Financial Aid - Residential Students

Your education is an important investment made by both you and your family. Financial aid helps make your Ottawa education a reality.

Institutional financial aid is awarded in a fair and consistent manner, based on the University's awarding policy.

Ottawa University participates in a variety of financial aid programs, including generous scholarship programs, federal grants and loans to assist students in obtaining the necessary funds to attend college.

Generally speaking, there are four primary types of aid available.

Grants, including the Federal PELL Grant program.
Loans are available to students through both federal and private-lending programs.
Institutional scholarships.
Additional Sources of Aid such as veteran's benefits, employer reimbursement and non-OU scholarship programs.

Applying For Financial Aid

Completing the Ottawa University application for admission and submitting necessary official transcripts and standardized test scores are requirements to qualify for institutional financial aid. Upon admission to the University, students are automatically considered for OU scholarships.

Students should also complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine eligibility for federal and state funding. Submitting the FAFSA by March 15 will ensure consideration for all forms of financial aid at Ottawa University. You may contact the OU Department of Financial Aid for assistance in completing the FAFSA.

The OU Department of Financial Aid will send your financial aid award letter when all materials, including the FAFSA, are received. The award letter lists all financial aid you are eligible to receive, including scholarships, grants, work-study programs, and/or loans. The award letter is subject to change if your financial aid eligibility changes. Some financial aid awards require you to complete additional paperwork and submit it to the OU Office of Financial Aid.

Step 1: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

2011-2012 FAFSA
- For enrollment periods between 06/27/11 and 06/23/12.
- Use your 2010 Federal taxes.
2012-2013 FAFSA
- For enrollment periods between 06/25/12 and 06/29/13.
- Use your 2011 Federal taxes.
Use Federal School Code: 001937
Be sure to electronically sign the application with your Federal Student Aid PIN. Failure to do so will create delays in the processing of your financial aid.
- If you don’t already have a PIN, you can apply for one or request a duplicate PIN.

Step 2: Calculate your costs

Using the information from your Financial Aid Award Letter and this calculator, you can determine your out of pocket expenses and decide if you need to take a student loan.
Once you know the amount of your loan, you can use the Student Loan Repayment Calculator to get an idea of what your monthly payments will be.
An additional Net Price Calculator is available for students to better understand the full cost of attendance.

Step 3: Complete the Entrance Counseling and Master Promissory Note

All new students and students who are taking a Student Loan for the first time must complete the Entrance Counseling.

Important Note: This step is only to be completed by students obtaining their first student loan with Ottawa University.

You must sign in with your Federal Student Aid PIN, then select
“Complete Entrance Counseling”
- After you have completed the Entrance Interview, you will be directed to complete the Master Promissory Note
“Complete Master Promissory Note”.
Be sure to choose loan type “Subsidized/Unsubsidized”

Step 4: Optional - for students and parents who are interested in other types of loans

Parent PLUS Loan:

Information for parents who wish to borrow a Federal Direct Parent (PLUS) Loan.

Private/Alternative Loans:

Information for students who wish to borrow a non-federal Private/Alternative loan.