Oklahoma State University

Graduate students must be enrolled in at least four hours in the fall or spring semester and at least two hours in the summer to be considered for financial assistance for that semester. TEACH funding is available but limited for eligible students enrolled in fewer than four hours in the fall/ spring or two hours in the summer. Graduate students receiving tuition scholarships from their academic departments or the Graduate College should contact the awarding office for enrollment requirements. Federal and institutional aid recipients who are unsure of their eligibility for assistance based on their enrollment status should contact the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid for clarification. Recipients of non-OSU scholarships should check with the awarding agency to determine the minimum enrollment required for payment. Eligibility for financial assistance is related only to the total number of credit hours in which the student enrolls. Certifiable enrollment status, based upon a combination of enrollment and employment (such as a graduate assistant enrolled in six hours with a 50% graduate assistant appointment), only assists with the deferral of loan repayment, never qualification for aid. Students are encouraged to review the policies related to financial aid eligibility for repeat courses and minors in the Policies (https:// financialaid.okstate.edu/policies) section of the OSU Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid website. All courses must count toward degree requirements to be included for financial aid eligibility. Return to Title IV Funds Policy The OSU Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid, in accordance with federal regulations, calculates the return of Title IV Funds for any student who receives Title IV aid and subsequently withdraws before the end of the enrollment period/term. The full policy, including official and unofficial withdrawals, aid considered in the calculation, institutional charges, attendance and earned/unearned percentage, unearned aid by the institution, unearned aid by the student, post-withdrawal disbursement, and notification of the results of the calculation, can be found on the web at financialaid.okstate.edu (http://financialaid.okstate.edu). Academic Progress The OSU Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid is required by federal regulation to monitor the academic progress of all students who apply for financial assistance. The official record of the OSU Office of the Registrar is reviewed to determine student compliance with the policy. The policy for federal aid and state (OTAG) recipients includes three components. Students must: 1. not exceed a maximum number of hours allowed for completion of the degree program; 2. maintain a minimum cumulative Graduation/Retention Grade Point Average; and 3. maintain a satisfactory pace toward program completion, defined as successful completion of at least 67% of the total cumulative hours attempted. A copy of the policy detailing the requirements is included with every award notice and is also available in the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid and online at financialaid.okstate.edu (http:// financialaid.okstate.edu). Each undergraduate with a multiple-year scholarship is required to meet specific renewal criteria to continue receiving his or her scholarship the

following year; the policy for each scholarship is included with the award letter and is available from the OSU Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid. Recipients of athletic grant-in-aid must meet the eligibility requirements of the program. Professional Education Certification To receive financial assistance, students who are classified by the Graduate College as non-degree students and who are also pursuing Professional Education certification must be enrolled in a required program for elementary or secondary teacher certification or recertification in Oklahoma (must be required to teach); and be enrolled in at least six hours in the fall or spring semesters or three hours in the summer term. Professional Education students are eligible to apply for consideration in Federal Work-Study and Direct Loans (Subsidized and Unsubsidized). Due to the unique nature of the Professional Education program, students are encouraged to schedule an appointment with a financial aid counselor to discuss the required documentation needed for financial aid eligibility. Approved Graduate Certificates Students who are pursuing a graduate certificate approved for financial aid eligibility by the U.S. Department of Education are eligible for the same aid programs as graduate students pursuing master’s, doctorate, or professional degrees at OSU. Approved certificates (https:// financialaid.okstate.edu/students/grad) are listed on the web. Programs can be added or removed from this list as determined by the OSU Graduate College and the U.S. Department of Education. Prerequisite Course Work for Admission to a Graduate Program To be considered for federal assistance, students generally must be enrolled in a recognized academic program leading to a degree or certificate. However, if a student is enrolled at least half-time in course work that is required for admission to a graduate program at OSU, the student may be eligible for loan consideration for one calendar year (12 months) beginning on the first day of the loan period. Students are only eligible for Ford Federal Direct Loan consideration. Preparatory students who wish to be considered for assistance should schedule an appointment with a financial aid counselor to discuss their particular circumstances.