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Paying for OU

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Paying for OU

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Cost of Attendance

We understand attending college is a big investment. Not only does OU assist students financially through scholarship and financial aid, but OU offers students flat-rate tuition. Students can take up to 21 hours per semester without paying additional tuition, helping them stay on track to graduate in four years. 

Direct Costs include academic and living expenses. Indirect Costs represent personal expenses that are not charged by the university. Visit the Student Financial Center site for more cost info!

OU Cost Info    OU Housing Rates

 OU Online Students

FAFSA and Financial Aid

What is the FAFSA?

The FAFSA (or Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the government-provided application for need-based funds to help pay for college. OU highly recommends completing the FAFSA regardless of your family's income. Nearly 75% of OU students who apply for financial aid receive some type of assistance.

The FAFSA opens October 1 each year

Families can begin the FAFSA starting October 1 at studentaid.gov. It takes about one hour to complete and you'll need these 3 items:

  • Social security number (or permanent resident card)
  • Any W-2s you received in the past year
  • Prior prior year tax records (this is your tax records from 2019 for Fall 2021 incoming freshmen)

You'll need to add OU's Federal School Code when completing the application so that we receive the students information. Our FAFSA code is: 003184

Complete FAFSA         More Info

Types of Financial Aid

University Scholarships

Incoming Students

You only need to complete one application — your application for admission to OU — to qualify for OU scholarships. Contact your OU admissions counselor for questions regarding incoming freshmen and incoming transfer student scholarships. 

Admissions Scholarships    Alumni Scholarships   Graduate Funding

 

Current Students

Your main source for scholarships is the Centralized Academic Scholarship Hub (CASH) Application. Other sources include the Work Assistance Tuition Waiver, Study Abroad, and MoneyCoach Workshops. Aviation majors click Extended Campus!

CASH         SFC List       Extended Campus     Study Abroad

 

International Students

There are three ways for you to get additional aid: the OU CASH app, College of International Studies, and private loans. Other resources are community based. If you need help navigating what's available Ask Your MoneyCoach!

CASH         Economic Hardship

Outside Scholarships*

Outside Scholarships

All students are encouraged to apply for outside scholarship opportunities to help earn additional funds. *This list is updated periodically so be sure to check back often for more opportunities. Ask Your MoneyCoach if you have questions!

Admissions List         Military Benefit PDF

Undocumented Students         Student Financial Center List

Grants

Federal Grants

Federal Pell Grant 
A need-based award available to eligible undergraduate students who have not previously earned a bachelor's or professional degree. 

TEACH Grant
Award granted to eligible undergraduate and graduate students who intend to teach in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves students from low-income families. The TEACH Grant is not a need-based award.

Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
A need-based award available to eligible students who meet the March 1 FAFSA priority deadline.

State Grants

Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant (OTAG)
A need-based award available to eligible Oklahoma state residents who file their FAFSA prior to the March 1 deadline.

Tribal Grants

Tribal Grants
Grants awarded to eligible American Indian/Alaska Native students. Students are encouraged to contact their respective tribes for more information and to apply.

Student Job vs Federal Work Study

Student Job vs Federal Work Study

There's a difference! A regular student job does not require federal work study status.

Apply for a Student Job

 

Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a need-based program that allows eligible students to earn money by working part-time while in school. Students are offered FWS based on their unmet need as determined by their annual FAFSA. The maximum award is $5,000 per academic year ($2,500 per semester) and students who participate in the program receive bi-weekly paychecks.

Earnings are based on the hourly wage that is negotiated between the employer and the student. Wages are considered taxable income, but earnings are not used to determine your financial need when filing the annual FAFSA.

OU's Federal School Code - 003184

Eligibility

FWS funds are limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Apply early!

  • You must file a FAFSA. Be sure to include OU's Federal School Code - 003184
  • Students must accept their FWS offer before they can apply for a FWS position.* 
  • All student positions require current enrollment. 

*Not offered FWS? Please contact the Student Financial Center at (405) 325-9000 or email sfc@ou.edu your OU ID to see if you may qualify. 

Loans

Undergraduate PDF         Graduate PDF

Entrance Counseling        Master Promissory Note

Types of Loans

Federal Direct Loan

A need based fixed interest Federal loan available to undergraduate students. The student is responsible for repayment and the length of repayment is typically 10 years. Subsidized means the loan doesn't accrue interest during deferrment. Unsubsidized means interest will accrue.

OU Institutional Loan

Institutional loans are loan programs administered by OU. A co-signer is required and you must submit a copy of their individual tax document with application to determine if you qualify. 

Undergraduate PLUS Loan

A fixed interest Federal loan available to parents/legal guardians of dependent students. Eligibility is determined by credit check and the parent is responsible for repayment. PLUS loans cannot be transferred to the student's name.

Grad PLUS Loan

A fixed interest Federal loan available to graduate/professional students. This loan is credit based and can require a co-maker. Spouses are eligible but not recommended.

Private Loans

Before borrowing a private loan, OU encourages students to pursue all available types of financial aid including scholarships, federal grants/loans, and employment .

Private loans are credit-based loans offered by private banks and credit unions. Most student borrowers apply with a credit-worthy co-signer for approval. Interest rates, student eligibility, and repayment terms vary among lenders.  

Summer

Summer Aid Eligibility

Must meet these requirements by April 1 for priority processing and timely disbursement of funds.

* Oklahoma's Promise, Pell Grant and some private loans do not require half-time enrollment.
** The SAP appeal deadline for summer is June 16.  Some private loans do not require SAP.

Aid TypeAvailability for Summer
Pell Grant

You should be eligible if you meet the following requirements:

  • Received a Pell Grant during the current school year 
  • Were enrolled full-time fall and spring, you must be enrolled in at least 6 hours for summer
  • Were NOT enrolled full-time fall and spring, you may be eligible at less than half-time enrollment
  • Have maintained SAP
TEACH GrantIf you were enrolled full-time for fall and spring, you have received your annual limit.
Oklahoma's Promise

You should be eligible if you meet the following requirements:

  • Received funding during the current school year
  • Have NOT graduated
  • Have NOT met the five year program limit 
  • Have maintained SAP
Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized LoansYou will be offered any remaining eligibility if you did not meet your annual limit during the fall and spring terms.
PLUS LoanRequires a separate application.  
Grad PLUS LoanRequires a separate application.
Private LoanRequires a separate application.  
View our lender list on ELMSelect.
Federal Work StudyNo funds available.
Perkins LoanNo funds available.
SEOGNo funds available.

Scholarship Timeline

Pro Tip: Students with the most scholarships are typically PROACTIVE and INVOLVED. These students usually have one or more personal characteristics working in their favor. Don't rely on just your grades! Apply for scholarships like it's a job. Be selective and make sure the scholarship is relevant to you.

Important Dates

October 1st: The FAFSA opens here. Most scholarships will open too! Holiday break is prime time to start applying. Get started now!

February - March: Early deadline for many scholarships. Depending on the organization they may prefer early birds. You could miss out by waiting too late!

April - May: Some scholarships are starting to close. Get your apps in ASAP! 

June - July: Scholarship decisions are sent out. Many applications are closed now.  You can still look through search engines like Scholarship360 though!

August - September: Scholarships for the current year are closed. Time to get ready for next year! The new FAFSA will open in October. Stay prepared and mark your calendar!

Billing and Payment

Billing Cycle

The Bursar is the part of the Student Financial Center that handles student billing. The first fall eBill is available on Aug. 1 and the first spring eBill is available Jan. 2 at one.ou.edu. Monthly due date is the 25th. Students following the payment plan will be assessed a monthly service charge of 1.5% (18% APR) on the unpaid balance, beginning Sep. 26 for fall and Feb. 26 for spring. All accounts with prior balances are assessed the 1.5% monthly service charge.

Payment Plan

The Payment Plan requires no application or signup. Simply pay the minimum balance due by the date on your eBill and you're automatically in!

Pay this percentage of balance25%33%50%100%
Fall TermAug. 25Sep. 25Oct. 25 Nov. 25
Spring TermJan. 25Feb. 25March 25April 25
Summer Term  June 25July 25

Making a Payment

Pay your bill in full by the 25th of September/February to avoid service and end-of-semester late charges. Unpaid balances are subject to holds which will prohibit you from registering for classes and getting transcripts or diplomas.

The quickest way to make your payment is to pay electronically on the Web at one.ou.edu. Payments made online with an e-check from your checking or savings account or a credit card are easy and convenient and are posted to your account the same day. You can easily set up authorized users to make payments on your behalf.

For information on OU pay login, adding authorized user(s), viewing your statement summary and/or account history, changing your billing address and more, please go to one.ou.edu or call Student Financial Center at (405) 325-9000. 

Payment Guide PDF     Visit Bursar Site

Authorized Users

Flat-Rate Tuition

  • Part-time students (enrolled in 1-11 hours) will be charged tuition on a per credit hour basis. Any undergraduate student registered in 12 or more hours* will be charged a flat rate based on the current 15 credit hour rate for tuition and hourly mandatory fees. Students are encouraged to take 15 or more hours in order to receive maximum benefit from flat-rate tuition.
  • College program and technology, additional academic excellence, and course fees will be charged at a per credit hour rate. 
  • Flat-rate tuition does not apply to Graduate, Law, or Advanced Program students. In addition, students enrolled in only Liberal Studies courses are not subject to the flat rate. These students will be charged on a per credit hour basis for tuition and fees.
  • Summer courses will continue to be charged on a per credit hour basis.
  • Full-time undergraduate students who are registered for less than 30 hours for fall and spring (but pay the flat-rate) may be eligible to participate in the summer session incentive program (see Banked Hours section below).

*Oklahoma State Regents' policy requires permission to enroll in more than 19 hours per semester.

Banked Hours

Full-time undergraduate students who are charged the flat rate and take fewer than 15 hours per semester may be able to bank hours to use in the summer. The hours a student has banked will automatically be used to reduce summer charges for tuition and mandatory hourly fees. Banked hours cannot be converted into cash or held for a future academic year.

  • Students must be classified as undergraduates during the summer semester to be eligible to receive reduced charges for banked hours.
  • Academic Excellence Fees, College Program and Technology Fees, Mandatory Semester Fees, and Course Specific Fees are not charged at the flat rate, and will not be covered
    by banked hours.
  • Banked hours may not be used for developmental math (DMAT) courses.
  • Courses outside of the Norman campus summer term will not be covered.
  • Courses covered do include on-campus, online, and OU summer study abroad courses.
  • Enrolled hours exceeding the number of hours banked will not be covered.
  • No credit will be received for unused banked hours.
  • Courses dropped after the add/drop period (at 0% refund) will count towards your enrollment total when determining banked hour eligibility.
MoneyCoach
1000 Asp Ave
Room 105
Norman, OK 73019
(405) 325-4692
Updated 8/13/2024 by MoneyCoach: moneycoach@ou.edu