Would you like to receive free money to help you pay for college in the state of Oklahoma? Then get in here to read more about college grants in Oklahoma.
Ah, the college experience. A time of new friends, new knowledge, and of course, new debt. Student loans are a necessary evil for many students, but there are other ways to pay for school. Did you know that there are college grants available in Oklahoma? This guide will tell you everything you need to know about finding and applying for college grants in Oklahoma.
What are college grants?
A college grant is a financial award given to a student to help pay for college. Grants can come from the federal government, the state government, or private organizations. Unlike loans, grants do not have to be repaid. College grants can be used to pay for tuition, room and board, books, and other school-related expenses.
How do college grants work?
College grants are a form of financial aid that does not need to be repaid. Unlike student loans, which must be repaid with interest, grants are a gift from the government or from a private organization.
Grants are typically awarded to students who demonstrate financial need, although there are some grants that are open to all students. Grants can be used to pay for tuition, room and board, textbooks and other school-related expenses.
Who is eligible for college grants?
So who is eligible for college grants in Oklahoma? The good news is that just about anyone can apply, as long as they meet the eligibility requirements. An applicant must be a United States citizen or an eligible non-citizen, and must demonstrate financial need by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Grants are typically awarded to undergraduate students who are enrolled in degree or certificate programs. The amount of a grant may vary, depending on your financial need and the availability of funds.
How to find college grants
There are a few different ways to find college grants. You can start by checking with your school’s financial aid office. They’ll likely have a list of available grants, as well as information on how to apply. You can also search online for grant programs that are specific to your field of study or state.
The government offers a variety of grants through its Federal Student Aid website, and private organizations also offer grants for specific fields of study or demographics. It might take a little bit of research, but there are plenty of opportunities out there! So don’t give up—keep looking until you find the right grant for you.
1. Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant (OTAG)
Oklahoma residents who attend qualified colleges, universities, and career technology centers in Oklahoma can apply for the Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant Program (OTAG), which is a need-based grant program. Full-time and part-time undergraduate students are eligible for awards.
The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education (OSRHE) offers the OTAG to residents of Oklahoma who attend public or private colleges and universities in the state. To be considered, students must apply for federal student financial aid. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which can be obtained from the College Financial Aid Office or completed online at www.fafsa.gov. The OSRHE’s OTAG program evaluates possible receivers using data from the Federal Central Processing System. The following steps are involved in determining OTAG grant eligibility:
How to apply
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is accessible through high school counselors, the financial aid office at the college you plan to attend, or online at www.studentaid.gov , is used to apply for financial help. You should complete and submit the FAFSA to the federal student aid application system as soon as possible after Oct. 1 to ensure the greatest possible consideration. APPLYING EARLY IS ESSENTIAL. OTAG typically receives more qualifying applications than it can award with available funds, and the timing of a student’s application can determine whether or not that student receives an OTAG award. A specific application is offered for undocumented immigrant students. See the section below on “Undocumented Immigrant Eligibility.”
Eligibility Criteria
The Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which is calculated based on the information provided on the FAFSA, is used to establish financial need. The maximum EFC eligible for OTAG may change from year to year depending on the number of qualifying applications received and the amount of state funds available. Each year, state financing is usually finalized around the end of May. After the FAFSA has been processed, the EFC appears on the Student Aid Report given to students by the US Department of Education. If the school’s minimal entrance requirements are met and adequate academic progress is made according to the school’s policy for student financial aid recipients, an award will not be refused for academic reasons.
Amount of Award
For students attending public colleges, universities, or career technology centers, the maximum annual grant is now minus 75 percent of enrollment fees or $1,000, and $1,300 for students attending qualifying private schools or universities. Half of the grant is paid out in the fall semester and the other half in the spring semester. Campus authorities distribute funds to eligible students after their eligibility has been verified.
For Further Information
See FAQs About Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant (OTAG) or contact:
Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant Program
P.O. Box 108850
Oklahoma City, OK 73101-8850
Toll-free: 800.858.1840
In Oklahoma City: 405.225.9456
studentinfo@osrhe.edu
2. Oklahoma Tuition Equalization Grant (OTEG)
A need-based grant program that provides grants to Oklahoma residents who are full-time undergraduate students at certain approved Oklahoma non-profit, private/independent institutions of higher learning. To apply, students must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Eligibility for Student Awards
To be considered for an OTEG award, a student must:
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and list Oklahoma as their state of legal residence. To be considered for a grant, an FAFSA must be submitted each year.
- Be enrolled full-time in the fall and/or spring semesters at an OTEG-eligible institution.
- Have a family income of less than $50,000.
- Have unmet financial need in affording their campus’s cost of attendance, as determined by the financial assistance office.
- According to the State Regents’ Policy on Residence Status of Enrolled Students in the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education, you must be an Oklahoma resident.
- Satisfactory academic progress is required by the institution.
- Not previously receiving a grant for five consecutive years of study in a bachelor program beginning when the student first earned the award.
- They have not yet obtained their first bachelor’s degree.
Awards
- OTEG grants are worth $2,000 per academic year or $1,000 each academic semester.
- The institutions will select and notify students who will be awarded OTEG.
Schools Eligible to Offer OTEG Awards
- Bacone College
- Community Care College
- Family of Faith Christian University
- Mid-America Christian University
- Oklahoma Baptist University
- Oklahoma Christian University
- Oklahoma City University
- Oklahoma Wesleyan University
- Oral Roberts University
- Randall University (formerly Hillsdale Free Will Baptist College)
- Southern Nazarene University
- Southwestern Christian University
- The University of Tulsa
For Further Information
Oklahoma Tuition Equalization Grant Program
Toll-free: 800.858.1840
In Oklahoma City: 405.225.9456
3. The Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program (OHLAP)/Oklahoma’s Promise
Oklahoma’s Promise provides college tuition scholarships to eighth, ninth, tenth, and eleventh grade students from families earning $60,000 or less. In high school, students must also complete academic and conduct criteria.
Oklahoma’s Promise was established by the Oklahoma Legislature in 1992 to assist more Oklahoma families in sending their children to college. It was formerly known as the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education oversee the program.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for Oklahoma’s Promise, kids must be in the eighth, ninth, tenth, or eleventh grade (homeschool students must be age 13, 14, 15 or 16; see the following question). Applications are organized by academic year (i.e., 2021-22 school year). Students who graduated from seventh grade in May must wait until August to apply for the next school year.
Students in the 11th grade MUST apply by the June 30 application deadline at the conclusion of their junior year.
Application Deadline
Each year, the deadline to apply for Oklahoma’s Promise is clearly stated on the application, thus it is a good idea to check the application first. The deadline for submissions is June 30.
When June 30 falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the application deadline is the Monday following, which is July 1 or July 2. Please double-check the application you’re working on for the exact date.
All correspondence for an online application will be done via email. If you clicked “Submit,” you will instantly receive an email confirmation. After you click Submit, you should see the signature page, which you must print and return along with your income proof to the Oklahoma’s Promise office. After reviewing this paperwork, you will receive an email confirming your student’s enrollment in the program or seeking additional information. Because some email providers designate our automated emails as spam, you should add okpromise@osrhe.edu to your address book.
How to apply for college grants
The most important part of applying for college grants is to make sure you know what you’re eligible for. The best way to do this is to research the different grants available and find out which ones you qualify for. Once you’ve done that, start by gathering all of the required information. This will usually include your name, Social Security number, date of birth and contact information.
You’ll also need to provide information about your school, such as the enrollment dates and the number of credit hours you’re taking. Be sure to read all of the instructions carefully and follow them exactly. Incomplete or inaccurate applications will not be processed, so take your time and be thorough.
Flinally, you can submit your application online or by mail, depending on the grant provider.
Conclusion
College grants are a great way to help pay for college, and there are a number of them available in Oklahoma. Rememeber that these grants are different from loans in that they don’t need to be repaid, and they are awarded based on financial need.
There are also a number of ways to find and apply for college grants, and though the process can be tricky, this article will walk you through everything you need to know about college grants in Oklahoma.
So, get up and get to work.
And good luck as you start your application process!
