There are no separate state school loans for Oklahoma students.
The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education operated the Oklahoma Guaranteed Student Loan Program, which guaranteed federal student loans
through the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP).
However, this program has been canceled and the Direct loans program has replaced it.
Oklahoma mainly delivers their state financial aid though grants and scholarships (described below).
It is also a member state of the SREB Academic Common Market. This is a group of 16 southern states that allows students to pay in-state tuition rates at out-of-state colleges. As long as the degree program differs by 50% from any Oklahoma program, Oklahoma students can go to a college in one of those states and pay the in-state rate.
Students who are looking for private student loans to supplement the federal ones, can use the form at the top right. Credit unions should also be considered when looking for a private loan lender.
The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education programs for college financial aid are:
Oklahoma College Grants and Scholarships
Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education are responsible for administering the state's main grant program:
Oklahoma Promise
for 8th, 9th and 10th graders whose families make less than $50,000 per year and whose families will make less than $100,000 when they begin college (Careful planning can make this grant available to most students- but you have to know it exists! :))
must take 17 units of required high school courses and get at least a 2.5 in each and have an overall high school GPA of 2.5
to keep the award through college- 2.0 GPA for the first two years and 2.5 GPA after that
award amount is full tuition (or the equivalent amount if enrolled in a private school) at an Oklahoma public 2-year or 4 -year university
for Oklahoma students attending an eligible higher education institution in Oklahoma and who have an EFC (Expected Family Contribution) of 1700 or lower
award amount is lesser of 75 percent of enrollment costs or $1,000 for public colleges, universities or career technology centers- $1,300 for eligible private colleges or universities
and the:
Oklahoma Tuition Equalization Grant Program (OTEG)
for Oklahoma students enrolled in an eligible higher education institution in Oklahoma and whose family earns less than $50,000
award is $2,000 per academic year or $1,000 per academic semester
Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education scholarship programs are the:
Academic Scholars Program
for National Merit Scholars, National Merit Finalists or United States Presidential Scholars or scorers at or above the 99.5 percentile on the ACT or SAT
award is $1,800-$5,500 per year depending on which school you attend; also tuition waivers for Oklahoma residents attending Oklahoma public colleges or universities
and the:
Regional University Baccalaureate Scholarship
for Oklahoma students enrolled in any of 11 public universities in the state who are either National Merit Semifinalists or have an ACT composite score of at least 30
award is $3,000 + a tuition waiver
These are specialized Oklahoma grants or scholarships for college:
Future Teachers scholarship Program
for Oklahoma students enrolled in a professional education program at an accredited Oklahoma institution of higher education
award ranges from $500-$1,500 per year depending on the number of credits being taken; students must agree to teach in a shortage area in Oklahoma public schools for a minimum of three consecutive years after graduation
Chiropractic Education Assistance Scholarship
for students who have lived in Oklahoma at least 5 years and are enrolled in chiropractic school witha 3.0 GPA
maximum award is $6,000 per year
George and Donna Nigh Public Service Scholarship
for Oklahoma students enrolled in an Oklahoma degree program leading to a career in public service an demonstrating outstanding academic achievement
award is $1,000 per year
Heartland Scholarship Fund
for dependent children of victims of the April 19, 1995, bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building
award is $3,500 (public 2-year) -$5,500 per year (private 4-year)
Independent Living Act (Foster Care Tuition Waiver)
for Oklahoma students going to public universities and who have been in DHS custody for at least nine months between the ages of 16 and 18
award is a resident tuition waiver
National Guard Tuition Waiver
for Oklahoma students who are members of the Oklahoma National Guard
resident tuition waiver
Scholars for Excellence in Child Care Program
for Oklahoma child care workers
award is tuition waivers for coursework leading to a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential, Certificate of Mastery, Director’s Certificate of Completion, and/or an associate degree in child development or early childhood education
All of these college grants and scholarships require a
FAFSA
to be filed, so check your Oklahoma
FAFSA deadline.
The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education administers the Teacher Shortage Employment Incentive Program (TSEIP). This is the only Oklahoma college grant or scholarship program which has to be repaid if the student does not meet its requirements.
Some TSEIP features:
Students must sign a compliance agreement stating their intention to teach in Oklahoma schools for 5 years.
Students must complete an undergraduate or graduate degree program that qualifies them to teach math or science and they must complete the first year of their teaching service within 25 months of graduation.
Oklahoma will pay student loans for teachers in the program. All federal student loans except Parent PLUS loans are eligible.
If there are no student loan amounts owed, a cash payment will be made to the teacher.
The total amount of the award is equal to the cost of resident tuition and fees for 3 years at colleges or universities which offer teacher education programs within the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education.
Here's some more useful financial aid pages for you to see:
The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education manages a system of grants which combined with federal loans is probably sufficient for state colleges and universities. However, students who attend private colleges or schools outside of SREB will be forced to rely heavily on private student loans.
The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education manages a system of grants which combined with federal loans is probably sufficient for state colleges and universities. However, students who attend private colleges or schools outside of SREB will be forced to rely heavily on private student loans.
