Federal and State Financial Aid
Financial aid is the total estimated cost of education for the academic year minus the expected contribution from assets and expected earnings of the student and the student's parents or legal guardians. Parental and student contributions are determined through an analysis of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. The FAFSA may be completed online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/, or paper forms may be picked up in a high school guidance counselor's office, a community college financial aid office, or in the OSU Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid.
Completion of the FAFSA will allow qualified students to be considered for the following need-based financial aid programs:
- College-Work Study Program
- Need-based Scholarships
- Guaranteed Student Loans
- Pell Grant
- Perkins Loan
- Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant Program
How and When to Apply for Federal Financial Aid
Priority consideration is given to those who complete the FAFSA form in early spring. Aid is granted on a first-come, first-served basis as funds remain available for the various programs, and FAFSA applications are made available to students for completion by January 1 of each year. It is recommended that students who need financial aid for the academic school year beginning in the fall apply as soon as possible after the applications are made available.
