Admissions Process

First Year Students

Admissions Requirements

All students are evaluated on an individual basis. Whether you are a first-year, non-high school graduate (e.g. GED), or home-schooled student, you will need to submit the following:

• An admissions application (you can apply online)
• A $25 application fee
• Items outlined below

First-Year Students

A first year student is defined as a student who has graduated from a regionally accredited high school and has completed fewer than 30 transferable college credits post-high school.

• College preparation coursework and corresponding GPA
• Official college transcripts (if applicable)*

Non-High School Graduates

• GED Score
• Essay
• Letter of Recommendation

Home-Schooled Graduates

• HiSET Battery Test Scores OR GED Score
• Essay

To complete the admissions process, submit all documents outlined above to:

OUAZ Office of Admissions
15950 N Civic Center Plaza
Surprise, AZ  85374
855-546-1342
OUAZ Admissions

*NOTE: Transcripts sent from a student or hand-carried to campus will NOT be accepted as official. Official transcripts must be sent directly to Ottawa University from the college, university or high school attended.  Please send official transcripts to outranscripts@ottawa.edu. Unofficial transcripts can be used for admission purposes only.

The best method to start your admissions process is to contact an Enrollment Advisor to review the admission requirements, as well as your career ambitions, work experience, prior college credits, and other life experiences that you can apply toward your degree program and completion. You can contact an Enrollment Advisor at OUAZ Admissions.

Admissions Requirements

A transfer student is defined as a student has earned 30 or more college credits, post-high school.

You will need to submit the following:

• An admissions application (you can apply online)
• A $25 application fee
• Official transcripts from all prior institutions*

To complete the admissions process, submit all documents outlined above to:

OUAZ Office of Admissions
15950 N Civic Center Plaza
Surprise, AZ 85374
(855) 546-1342
OUAZ Admissions

*NOTE: Transcripts sent from a student or hand-carried to campus will NOT be accepted as official. Official transcripts must be sent directly to Ottawa University from the college, university or high school attended.  Please send official transcripts to outranscripts@ottawa.edu. Unofficial transcripts can be used for admission purposes only.

Graduate Students

The best way to begin your admissions process is to contact an Enrollment Advisor to review the admission requirements, as well as your career pursuits, work experience, prior college credits, and other life experiences that you can apply toward your graduate degree. Contact OUAZ Admissions at 855-546-1342 to get started today!  

Admissions Requirements

You will need to submit the following:

• An admissions application (you can apply online)
• A $75 application fee
• All official undergraduate transcripts (3.0 GPA - minimum requirement)*
• A Graduate School Admission Essay/Personal Statement - This is an essay focused on professional career development. It should also demonstrate the ability to organize thoughts in writing and present them in a clear manner. This is an opportunity for you to showcase yourself as an excellent candidate for the Graduate School at Ottawa University. See Graduate School Essay Template for assistance.

• A current resumé of professional work and volunteer experience
• A list of personal recognitions and academic honors, awards, prizes and community service activities related to your program
• Three (3) letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with your academic and professional abilities   

The admissions committee evaluates all applications on the basis of academic background, work experience, recommendation letters, and your personal statement on career development. GMAT and GRE scores are not required.

Some master's degree programs may have additional application requirements. If you are applying without a bachelor's degree in a closely related field, some additional coursework may be required. If you are looking for online degree programs for adults, contact us for more details.

To complete the admissions process, submit all documentation outlined above to:

OUAZ Office of Admissions
15950 N Civic Center Plaza
Surprise, AZ  85374
855-546-1342
OUAZ Admissions

*NOTE: Transcripts sent from a student or hand-carried to campus will NOT be accepted as official. Official transcripts must be sent directly to Ottawa University from the college, university or high school attended.  Please send official transcripts to outranscripts@ottawa.edu. Unofficial transcripts can be used for admission purposes only.

International Students

At Ottawa University Arizona, we believe that international students like you bring an exciting new perspective to our campus life. We are pleased you are interested in studying here and we know you will feel right at home on our campus. When you’re here, you’ll find that the city of Surprise and the Valley of the Sun have a wide range of opportunities and experiences in which you can partake.

Admissions Requirements

Requirements for International High School Students

• A U.S.-Equivalent GPA of 2.5 or above (above-average grades in secondary school)
• ​Successful completion of a high school or secondary school diploma or certificate

​Requirements for International Graduate Students

• A U.S.-Equivalent GPA of 3.0 or above
• ​Successful completion of a bachelor's degree.

Requirements for International Transfer Students

• A U.S.-Equivalent GPA of 2.0 or above (passing grades in college) for undergraduate program students or GPA of 3.0 or above for graduate students
• A course completion rate (Earned-to-Attempted Percentage) of 70 percent

Requirements for All International Students

• Meet program-specific admission criteria for at least one academic program
• Submit an affidavit of financial support showing the ability to pay for one full year
• Submit a maximum two-page, double-spaced essay describing your "Sense of Purpose at Ottawa University." Please organize your thoughts around one of the following three components using specific experiences from your life: Personal, Intellectual or Civic/Social
• ​Verify English Proficiency. This can be established by taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Countries not required to submit TOEFL/IELTS scores include Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
• Copy of passport (F1 visa, most recent I-20 and I-94 if you are on F1 visa currently)

TOEFL scores required:

• Minimum total score: 79

• There are no minimum subsection scores for undergraduate students.

• Graduate students must receive a minimum of a 20 on all subsection scores with the exception of speaking which must receive a minimum score of 22.

IELTS scores required:

• Overall Score – 6.5

• Minimum subsection scores – 5.5

• Skype interview required if any subsection score is below –6.0

Duolingo scores required:

• Undergraduate students must achieve a minimum overall score of 105.

• Graduate students must achieve a minimum overall score of 110.

• Undergraduate and graduate students must achieve a minimum score of 95 for each subsection score.

Foreign Credential Evaluation

Students with foreign credentials who are applying to Ottawa University must have their credentials evaluated. Students must submit official copies of appropriate documents including front and back of each credential. Evaluations will not be conducted if official copies are not provided. If you have not taken any college-level courses outside the U.S., you only need to submit a certificate of graduation from a high school. This certificate does not need to be evaluated by a credential evaluator.

Students may wish to use an approved outside evaluator at their expense. Approved evaluators are members of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). Reports include information about the credential awarded and the U.S. equivalency. For a complete list of approved evaluators, visit the NACES website at www.naces.org.

If you are interested in Ottawa University programs, please request a course-by-course evaluation for any college-level courses completed outside of the U.S. to be considered for transfer.

Students applying to Ottawa University's residential campus in Surprise, Arizona, submit all documentation outlined above to:

Ottawa University Office of Admissions
Enrollment Advisor - International Students
15950 N. Civic Center Plaza
Surprise, AZ  85374
855-546-1342
Click here to email

Scholarships

Students admitted to Ottawa University Arizona’s residential campus may have an opportunity to attain academic or activity scholarships.  For more information please contact the Office of Admissions or visit Scholarships.

Life at OUAZ

As an international student, you’re looking for a degree that will allow you to stand out in a competitive and globalized world. Whether you’re looking to study business, the humanities or education, Ottawa has a degree that will prepare you for your future career. Find a program that’s right for you. You can also learn more about Ottawa’s academic programs and faculty by visiting the Online Catalog and Faculty Directory.

Are you looking for a college experience beyond the classroom while living life in a different culture? If so, the residential campus in Ottawa is the place for you! Ottawa University is committed to ensuring you experience all that Ottawa has to offer. Attending theater performances and athletic events, writing for the student newspaper, or being active in student organizations, there’s a place for you to be involved and to become a part of the Ottawa University community. Click here to learn more about campus life and student activities offered at Ottawa.

Experience the Southwest

Surprise, Arizona
Learn more about the community of Surprise.

Other Places of Interest
Learn more about the Phoenix metropolitan area.

Tribal Students

Ottawa University is privileged to carry on the legacy of providing a free education to Ottawa Tribe members that was begun by our Baptist and Tribal founders. Because of the special heritage you enjoy as part of the Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma, you are allowed to attend Ottawa University free of any tuition or room and board charges. This is due in part to the renewal and expansion of the original agreement by Chancellor Kevin Eichner in 2008. Since the agreement’s expansion, we have enjoyed more Tribe members on campus than ever before.

As you consider taking advantage of this agreement by enrolling at Ottawa University, an Ottawa University Enrollment Advisor can help you start the admissions process by reviewing the residential campus admissions requirements, as well as discussing your career objectives, evaluating any prior college credits, and answering any questions you may have. Your Enrollment Advisor will also direct you to:

• Contact your Tribal Higher Education Office and begin the process for tuition assistance or scholarships
• Complete the Federal Application for Free Student Aid
• Complete the Bureau of Indian Affairs application
• Consider all the residential campus programs for your course of study.
• Remain in contact with your Tribal Higher Education Office so that you are aware of financial assistance or scholarship options.

Admissions Requirements

Whether you are a first-year, non-high school graduate (e.g. GED) or a transfer student, you will need to submit the following:

• An admissions application (you can apply online)
• A $25 application fee
• Items outlined below:

First-Year Students
For requirements, please check the First Year Students tab.

Transfer Students
For requirements, please check the Transfer Students tab.*

To complete the admissions process, submit all documents outlined above to:

OUAZ Office of Admissions
15950 N Civic Center Plaza
Surprise, AZ  85374
855-546-1342
OUAZ Admissions

*NOTE: Transcripts sent from a student or hand-carried to campus will NOT be accepted as official. Official transcripts must be sent directly to Ottawa University from the college, university or high school attended.  Please send official transcripts to outranscripts@ottawa.edu. Unofficial transcripts can be used for admission purposes only.

OUAZ Bound - Deposited Students

We are so excited you have chosen to join the OUAZ Spirit family! We can’t wait for you to begin classes on campus, but there are a few steps to get you ready. The following pages are meant to help you through that process.

Financial Aid

Our Family Financial Planner, Hugo Estrella is here to assist with your Financial Aid questions. Click here to schedule an appointment with Hugo. In an effort to make this process easier on our students’ families, students will want to log-in to the MyOttawa portal (myottawa.ottawa.edu—open in a new page) to find what documents still need to be completed. 

Directions for logging into the MyOttawa portal are located in the “MyOttawa News” tab.

Once you log-in, you will want to click

• “Student”
• “Financial Information”
• “View Financial Aid Document Tracking”

There you will find a list of documents that need completion. Please complete ALL items PRIOR to your enrollment event. 

In addition, the Office of Financial Aid may be mailing and/or emailing you with a variety of details regarding your financial aid package. These correspondences are extremely important, so please read them and reply in a prompt manner.

Financial Timeline

Fall 2024 Students

• December 1, 2023 – FAFSA Opens for submission
• June 1, 2020 – 12 month payment plan begins
• July 1, 2024 – Estimated statement is available and 11 month payment plan begins
• August 1, 2024 - 10 month payment plan begins
• August 11, 2024 - Students are required to be financially cleared. If not cleared, check with Family Financial Planner, Hugo Estrella.

Billing Information

Directions for logging into the MyOttawa portal are located in the “MyOttawa Portal” tab.

Once you log-in, you will want to click

• “Students”
• “Financial Information”
• “Course and Fee Statement”
• “Set Options”
•  Select Undergraduate, Fall, 2024
• “Submit Options”

Payment Information

Ottawa University offers students and families several options to assist with any amount due after financial aid has been applied. Those options include:

• In person Check / Cash / Credit Card payment
• Online payment through the MyOttawa portal:

Directions for logging into the MyOttawa portal are located in the “MyOttawa Portal” tab.

• Once you log-in, you will want to click
  • “Students”
  • “Financial Information”
  • "Make a Payment"
• Interest Free Payment Plan through Transact.  There is a $35 set up payment fee.
  • 12 month payment plans begin June 1, and payments conclude on May 1
    • Even if it is after June 1, it is NOT too late to sign up for your payments to begin in June. Remember that each subsequent payment is due on the first day of the month.
  • 11 month payment plans begin on July 1 and payments conclude on May 1
  • 10 month payment plans begin on August 1 and payments conclude on May 1
• Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)
  • The first step is to get approved by clicking here.
• Alternative Education Loans

For details, click here.

FAFSA Information

This is the application that allows you to receive federal student aid for the upcoming school year.

We encourage you to file right away. There are types of federal student aid that are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Also, you can use last year’s tax data if you have not yet filed your 2022 taxes.
  

 
You can find more information about federal student aid at www.studentaid.gov. Should you have any questions, please contact Hugo Estrella at 623-233-7558 or hugo.estrella@ottawa.edu

Returning students with questions, please contact OUAZ's Financial Aid Office at department at 855-546-1342 or surprisefa@ottawa.edu

MyOttawa Portal

The MyOttawa portal is an important asset for our students and is your primary source for information as you begin your college career as a member of the OUAZ Spirit family.

How do I sign in?

• Go to myottawa.ottawa.edu
• Username: Your Student ID # (Your ID number is printed on most documents you receive from Ottawa University)
• Your password for your email, Blackboard and MyOttawa will always be identical. Follow the steps below to retrieve/reset your password.
  • Check your personal email for a message from Ottawa University regarding your OU student email and password. We encourage you to reset your password to be something you can easily recall.
  • Go to www.ottawa.edu/MyPass
  • Login with your OU Student ID and setup your security questions.
  • Once this is complete, you may reset your current password.
• What if I did not receive or have lost my initial email regarding my password?
  • Contact your Enrollment Advisor for a duplicate password to be sent.

What can I find on MyOttawa?

• Class schedule
• Missing financial aid documents
• Housing assignments
• On Campus Jobs
• Course and Fee Statement
• So much more

Student Email
Another important element that you will find on MyOttawa is a link to your student email. This email account has been established for you and is yours to keep—even after you graduate from Ottawa University.

This will be one of the venues for communication with the University—professors, financial aid, the business office, and much more. Check it regularly to stay up to date on happenings around campus.

Your student email address is typically firstname.lastname@student.ottawa.edu. 

• Your password for your email, Blackboard and MyOttawa will always be identical. Follow the steps below to retrieve/reset your password.
  • Check your personal email for a message from Ottawa University regarding your OU student email and password. We encourage you to reset your password to be something you can easily recall.
  • Go to www.ottawa.edu/MyPass
  • Login with your OU Student ID and setup your security questions.
  • Once this is complete, you may reset your current password.

To access your student email, go to the MyOttawa portal.

E2campus
This is also the place where you can sign up for the E2campus alert system. This system is used to notify you of important and emergency announcements. This service is available through email and text. To sign up for E2campus you will need to sign into your MyOttawa portal.

Directions for logging into the MyOttawa portal are listed above.

Once you log-in, scroll to the bottom of the page. You will see “Get the Message”. Click on “create an account” and follow the prompts. Once you have created an account you will receive a verification code via text. You will need to type it into the verification box on the website. Once this is completed you are set up to receive notifications.

Blackboard
Another important element that you will find on MyOttawa is a link to Blackboard. This is an online tool that you will use to take your math assessment. In addition, it will be used in many classes. This online platform will allow you to upload assignments, take online quizzes, check your grades, view resources and much more.