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Financial Aid

Financial Aid Opportunities for Students

FAFSA – Your First Step Toward Financial Aid           

Applying for financial aid begins with the completion of the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and the SWOSU Student Data Form. The window for submitting your FAFSA is October 1st through February 28th prior to the fall semester. The earlier you submit the better! The FAFSA can be completed after March 1st if needed. However, early application ensures the best opportunity for assistance.

Financial Aid Glossary
7 Easy steps to the FAFSA
Apply for Financial Aid

 

Financial Aid Process at SWOSU

  1. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), according to the instructions. If you have any problems or questions, call us at 580.774.3786. We're happy to help. Completing the FAFSA on the Internet is the best choice. Simply go to fafsa.ed.gov and follow the instructions.
  2. You will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) with results of the government's calculations after sending your data in to the government. Please read the Student Aid Report to be sure that no corrections are necessary. If corrections are needed, contact our office.

If the Student Aid Report states that you have been "selected for a process called verification" or if notified by our office, your family is required to submit certain documents to SWOSU.  A notice of what documents are needed will be emailed to you after we receive your data from the federal processor. Read more for specifics…

  1. Student Financial Services will send you an e-mail indicating any other documentation needed to complete the student's file.
  2. When we have received all documents needed and your file is complete, we will review the data given for accuracy. Typically, quickly after the review an e-mail will be sent stating that you have been awarded. Completing applications incorrectly and/or omitting information on the application cause processing delays.
  3. You must be admitted to SWOSU in a degree-seeking program before aid eligibility may be determined.
  4. Grant and scholarship money is awarded first if you qualify. Then Federal Work Study and/or loans may be awarded depending on your financial aid preference and aid eligibility.
  5. Aid is typically made available a few days before classes begin for the Fall and Spring semesters. Federal regulations prohibit disbursing aid earlier.
  6. Use the aid you receive to cover any educationally related expenses. Some aid specifies what it can be used for, but most other assistance may be used for any educational expense after direct charges due to SWOSU are paid. Educational costs include tuition, fees, room, board, books, transportation (including automotive upkeep, but not purchase) and other personal expenses.
The FAFSA requires an institutional code. The SWOSU code is 003181. Using this code will ensure that your financial aid application information is sent to SWOSU.

SWOSU Student Classification Definitions

Each financial aid program has different academic requirements.

Undergraduate

Full-Time Student = 12 Hours
¾-Time Student = 9 Hours
Half-Time Student = 6 Hours

Graduate

Full-Time Student = 9 Hours
Half-Time Student = 5 Hours

Basic Financial Aid Timeline

Most of these dates apply only to on-time applicants (students whose complete and correct applications are received by March 1). Late application means delays in financial aid processing time and may affect the level of aid you receive.

SWOSU imports federal financial aid applications and notifies students of eligibility when their applications are complete.

Students who want to receive the Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant (OTAG) should complete the FAFSA before December 1st prior to the fall term when they expect to receive the funds.

Submit FAFSA to federal processor in time to be processed by March 1st. File electronically for faster processing and fewer errors by going to www.fafsa.gov. Check and/or update your admission status if you're an incoming student.

Incoming freshman should be admitted before March 1st if they want to be in the scholarship pool. SWOSU does not have a separate scholarship application for freshman. Transfer students who will be attending SWOSU for the first time in fall semester and who have completed at least 24 credit hours at another institution should complete the Transfer Scholarship Application. Also check on the SWOSU Foundation Scholarship Application.

Confirm the Office of Student Financial Services has received all paperwork needed for your aid application for the coming fall semester. You should also search on the Internet and at the library for outside scholarship options you may qualify for. Apply now for next fall. The federal processor should also have received your FAFSA. Students receive official notification of freshman scholarships.

Confirm aid award has been calculated, or that all paperwork has been completed properly.

Students who expect to borrow should complete a master promissory note at studentloans.gov.

Review and respond to your bill from SWOSU's Bursar's Office.

Confirm aid has been applied to your school bill by first day of class. Information about refunds can be found at the Office of the Bursar.

Federal Student Aid I.D. (FSA I.D.)

Your federal student aid I.D. is your identifier to let you access personal information in various U.S. Department of Education (USDE) systems, including applying for federal student aid.

Keep track of your FSA ID and password in a reliable place. You will use the ID anytime you need to make a correction, or each new year you complete a FAFSA application.

You can use your FSA I.D. to:

  • Gain access to FAFSA/ Renewal FAFSA on the Web;
  • Use the I.D. as an electronic signature to sign the FAFSA or obtain a copy of your FAFSA information
  • Make online corrections to your FAFSA
  • Review your online grant and loan history on the National Student Loan Data System.

Because your I.D. serves as your electronic signature, you should not give it to anyone.

Keep Your Address Up To Date With The Federal Processor

If your address changes during the year, contact the federal aid processor with your new address.

They use your address on file to:

  • Mail your Student Aid Report (SAR)
  • Mail your Renewal Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and/or the Electronic Access Code (EAC) you will need to use Renewal FAFSA on the WEB to reapply electronically
  • Mail other critical application correspondence

You can change your address by:

  • Using your SAR
  • Phone: 319.337.5665 (you will need the Data Release No. from your SAR)
  • Mail: Federal Processor, P. O. Box 4021, Iowa City, IA 52243

Remember These Important Steps

Important Steps to Keep Your Financial Aid on Track

  1. Complete the FAFSA as soon after January 1st as you can. Early application is key to receiving some types of aid.
  2. Review the Student Aid Report (SAR) you receive from the U.S. Department of Education. Follow the instructions to make corrections if necessary, and then keep the final SAR for your records. Do this even if you are not eligible for the Federal Pell Grant.
  3. Review the Financial Aid Award letter (and any revised award letters) for your own records. You should also keep a copy of all documents that you submit to the Office of Student Financial Services.
  4. Be certain that you understand the conditions of the awards you accept. Adhere to deadlines and Satisfactory Academic Progress standards.
  5. Advise the Office of Student Financial Services immediately if you receive an award or financial aid from any other source. A change in your resources may affect your financial aid.
  6. Respond immediately to all requests from the Office of Student Financial Services. Failure to comply may result in the cancellation of your aid.
  7. Be sure to notify the Office of the University Registrar if you move.
  8. Remember that you must reapply for financial aid each year. The Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant priority deadline for each year is December 1st. And we recommend that you complete your FAFSA by December 1st. Your FAFSA is your application for the Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant.