding loan obligations will receive a cash payment after five years of teaching.