Southwestern Oklahoma State University Undergraduate Catalog 2026-2027
STUDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES
FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION RECOMMENDED COMPLETION DATES
Financial aid at the Southwestern Oklahoma State University includes scholarships, grants, loans, employment, and other types of assistance. The University awards more than $40 million each year in federal and state financial aid, including the Federal Pell Grant, Federal SEOG, Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant, Oklahoma Promise, Federal Work-Study, Federal Direct Loans, and Federal Direct PLUS Loans. Information about these programs is available from the Office of Student Financial Services. Students may apply for student employment opportunities through Handshake, which includes both Federal Work-Study positions and regular student employment. Financing a college education today can be challenging but does not have to be overwhelming. The university’s objective is to work with students and create a financial aid package that will help them attend Southwestern Oklahoma State University. Since educating a student is a family responsibility, the financial service resources in this catalog are not designed to replace family assistance, but to supplement it. In addition to such support, over 85 percent of Southwestern Oklahoma State University students receive some kind of financial assistance. Financial assistance consists of scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study opportunities. Scholarships are generally merit- based awards. They are awarded to a student on the basis of skill or accomplishment. Scholarships are generally not cash awards, but instead waivers applied toward tuition and room charges incurred at the university. Other financial service programs described are awarded to a student on the basis of financial need, taking into consideration the student aid index (SAI) and the cost of attending school. Grants, loans, and work-study programs fall into this category. HOW TO APPLY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Students should complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is available online at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa Once the federal processor has completed calculations, SWOSU will automatically receive the student’s data if we are listed as a school recipient. The Office of Student Financial Services will notify the student of his/her eligibility. It is important that the student respond in a timely manner to prevent any delay in completion of the financial aid process. Financial aid is not automatically renewed each year. Typically, a student is awarded financial aid for the fall/ spring semesters. A student needs to reapply after October 1 for financial aid consideration for the following fall/spring terms.
Many financial aid programs at Southwestern Oklahoma State University are administered on a first-come, first-served basis. For best consideration, students should strive to complete the appropriate paperwork by the following dates: Documents for Regents’ Baccalaureate or Academic Scholarships ................................... March 1 Foundation Scholarship Application ................... March 1 Free Application for Federal Student Aid - Fall/Spring.............................................. March 1 SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS Federal regulations require all students receiving financial aid to meet the University’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards in order to remain eligible for the following programs: Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Federal Work-Study, Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant (OTAG), Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, and Federal Direct PLUS Loans. State requirements also mandate that students meet federal SAP standards to remain eligible for Oklahoma Promise. For a copy of the University’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy, please contact the Office of Student Financial Services or visit our website at https://bulldog.swosu.edu/publications/policies/financial -aid/satisfactory-progress.php RETURN OF TITLE IV FUNDS Federal regulations require students who receive financial aid and withdraw from all courses before completing 60 percent of the semester to repay a portion of the aid they received.
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