Federal, State and Institutional Assistance Programs
Multiple financial assistance programs are available at USAO. This section provides basic information regarding these programs. More information is available on the USAO website and from the Financial Aid Office. Additional information on federal programs is available at studentaid.gov and State program information is available at okhighered.org. All Federal and State aid programs require Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). See the SAP policy section of the Financial Aid Policies section of the catalog for more information. Students receiving federal and most other types of financial aid at USAO must be accepted for admission as degree-seeking.
Federal Pell Grant
Federal Pell Grants are available to many undergraduate students who display exceptional financial need and who have not already earned a bachelor’s, graduate, or professional degree. A Federal Pell Grant does not have to be repaid, except under certain circumstances such as when a student completely withdraws before the 60% point of the term. (See the Return of Title IV Policy of the Financial Aid Policies section of this catalog.) Federal Pell Grant cannot be issued at more than one school at a time. Students must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) corresponding to the correct term of enrollment to apply. A new FAFSA is required every academic year to continue federal aid opportunities. The Financial Aid Office uses the results of the FAFSA to determine eligibility. Amounts can change yearly and will depend on the Student Aid Index (SAI) from the FAFSA, the cost of attendance (COA) as determined by enrollment status and yearly direct and indirect costs, and attendance for a full academic year or less. If eligible, a student may also receive up to 150% of the scheduled Pell Grant for an award year, making it available to many USAO students in the fall, spring, and summer terms.
The Federal Pell Grant is available for no more than the equivalent of 12 full-time terms, or 600%. This is referred to as lifetime eligibility used, or LEU. US citizenship is required for the Federal Pell Grant, and all other federal aid programs.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG or SEOG)
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant program provides additional need-based grants to Pell Grant eligible undergraduate students to promote access to post-secondary education. Students must enroll in at least half-time status in eligible credit hours for consideration. The Financial Aid Office has substantial flexibility in determining the amount of FSEOG to grant students who are enrolled or accepted for enrollment. Priority is given to those students with exceptional need (those with the lowest SAI scores) and those who apply early. USAO is allotted a limited amount of FSEOG each year and cannot award funds above this allotment. Due to the funding limitations, not all Pell eligible students can receive FSEOG. The amount of FSEOG received can be affected by other gift/grant aid in the overall financial aid package. Renew the FAFSA each academic year as early as possible to maximize opportunity for FSEOG.
Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant (OTAG)
OTAG (Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant) is a limited fund from the State of Oklahoma and is made available to students with the highest unmet need. OTAG recipients must also be residents of Oklahoma and eligible for the federal Pell Grant. Due to funding limitations, not all Pell eligible students can receive OTAG. Early application is encouraged. The amount of OTAG offered can be affected by other gift/grant aid in the overall aid package. Section 407 of the Higher Education Opportunity Act requires that states notify students that grants such as OTAG are a part of LEAP (Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership) and are funded by the federal government and the state.
Oklahoma’s Promise (OKP)
Oklahoma’s Promise is a unique program for students in the State of Oklahoma. Students must enroll in the State program while in grades 8 through 11. Homeschool students must enroll at ages 13 through 16. Family income requirements at the time of enrollment are set by the State of Oklahoma and eligibility is determined by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education (OSRHE) and the Oklahoma’s Promise program. Some students may qualify due to special income provisions set by OKP and State policies. High school completion requirements and yearly income checks must be met prior to receiving program benefits in college. A yearly FAFSA is required to determine each academic year’s income eligibility. More information on Oklahoma’s Promise is available at okhighered.org/okpromise/. Oklahoma’s Promise is generally the value of tuition each term; but does not pay for remedial coursework or the full amount of “locked tuition”. It also cannot exceed the student’s cost of attendance, so final amounts may be impacted by other gift/grant aid in the overall financial aid package.
William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program
The William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program is available to eligible students enrolled in at least half-time status. Federal Direct Loans are assistance that must be repaid. The types of Federal Direct Loans available to undergraduate students are: Direct Subsidized, Direct Unsubsidized, and Direct PLUS. Direct Subsidized Loans are need-based loans. The government pays the interest on Direct Subsidized loans until the student begins their scheduled repayment. The Direct Unsubsidized Loan is a non-need-based loan. The student is responsible for all interest that accrues on a Direct Unsubsidized Loan. The type of loan a student qualifies for is determined by the Financial Aid Office using the results of the student’s FAFSA, cost of attendance, and overall aid package. Some students are eligible for both subsidized and unsubsidized student loans, some unsubsidized student loans only. Federal Direct PLUS Loans are loans available to parents of eligible dependent undergraduate students to assist covering expenses not covered by other financial aid resources. Federal Direct PLUS loans require credit approval. Additional information on Federal Direct Loans is available at studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans, at usao.edu/financial-aid/financial-aid-options/student-loans, or from the Financial Aid Office.
It is important to have a plan for student loan repayment after graduation, dropping below half-time enrollment status, or at the end of a grace period. Students who are delinquent on student loan payments for 90 days or more, are reported as delinquent to the three major credit bureaus by the loan servicer. Students with unresolved delinquencies go into default.
Federal Loan information at USAO is submitted to the National Student Data System (NSLDS) and is accessible by guaranty agencies, lenders, and schools determined to be authorized users of the data system.
Defaulting on federal student loans causes the entire unpaid balance of the loan(s), and any interest owed, to become immediately due. This has a negative impact on credit scores, removes eligibility for future Title IV funds, tax refunds or federal benefits payments may be withheld, legal and court action from loan servicers is possible, as well as loss of eligibility for deferment or forbearance, etc.
Available repayment plans are available on the Student Loan Repayment Plans page, studentaid.gov/manage-loans/repayment/plans. The Federal Student Aid Loan Simulator page is also available to view repayment calculations and options: studentaid.gov/loan-simulator/.
Both pages can assist in planning for future student loan repayments.
Federal Work-Study Program
Federal Work-Study provides part-time jobs for eligible undergraduate students with unmet financial need in their overall financial aid package. Priority for work-study jobs is given to full time students. Job availability is limited, and applications are accepted. Students are encouraged to check with the Financial Aid Office regarding eligibility and possible job referrals. The base rate of pay for most work-study students at USAO is $8.00/hour. Students cannot begin Federal Work-Study until employment paperwork is complete and approved. Students and supervisors are required to report and submit the time worked for each pay period the student is eligible, on the appropriate time sheet due date. Pay is issued bi-weekly directly to the student. More information regarding federal work-study is available in the Student Employee Handbook.
Other State Funded Aid Programs
USAO also participates in State programs such as, but not limited to, Inspired to Teach, George and Donna Nigh Public Service Scholarship, Oklahoma National Guard, Independent Living Act (Foster Care Tuition Waiver), and Heroes Promise programs. More information on these and other State aid programs is available at okcollegestart.org/.
Institutional Scholarships
Institutional scholarships are competitive and may have deadlines or priority dates. Late applications are subject to availability of funds. New student scholarships are considered through the admissions process. Students receiving institutional scholarships must be accepted for admission and be degree-seeking at USAO. Generally, institutional scholarships at USAO require full-time enrollment status, with few exceptions made on a case-by-case basis. Some institutional scholarships require additional materials to apply. Some also require a signed scholarship agreement form that must be returned to the USAO Financial Aid Office. The agreement form details maintenance requirements and rules for specific scholarship programs. Room/housing portions of scholarships are subject to on campus room availability and are not guaranteed. Students not living in on campus housing will not be eligible for the room/housing portion of scholarship offers. Scholarship availability, requirements, and amounts may vary from year to year. Examples of incoming new student scholarships include: Te Ata Scholarship, Academic Distinction Scholarship, University Scholarship, Green & Gold Scholarship, Associate Scholarship, Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship, Out-of-State Scholarships, and International Student Scholarships. Additional and specific information regarding institutional scholarships is available at usao.edu/financial-aid/financial-aid-options/scholarships. Other scholarship opportunities for continuing students at USAO are made possible by the USAO Foundation and Alumni Association (see USAO Foundation and Alumni Scholarships). Notices regarding these opportunities are sent to student email accounts.
Fast-Track Scholarship
The Fast-Track Scholarship is a unique summer scholarship available only at USAO. The Fast-Track Scholarship is intended to assist students attend summer terms, allowing the achievement of a four-year degree in three years. This scholarship is available to Oklahoma residents (U.S. citizenship is required) who are graduates of Oklahoma high schools (or receive an Oklahoma issued GED) and enter USAO as a beginning first-year student. Students who attend other colleges or universities after high school and transfer to USAO are not eligible. A minimum of 12 credit hours must be successfully completed in both fall and spring of the same academic year prior to the first summer of eligibility, and students must enroll in at least 12 credit hours during the summer term to qualify. This scholarship will pay summer tuition for up to 14 credit hours. It is available for a total of three consecutive summers if the student continues completion of 12 credit hours each consecutive fall, spring, and summer terms. If 12 credit hours are not successfully completed in any term, or the student does not enroll in a term, the student is removed from future eligibility for the Fast-Track Scholarship. Requests for exceptions regarding removal of scholarship eligibility resulting from non-completion of classes due to emergency and/or medical circumstances may be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. (See Scholarship Eligibility Exception Requests.) There is no application for the Fast-Track Scholarship. The Fast-Track Scholarship is included in the summer financial aid packages for eligible students after confirmed enrollment in a minimum of 12 credit hours for summer classes.
Oklahoma Academic Scholars, Regents Academic Scholars, and Regional University Baccalaureate Scholarships
These prestigious and highly competitive scholarship programs are available to incoming new freshmen at USAO who meet academic qualifications as well as State residency and U.S. citizenship requirements.
The Oklahoma Academic Scholars program is available to automatic qualifiers who complete the State application at okcollegestart.org/Financial_Aid_Planning/Scholarships/Academic_Scholarships/Academic_Scholars_Program. Automatic qualifiers must be designated as a National Merit Scholar, National Merit Finalist or United States Presidential Scholar, or by scoring at or above the 99.5 percentile on the ACT or SAT. USAO may also submit institutional nominees to the Academic Scholars program, called Regents Academic Scholars. The number of institutional nominees allowed by the Oklahoma State Regents of Higher Education (OSRHE) each year is extremely limited and can vary from year to year. Institutional nominees must have a 30 ACT composite score on a national test; or a 3.80 unweighted high school GPA and be in the top 4% of their graduation class; or a 3.80 unweighted high school GPA and a 28 ACT composite.
The OSRHE also allows USAO to nominate a limited number of Regional University Baccalaureate Scholarships each year. The number of nominees can vary from year to year. Nominees must have a 30 ACT composite score on a national test or be a National Merit Semifinalist or Commended Student. USAO also expects these nominees to have an exceptional unweighted high school GPA.
At USAO, all three of these scholarship programs require students to sign and return a scholarship agreement form to the USAO Financial Aid Office. The agreement form details maintenance requirements and rules for the programs, as well as total scholarship value and funding specifics.
Athletic Scholarships
Athletic scholarships are available and offered from the athletic department. Students interested in athletic programs at USAO contact the respective coaching staff regarding their interest to participate in the athletic program. The coaching staff of each sport reports athletic scholarship information to the Financial Aid Office.
USAO Foundation and Alumni Association Scholarships
Various named and endowed scholarships are available to new and continuing students with high achievements. Such funds, held as endowments in the USAO Foundation or Alumni Association, produce income for scholarships annually. USAO Foundation and Alumni Scholarships are established by alumni and friends to honor the college and provide financial assistance to USAO students.
Information regarding applying for Foundation Scholarships is sent to student email accounts yearly and the application process is subject to change. Some Foundation Scholarships have deadlines and special application requirements. Interested students may also visit with the USAO Financial Aid Office. More information can be found online at https://usao.edu/financial-aid/financial-aid-options/continuing-student-scholarships.html.
Students wishing to apply for Alumni Association Scholarships can find the application and more information at usao.edu/alumni/scholarships-and-volunteer-opportunities. Students must provide the necessary materials by the deadline stated on the Alumni Association Scholarship Application form. Late applications are subject to availability of funds.
USAO High School Concurrent Student Scholarship
High School Concurrent Student Scholarships provide eligible high school students with funding assistance to help pay for enrollment in college classes while still attending high school. High school seniors and juniors must meet the eligibility requirements and standards for enrollment according to the USAO Concurrent Admissions Policy. High school seniors may receive a tuition waiver for a maximum of 18 credit hours of concurrent college enrollment. High school juniors may receive a tuition waiver for a maximum of 9 credit hours of concurrent college enrollment. These may be divided over the three terms of the corresponding year in school: summer, fall, and spring. For example, a senior may receive a tuition waiver for 6 credit hours in the summer term prior to the beginning of the senior year, the fall term of the senior year, and the spring term of the senior year. High school students are not usually eligible for other aid resources and may be required to pay for some course related student fees and books/supplies. High school students should be aware that college transcripts are permanent records.
Private-Sector Scholarships and Grants
Private-sector scholarships and grants may be available to eligible students through outside sources such as their high school, community organizations, Native American tribes, places of employment, the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services, and other sources. USAO Financial Aid encourages students to seek and apply for private-sector grants and scholarships to supplement their funding. However, students should be aware of potential scams and fraudulent offers. USAO advises against applying for any resource that requires a fee or payment of any kind as part of the application process. Students should also never give out personal financial and sensitive information to unreliable and/or unconfirmed sources.
Students utilizing Veteran education benefits from the V.A. at USAO should contact the USAO V.A. Representative, located in the Office of the Registrar. Veteran benefits are not reflected in the aid offer at USAO. More information related to V.A. educational benefits is available at benefits.va.gov/gibill/.