The Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships at Ohio
University provides various types and sources of financial assistance to
help you meet the cost of your education. Ohio University participates in
all five of the federal Title IV need-based financial aid programs and
three state (Ohio) programs, in addition to making private funds available.
All types of financial aid fall within two categories: gift aid and
self-help. Aid programs may be awarded on the basis of merit, financial
need, or a combination of the two. Scholarships, considered merit awards,
are based on achievement. Grants and other types of aid are based on need
analysis of the student's and parents' ability to cover the cost of
education.
Need-based Awards. The following guidelines apply:
1 To be considered for any need-based financial assistance, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), available in your high school guidance office in January of your senior year. The FAFSA collects information about your family's size, income, and (in some cases) assets, and provides an estimate of what you and your family can contribute toward the cost of your education.
The FAFSA will ask for family income information from the prior calendar year as reported to the Internal Revenue Service. Therefore, your family should complete federal income tax forms as early as possible to meet the necessary deadlines. If you cannot or wish not to file taxes early, you should plan to provide income estimates and meet the FAFSA application deadline.
The FAFSA should be submitted directly to the Central Processor listed on the form (not to Ohio University). The Central Processor will analyze your FAFSA and send the results to Ohio University, a process which may take two to four weeks. Ohio University needs to receive your FAFSA by April 1, 1997, to ensure consideration for the Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Work Study, Ohio University grants, and/or Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant. It is therefore prudent to complete your FAFSA by March 1.
2 Before any award can be finalized, a copy of your family's completed federal income tax return may be required by the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships. To maintain your eligibility, respond promptly to any request for tax or other documents.
Scholarships for Freshmen. The following criteria are considered in determining scholarship awards: academic record, class rank, ACT/SAT scores, special talent, honors, and awards. Individual scholarship requirements may vary, so all students are encouraged to apply. To be considered for a scholarship, you must have an ACT composite of 28 or higher or an SAT combined score of 1,240 (recentered) or better and must rank in the top 20 percent of your high school graduating class. Students entering the College of Fine Arts are evaluated by auditions and portfolio reviews, with selection based on talent. It is the student's responsibility to contact the appropriate Fine Arts Scholarship Committee to schedule an audition or portfolio review.
If you choose to submit the optional scholarship profile, it must be received by the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships no later than February 1, 1997. Your application for admission to the university also must be received by the Office of Admissions by February 1. Scholarship applications received after this date will be considered on a second-priority basis.
Third Century Scholarships, valued at the cost of each year's in-state tuition and fees, are renewable for three additional years, provided you maintain a 3.3 accumulative grade-point average and complete at least 16 hours of coursework each quarter.
Presidents Scholarships, valued at $2,500 per year, have the same requirements for renewal as Third Century Scholarships.
Provosts Scholarships (formerly Manasseh Cutler Scholarships), valued at $1,000 - $2,000 per year, are not renewable. You must reapply each year to be considered for an upperclass scholarship.
John Newton Templeton Scholarships are valued at the cost of each year's in-state tuition and fees and are available for highly competitive multi-cultural students. They are renewable for three additional years if the recipient maintains an accumulative g.p.a. of 3.3 and completes at least 16 hours of coursework per quarter.
Scholarships for Upperclass and Transfer Students. Once enrolled, you can apply for the Deans Scholarship and other Upperclass Scholarships, provided you have earned an accumulative g.p.a. of 3.4 by the end of winter quarter in the application year and have earned at least 32 credit hours in the fall and winter quarters in the application year, and will have earned a total of 48 hours by the end of spring quarter. You must have completed a minimum of two quarters at Ohio University.
Transfer students should request an upperclass scholarship application from the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships. Continuing students must complete the electronic scholarship application available on the OAK student e-mail system.
Terms of Acceptance. Your acceptance of an award means that you agree to abide by certain university, state, and federal regulations governing scholarships. These include the following:
1 You must be enrolled and earn 16 credit hours per quarter during the academic year in which you receive the award.
2 Scholarship funds must be used to help cover the cost of tuition, the general fee, and educationally related expenses.
3 Your scholarship will be distributed over three quarters. If you do not attend the full academic year, you will receive only the funds for the quarter(s) you do attend. For example, if you attend only one quarter, you will receive only one-third of your scholarship.
4 Scholarships must be accepted and used for the year(s) they are awarded. They are not transferable, and once relinquished, cannot be reactivated. Most scholarships are awarded for one year only, and therefore require that you complete an upperclass scholarship application each year. If you are awarded a renewable scholarship, you will be notified each year of the renewal.
5 In the interest of helping as many students as possible, the university has established a maximum limit on the amount you may receive for campus-administered scholarships. However, individual National Merit Scholars and students who receive certain scholarship monies (American history and chemistry contest nontuition scholarships and outside agency scholarships) are excluded from this policy.
For more information about these regulations, contact the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships.
Grants. Grants are considered gift-aid and do not have to be repaid. Sources of grants include state, federal, private, and institutional funds, and the majority of grant aid is based on need.
Federal Pell Grant awards are based on analysis of the FAFSA, enrollment status (whether or not you're a full-time student), and the cost of attending Ohio University.
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant is awarded on the basis of exceptional need beyond the Federal Pell Grant. Preference is given to Pell Grant recipients.
The Ohio University Grant, made by the university, is awarded based on need.
The Ohio Instructional Grant is a state-funded grant for Ohio residents. You can apply by completing the FAFSA.
Loans. Educational loans have favorable terms and conditions, so you should not be afraid to borrow as an investment in your future. However, loans represent debts that must be repaid, and failure to repay will result in substantial penalties.
The Federal Perkins Loan (formerly the National Direct Student Loan) is a federally-funded loan. When you submit the FAFSA by the March 1 first-priority deadline, you are automatically considered.
The William D. Ford Federal Direct Student Loan is a low-interest, federal student loan. Applicants must first complete the FAFSA, and also must complete a promissory note before funds can be disbursed. Students with financial need are eligible for the "subsidized" Direct Loan, meaning the federal government will pay the interest on the loan while you are enrolled in college and during a six month grace period at the conclusion of your college education.
Students without financial need will be eligible for the "unsubsidized" Direct Loan, meaning that you will be responsible for paying the interest on the loan (the principle is deferred until six months after you stop attending school at least half time). You may pay the interest while enrolled in college or allow it to accrue.
A first-year student can borrow up to a maximum of $2,625 either in a subsidized or unsubsidized Direct Loan (or a combination of both). The loan maximum increases to $3,500 for sophomores and $5,500 for juniors and seniors.
The Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) is a loan for the parent or legal guardian of the student. Applicants should complete the FAFSA, but a Direct PLUS application and promissory note (available from the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships) must be completed before funds can be disbursed. A parent can apply to borrow up to the difference between the cost of education minus any other financial aid.
All PLUS applicants are subject to a credit check before the loan is approved or denied, and the loan will be paid in three equal disbursements over the academic year (one per quarter). Repayment of Federal Direct PLUS loans begins 60 days after the final installment of the loan is disbursed.
Employment. Part-time employment is another option to help students meet their educational expenses. The Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships offers several programs to assist you in finding part-time work.
Federal Work Study is part-time, on-campus employment for students who demonstrate need, based on analysis of the FAFSA. If you have submitted the FAFSA, you are automatically considered for Federal Work Study. Community service employment opportunities (both on and off campus) are available.
The Program to Aid Career Exploration provides jobs for upperclass students who wish to gain career-related experiences while earning money.
The Centralized Student Employment Service provides jobs for students who wish to work part-time while attending classes. Job listings are regularly posted, and you do not have to demonstrate need to take advantage of this service.
Job Location and Development allows students who have occupational skills to obtain jobs in the community.
Satisfactory Academic Progress. Federal guidelines require that students who receive federal financial aid make satisfactory progress in their course of study. You must complete 12 credit hours per quarter and have a 2.0 g.p.a. by the end of your second year of enrollment.
FAFSA:
April 1, 1997
Results need to be received at Ohio University by April 1, 1997. FAFSA should be completed and sent to Central Processor by March 1 to ensure first-priority status.
Q. How is financial need determined?
A. First, your FAFSA is analyzed to determine the expected total family
(parents and student) contribution. That number is then subtracted from
the cost of attending Ohio University. For example, if you and your family
can contribute $3,000 and the cost of attending Ohio University is $9,000,
your financial need will be $6,000. Please be aware that the amount of
financial aid you receive will not always match your financial need.
Q. What happens if my FAFSA is not received by the Office of Student
Financial Aid and Scholarships by March 15, 1997?
A. This means that although you may be eligible for certain federally- and
state-funded programs, consideration for campus-based money will depend on
the funds remaining after awards are made to students demonstrating need who
met the deadline. This deadline does not apply to Pell Grants or Federal
Direct Loans.
Q. What is the FAFSA Title IV code for Ohio University's Athens
campus?
A. Code #003100.
Q. Do I have to be admitted to Ohio University to receive financial
aid?
A. Yes, you must be admitted to the university to be considered for
campus-based aid and scholarships.
Q. What if my financial situation changes after I apply?
A. Get in touch with the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships
to request a review. You also can file special condition forms to have
your Ohio Instructional Grant (or other state grants) and Federal Pell
Grant applications re-evaluated.
Q. What alternatives do I have if I don't qualify for any need-based or
merit-based aid?
A. There are a number of outside agencies that offer scholarships and some
federal loan programs. You may apply for an "unsubsidized" Federal
Direct Loan.
Your parents may wish to consider the Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS).
Once on campus, you may want to seek employment through the Centralized Student Employment Service, which provides a listing of part-time jobs on- and off-campus.
As a sophomore, you may become eligible to apply for one of more than 360 jobs offered through PACE (Program to Aid Career Exploration).
If you have additional questions, please call the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships at 614-593-4141 and ask to speak with a financial aid counselor.