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Financial Aid Programs

The University of Oklahoma Financial Aid Services offers many federal, state and institutional financial aid programs. Financial aid is considered any resource that can help pay for college. Students must apply for financial aid using the FREE Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Aid is awarded first come first served while funds remain.

The most common types of financial aid programs fall into the following categories:


Scholarships
Many scholarships are available to students attending The University of Oklahoma. Visit www.scholarships.ou.edu for the most comprehensive listing of OU scholarships. Be sure to apply for scholarships by the listed deadlines.

Grants and Tuition Waivers
Grants are free money that does not have to be repaid. Normally grants are awarded to students with high financial need. Federal and state formulas detemine who can be awarded these grants. Tuition waivers may be offered to help meet a student's financial need. Tuition waivers "waive or offset" the amount of tuition owed, thus reducing the total balance owed for tuition.

Loans
Loans are funds that are borrowed and must be repaid. There are several different types of loans for students, including federal, institutional loans, and private loans. A Parent PLUS Loan may be available to the parent of a dependent student. The student may choose to accept, reduce, or decline a student loan on the OU-FAN (Financial Aid Notification). Federal loans require the student to complete Entrance Counseling and a Master Promissory Note (MPN) before the loan can be disbursed. Exit Counseling is also required when the student drops below half time or graduates. Type INSTITUTIONAL LOAN in the Ask the Sooners search for the application when available. ALWAYS borrow conservatively.

New for 2012-13
The federal government will no longer provide the interest subsidy for graduate/law Student Federal Direct Stafford Loans. This is a change in federal regulations.

Work
Another type of financial aid is to work while in school. A student may be awarded a work-study award as part of their financial aid. There are some great work-study jobs both on and off campus. Students can use their work-study earnings to help pay for their tuition, fees, housing, or other expenses. To apply for OU jobs visit jobs.ou.edu.

Click here for additional information about the work study program.

Type Financial Aid Programs in Ask the Sooners for a comprehensive listing of the financial aid programs offered at The University of Oklahoma.