University of Oklahoma Financial Aid Services

Parent Information

Below is a brief introduction on navigating our website and is provided for first time parent visitors. Information is also provided about Ask the Sooners to help you navigate our extensive question and answer knowledge base. We have more answers about financial aid in our knowledge base than nearly any other school in America!

We have also included some additional information to help you understand concerns that many parents have about paying for college and some guidance to help you along the way.

Using the Financial Aid Services Website ...More
Parents new to the subject of financial aid should first visit the Important Links listed on the left side of this page. These links will provide basic information on appling for college funding. This includes information about scholarships, financial aid and other resources. In addition, you will find step-by-step instructions on how to apply for financial aid. These steps should help make the process of applying for financial aid easer!

Student and Parent Responsibilities ...More
At The University of Oklahoma the student is primarily responsible for researching and pursuing as many financial aid opportunities as possible. Parental guidance is often needed for new college students.

Please use our website to find information and to access the financial aid resources that can help pay for college. Undergraduate students applying for financial aid usually require parental assistance and financial information when completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA application includes specific questions to determine a students’ dependency status and whether parent financial information is required. When parent information is required on the FAFSA and is not included the application “rejects.” The student may not be eligible for federal student aid (and most other types of aid requiring the FAFSA) unless this is corrected. Review the FAFSA instructions carefully when completing the application to determine whether parental information is required.

At OU, in most cases, freshman parents are extensively involved with the students’ financial aid application process. This is a great time to involve your student in the process by giving them a head start on college and personal financial planning, developing lifelong financial skills they’ll need.

As the student progresses through college, our students take on a greater responsibility for their financial aid and personal finances. Most importantly, be sure to guide your son or daughter through the financial aid application (FAFSA) process annually. You may even want to mark your calendar now, to apply for financial aid using the FAFSA each year between January 1 and March 1 for the following fall/spring terms of enrollment. Be sure to clearly communicate your expectations for completing the FAFSA on time.

Students who have been involved in the financial aid process and the decisions impacting their education often feel a greater commitment to their studies. Discussing personal money management with your son or daughter is also a wise choice. For more information on personal finance for students visit OU’s new Cash Course personal money management website! This site includes setting up a budget, debit and credit card information, protecting your credit, identity theft and ways to reduce spending and save while in college! Be sure to check this out!

Ask the Sooners ...More
What if you have a ton of financial aid questions? OU Financial Aid Services has guided families through the financial aid process for many, many years.

Ask the Sooners is an extensive knowledge base of our most frequently asked questions about financial aid, billing and payment, enrollment and other related issues. These questions and answers range from very simple to very specific. Topics include everything from applying for financial aid to specific details on types of aid programs. Many answers were developed from actual student and parent questions. OU students use Ask the Sooners often to find financial aid answers quickly.

Ask the Sooners is easy to use. You may need just a bit of encouragement at first, because you may not yet be familiar with financial aid or college terminology. To use Ask the Sooners from this page, click on the arrow next to the Ask the Sooners search box to view the entire knowledge base. Another option is to type a key word in the search, especially if you know what kind of information you want. For example, if you want additional information about a Parent PLUS Loan, you may type the word PLUS in the Ask the Sooners search, then enter. All the questions and answers currently available will be listed. Try checking out a few questions and answers for yourself! Every effort is made to keep the financial aid information as current as possible. The Ask the Sooners knowledge base is available 24/7 and can often save you a call or visit to Financial Aid Services!

Contacting Financial Aid Services ...More

Financial Aid advisors are available Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. excluding university holidays. Advising staff are limited between 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. daily.

Parents may call, visit or email our office. The best time to call is Tues.-Friday before 11:00 a.m. The busiest time on phones is from 11:20 a.m. -2:15 p.m. Appointments may be available for more complicated situations by scheduling in advance. Incoming freshman parents visiting OU during the enrollment cycle may visit with advisors on a first come first serve basis in our main advising area. Our office space is very limited and we take your privacy seriously. Please check the signs posted at our entrance for instructions before proceeding to an advisor.

Please note that once the student is admitted you must have the students’ OU Sooner ID number in order to make a status check. Financial Aid Services uses the Sooner ID number to identify the students’ financial aid application in our system. Please have this number handy when contacting our office. Expect to be asked other identifiable questions when contacting us by phone and have a photo ID card for yourself when visiting our office.

Cell phone use within our office is strongly discouraged as it interferes with our advisor’s telephone headsets and is disruptive to other visitors. If you need to use your cell phone, please make your call outside our office area. Thank you for your cooperation.

Parent PLUS Loan Information ...More

Parents may be interested in borrowing a loan to help meet the costs of attending college. Parents of dependent students may apply for a Federal Parent PLUS Loan. This loan may be used for tuition, fees, books, housing & food and the students’ personal expenses, such as laundry and miscellaneous expenses.

The PLUS Loan is not based on “financial need” so parents of any income level may apply. The PLUS Loan requires a credit check and repayment begins shortly after the loan is disbursed. The student must be making Satisfactory Academic Progress with Financial Aid Services. The Free Application for Financial Aid (FAFSA) is needed for OU to process the PLUS Loan.

Please visit the link below for more specific PLUS Loan information (including interest rates, etc.) and to begin the PLUS Application process online if you chose to apply. We strongly encourage you to fully review the PLUS information on the selected lenders’ website for complete details.

When to apply for a Parent PLUS Loan…

Parents may apply for the 2009-2010 Parent PLUS Loan by using the link below. The best time to apply for a Parent PLUS Loan is normally from March to June 1st for the following school year. Please read all of the information included in the following pages. The PLUS loan is a loan the parent borrows to help pay your students’ educational expenses. PLUS loans may be used to help pay for the students’ tuition, fees, books, housing and meals, even if the student lives off campus.

priority

Semesters	Complete FAFSA by:	Complete PLUS between:
Fall 2009-Spring 2010	March 1, 2009	March 1, 2009* - June 1, 2009
Fall 2009 only	March 1, 2009	March 1, 2009* - June 1, 2009
Spring 2010 only	November 1, 2009	Nov. 1, 2009 – Dec. 11, 2009

Click here for more PLUS information and to apply.