:: External Links ::
- FAFSA on the Web (external link)
- Federal Student Aid Website (external link)
- Grants.gov (external link)
- Going2College.org (external link)
- Money Management (external link)
- OKMM Clearinghouse (external link)
- Mapping Your Future (external link)
- SmartStudent Guide (external link)
- Scholarship Search (external link)
- Scholarship Scam Information (external link)
- Oklahoma Student Center (external link)
:: Applying for Aid ::
Quick Content Links- How do I apply for financial aid?
- How do I get a student loan?
- What's the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)?
- How do I complete the FAFSA?
- What's a Personal Identification Number (PIN)?
- How do I get a PIN?
- Do I have to provide my parent's information on the FAFSA?
- What's a Student Aid Report (SAR)?
- What are financial aid packages?
- Who's involved in the student loan process?
- How do I search for scholarships?
- What happens if I transfer to a different school?
How do I apply for financial aid?
To apply for federal financial aid and the Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant Program, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after Jan. 1 each year. High school students should apply as soon as possible after Jan. 1 of their senior year.
How do I get a student loan?
Federal Stafford Loans
To get a Federal Stafford loan, you must attend an eligible school at least half-time and be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen. To apply for a federal student loan, or to find out if you're eligible for federal grants and work-study, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year.
After you complete and return the FAFSA to the U.S. Department of Education, you'll get a Student Aid Report (SAR). You must review the SAR to ensure that all of your information is correct. The information from the SAR will then be sent to the school(s) listed on your FAFSA. After all application materials are complete, the financial aid office will notify you of your eligibility for federal student aid, including student loans.
Using the information from your SAR, each financial aid office determines how much you're eligible to borrow. The amount depends on the school’s cost of attendance and any other financial aid you may receive.
Federal PLUS Loans
To apply for a Federal PLUS loan, graduate and professional students and parents of undergraduate students should contact the financial aid office at the school, college or university the student plans to attend.
Parent applicants don't have to show financial need to qualify and aren't required to complete the FAFSA. However, all graduate and professional student applicants must first complete the FAFSA. Applicants with an unfavorable credit history aren't usually eligible for a Federal PLUS loan.
What do I need to do once my loan eligibility is determined?
If you're eligible for a federal loan, you'll receive a Master Promissory Note (MPN), which is a legal agreement of repayment that can be provided in either an electronic or paper format. You may be eligible to receive multiple loans under one MPN for a maximum 10-year period. After your loan is approved, the loan funds are sent to your school. You can learn more about federal student loans by visiting our 'Federal Loans' page.
What's the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step in the financial aid process. College and technical school students use it to apply for federal financial aid like grants, work-study and loans. In addition, many state financial aid programs such as the Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant Program (OTAG) use information from the FAFSA to award non-federal aid.
You must complete the FAFSA as soon as possible after Jan. 1 of each year. High school students need to apply as soon as possible after Jan. 1 of their senior year.
How do I complete the FAFSA?
To fill out the FAFSA, you can:
- Complete an online FAFSA (external link). Use of the online version is encouraged, because it's the fastest and most accurate way to apply for federal aid. Step-by-step instructions are provided and online users can submit questions to service representatives throughout the process. You can access the online version at either FAFSA.gov (external link) or StudentAid.ed.gov (external link).
- Complete a paper copy. You can get a paper copy of the FAFSA directly from any student financial aid office or the Federal Student Aid Information Center (800.4.FED.AID).
The first "F" in FAFSA stands for "Free" so be wary of organizations that ask you to pay to fill out the FAFSA. For answers to some common questions, take a look at our FAFSA FAQs.
What's a Personal Identification Number (PIN)?
A Personal Identification Number (PIN) is an electronic access code that serves as your application identifier. With the PIN, you can:
- Complete the FAFSA online to apply for federal student aid.
- Electronically sign your FAFSA application.
- Make online corrections to your FAFSA.
- Access your individual Student Aid Report (SAR) online and make corrections.
- Access all online federal student aid records on the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) website at nslds.ed.gov (external link).
How do I get a PIN?
- Go to PIN.ed.gov (external link).
- Request a PIN before completing the FAFSA online.
- Parents of dependent students should also request a PIN.
- Safeguard your PIN and remember it! Don’t give it to anyone.
Do I have to provide my parent's information on the FAFSA?
If you're a dependent student, you must provide your parent's information on your FAFSA. You can download our FAFSA Dependency Status Questionnaire to find out if you're considered a dependent or independent student for the purpose of awarding federal financial aid.
What's a Student Aid Report (SAR)?
After the FAFSA has been completed and sent to the U.S. Department of Education, you'll receive a Student Aid Report (SAR). You're encouraged to review the SAR to ensure all of the information submitted is correct. The SAR is also electronically sent to the school(s) listed on your FAFSA.
What are financial aid packages?
Financial aid awards are commonly called packages. Packages can be any combination of scholarships, grants, work-study and loans that help you meet college costs. You'll get award notifications from each school listed on your FAFSA. Each school's financial aid office can tell you whether additional documents are needed to complete your financial aid application.
Compare all of your offers before making a decision about which college might be the best fit both academically and financially. Make sure the award offers are accepted in a timely manner.
Who's involved in the student loan process?
Below are the organizations and government agencies involved in the student loan process.
- The U.S. Department of Education is the government agency that regulates education, oversees federal student aid programs and administers federal student loans.
- The Servicer is an organization employed to perform the administrative tasks, such as assisting borrowers or processing education loan payments.
How do I search for scholarships?
- Contact the admissions or financial aid office at the school(s) you want to attend. Many schools offer scholarships to recognize academic achievement or special talents, like athletics or performing arts. Much of this information is available on each school's website.
- Check for scholarships sponsored by local organizations such as churches, parent's place of employment and civic and community clubs.
- Search the Internet for helpful financial aid information. For information about college, careers and financial aid choices, check out Mapping Your Future (external link). In addition, the FastWeb (external link) site offers a reputable, free scholarship search database. Avoid online scholarship searches or agencies that charge fees for their services.
What happens if I transfer to a different school?
Many financial aid awards can follow you if transfer to another eligible institution. A transfer student should add the new institution to his or her FAFSA data and contact the institution's financial aid office for more specific information and guidance.
Questions about transferring financial aid awards can also be directed to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Student Information Hotline at 800.858.1840 (toll-free) or StudentInfo@osrhe.edu.
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