Types of Financial Aid
Scholarships
99% of applicants to OU qualify for one of our merit scholarships. And did you know that the HOPE Scholarship contributes roughly $2,500 per semester to students attending Oglethorpe? If you bring your Georgia HOPE Scholarship to Oglethorpe, we’ll add our own OU HOPE Plus award on top to boost your funding.
Academic merit scholarship awards are based on the credentials presented in your application for admission. No extra forms or essays are required. You must be admitted to OU to receive a merit award.
Traditional undergraduate students who have been nominated for an academic scholarship may be notified in one of two ways:
- By letter: Following acceptance to OU, the Office of Admission will send a scholarship letter announcing the title, amount, and terms of the scholarship. The mailing of scholarship letters typically begins in the mid-winter and continues throughout the spring, reflecting Oglethorpe’s rolling admission policy.
- By invitation to Scholarship Weekend: Following acceptance to OU, select first-time freshman applicants will be invited to Oglethorpe’s annual Scholarship Weekend in January or February of their senior year, during which a competition is held for our most prestigious merit awards. A subsequent scholarship letter will then be sent from the Office of Admission to announce the results of the weekend. If a student is invited to Scholarship Weekend, he or she is certain to receive a merit award; and participation in the weekend will help determine which one.
Merit awards will also appear in your comprehensive financial aid award package.
Merit-based scholarships are renewable for up to four years of undergraduate study provided that you maintain satisfactory academic progress and meet any GPA and enrollment requirements of the award.
If you qualify, we will match the in-state flagship tuition for all 50 states, including the District of Columbia and U.S. Territories. The amount you will pay before any outside aid is applied will be no more than the published tuition and fees for the flagship institution in the state where you reside. To qualify for Flagship 50 tuition match, you must be a first-year student with a cumulative high school GPA of 3.8 (as calculated by Oglethorpe) OR 1400 SAT Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing + Math Superscore OR 30 ACT Superscore. Find out more about Flagship 50 and see sample award scenarios.
James Edward Oglethorpe (JEO) Scholarship
The James Edward Oglethorpe (JEO) Scholarship is a four-year, full-tuition award that recognizes high school seniors with an outstanding record of academic achievement and great potential to contribute to the community life of Oglethorpe University. Candidates must be invited to and attend the JEO competition at Scholarship Weekend. In addition to the full-tuition award, JEO Scholars receive an invitation to enroll in an honors course during the first semester and eligibility for a research stipend for a senior Honors thesis. Up to four JEO scholarships are awarded annually.
OU Theatre Scholarship
The OU Theatre Scholarship is a four-year, full-tuition award that recognizes high school seniors who demonstrate a commitment to performing and understanding theatre. Candidates must be invited to and participate in the OU Theatre competition at Scholarship Weekend. Through their application materials, nominees will have indicated promise in the field of theatre and performance as well as the critical ability to tie these pursuits to disciplines such as literature and history. In addition to the full-tuition award, OU Theatre Scholars have an opportunity to intern with a professional theatre company in Atlanta, as well as an invitation to enroll in an honors course during the first semester and eligibility for a research stipend for a senior Honors thesis. Continued dedication to theatre at Oglethorpe is expected, including a major or double-major in theatre. Up to two OU Theatre scholarships are awarded annually.
J. Fred and Catherine B. Agel Leadership Scholarship
The J. Fred and Catherine B. Agel Leadership Scholarship is a four-year, full-tuition award that recognizes high school seniors who have demonstrated a deep commitment to service and leadership in their communities as well as the promise of continued exemplary service at Oglethorpe and in Atlanta. Candidates must be nominated for the Agel Leadership Scholarship award and participate in our James Edward Oglethorpe competition at Scholarship Weekend. Winners will be chosen based on their history of community involvement and alumni interview during Scholarship Weekend. These scholars are at the forefront of leadership and service initiatives both on and off campus, and they seek to understand the connections between their academic pursuits and the forces and resources in society around them. In addition to the full-tuition award, Agel Leadership Scholars are invited to enroll in an honors course during the first semester and are eligible to seek a research stipend for senior Honors thesis. Up to three Agel Leadership Scholarships are awarded annually.
Hammack Scholarship
The Hammack Scholarship is a four-year, full-tuition award that recognizes high school seniors with an outstanding record of academic achievement, pursuit of entrepreneurial or business-related opportunities, and the desire to major in a business field at Oglethorpe (accounting, business administration, economics, human resources management). In addition to the full-tuition award, Hammack Scholars receive a stipend toward a study abroad course or a professional internship with one of Atlanta’s top companies, a distinguished professional to serve as a career mentor, and an invitation to enroll in a Honors course during the first semester. One Hammack Scholarship is awarded annually.
Oglethorpe Scholars Awards
This group of scholarships for traditional undergraduate candidates ranges in value from $18,000 per year to $27,000 per year and includes the Lanier, University, Oxford, Presidential, and Presidential with Recognition Scholarships. These awards are based on the application for admission and are available to entering students with demonstrated academic achievement. Runners-up at the annual Scholarship Weekend will receive Oglethorpe Scholars Awards.
OU Choral and Instrumental Scholarships
Choral and instrumental music scholarships vary in amount and recognize incoming students pursuing any degree offered at Oglethorpe who demonstrate exceptional achievement in choral singing or instrumental music. Candidates must be nominated by the conductor of their ensemble with a letter of recommendation and the completed application. RSVP forms for admitted student events, including Scholarship Weekend, will include the option to request a music scholarship audition.
HOPE Scholarships
The state of Georgia allocates HOPE Scholarship funds to eligible students attending private universities such as Oglethorpe. This scholarship is available to qualified Georgia residents who have graduated from an eligible high school in Georgia (1996 or later) with at least a 3.0 GPA in the state specified curriculum. Georgia residents who do not qualify under these guidelines may be eligible for HOPE after successful completion of at least 30 semester hours of college work with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Home-schooled students may receive HOPE funds retroactively for their freshman year if they attain at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA after 30 hours at Oglethorpe.
Zell Miller Scholarships
The state of Georgia also allocates Zell Miller Scholarship funds to students attending private universities. These scholarships are available to qualified Georgia residents who have graduated from an eligible high school with a minimum 3.7 GPA combined with a minimum score of 1200 on the math and reading portions of the SAT test or a minimum composite score of 25 on the ACT test in a single national test administration. Georgia residents who do not qualify under these guidelines may instead be considered for the HOPE Scholarship. An eligible Georgia resident may receive either the Zell Miller Scholarship or the HOPE Scholarship. Zell Miller Scholarship recipients must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.3 across all attempted undergraduate coursework to renew their awards.
OU Hope PLUS
For recipients of the HOPE Scholarship or Zell Miller Scholarship, Oglethorpe may consider introducing an institutional supplement to the amount of the HOPE Scholarship awarded by the state of Georgia. If a student is determined to be HOPE-eligible, this supplement will be automatic. The supplement amount will be included in the scholarship award letter. This award is only offered at the time of a student’s admission to Oglethorpe.
If you have been awarded an Oglethorpe Scholars Award and are a resident of Florida, Louisiana, Tennessee, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, or Mississippi and graduate with a 3.0 GPA or higher, we will recognize you with an equivalent grant of $3,500 per year. This award is in addition to other OU scholarships and is renewable for up to four years, provided that you maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher while at Oglethorpe. These awards are merit-based grants directly from Oglethorpe.
Harold Hirsch Scholarship for Non-Traditional Students
This award is provided by the Harold Hirsch Scholarship Fund of Atlanta. The fund provides annual scholarship assistance for degree-seeking students in the Adult Degree Program. Harold Hirsch Scholars must have at least a 3.0 Oglethorpe GPA, demonstrate leadership ability, and financial need.
The Fred C. Robey Endowed Scholar
Funding was established by Fred C. Robey, class of 1997. This scholarship is awarded based upon financial need to international students or to first-generation college students enrolled in Oglethorpe’s adult degree program.
As long as they don’t push a student’s total amount of aid over the Cost of Attendance, outside scholarships will not reduce the scholarships and grants offered from Oglethorpe. A good place to start a search is within a student’s existing relationships, from parents and family members to employers and social organizations. There are also third-party scholarship search sites, like Scholly and Fastweb.
Grants
Grants are a form of financial assistance (also known as ”gift aid”) that you do not have to repay or work to earn. Some grants are awarded based on merit, but many grants take into account family need and circumstances. Grant aid may come from the federal and state governments as well as from Oglethorpe.
If we receive your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) results, you will automatically be considered for any grants for which you qualify. If you receive a merit scholarship, you may still be eligible for additional grants and aid based on your demonstrated financial need.
These grants are need-based awards given by the university in conjunction with federal, state, private, and other institutional assistance to full-time undergraduate day students who demonstrate financial need through the FAFSA. These awards vary from student to student and range in value from $500 to over $20,000 annually.
Federal Pell Grants
Pell Grants are made available to students who have demonstrated exceptional financial need as reported on the FAFSA. The amount of the Federal Pell Grant is determined by the student’s financial resources and the resources of his or her family.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG)
These grants are made available to students with exceptional financial need. SEOG awards range from $100 to $2,500 per academic year and are contingent upon the availability of funds. The national average SEOG is currently $764 per year. To qualify for SEOG, a student must also qualify for the Federal Pell Grant.
Georgia Tuition Equalization Grants (GTEG)
These grants are provided by the state of Georgia to qualified Georgia residents who are full-time undergraduate students attending approved private colleges and universities. To qualify, students (and parents of dependent students) must reside in Georgia for at least one full year prior to the first day of class for any particular semester. Students must also be enrolled full time (12 credit hours or more) and meet all other Georgia Student Finance Authority requirements. The amount of the award is determined annually by the Georgia General Assembly. Students must complete a one-time profile and application online at gafutures.org.
Our goal is to maximize the variety of opportunities to study anywhere in the world. We have identified a handful of study abroad providers (private businesses focused on developing and delivering high academic quality programs) that Oglethorpe students are authorized to apply and participate in. Since these programs are administered by the individual organization/provider, it is essential the student/participant conduct thorough research with the provider to gain comfort on the structure of the program, academics, level of immersion and related programmatic elements, as well as cost.
Students receiving federal and state aid may apply their aid toward the costs of the study away program. Carefully review the complete partner brochure in ViaTRM, visit the authorized provider website, and contact Global Education with questions you may have. Students can locate the authorized provider program brochure and apply using ViaTRM just like all study away programs. Apply for a study abroad provider program using ViaTRM by the posted deadlines just like all study away programs. Students must also complete the provider application and all procedures required by the provider by the deadlines communicated with the student. Students receiving federal or state financial aid can apply it to the program cost for this type of program.
Create an account, complete your traveler info (profile) and complete the Program Match in ViaTRM
Loans
Loans are a form of financial assistance that must be repaid. Some loans are available regardless of your need profile, and others take into account your family’s financial need. A number of low-interest loan options are sponsored by the federal government, while others are available through banks or other lenders. There are many types of loans, both for students and for parents of dependent students.
These are low-interest federal loans available through Federal Student Aid. To qualify, you must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and be enrolled in at least 6 hours per semester. Interest rates for Direct Loans currently fall in the 3.86-5.41% range. Direct Loan eligibility will be reflected in your financial aid award letter from Oglethorpe.
There are two types of direct loans: subsidized and unsubsidized.
Direct subsidized loans are need-based, determined by information in your FAFSA. You are not charged interest while you are in school at least halftime and during and deferment periods.
Direct unsubsidized loans are NOT need-based. Interest accumulates from the date of the first loan disbursement. You have the option to pay the interest while you are in school, during grace periods, deferment or forbearance periods, or you can allow it to accrue and be added to the principal amount of your loan, which will increase the total amount you have to repay over time.
Annual Loan Limits
The federal government set limits on the maximum amount you can borrow each year. Loan limits can be found in the bulletin.
Mandatory Requirements for Loan Recipients
All Federal Direct Stafford Loan recipients must sign a Master Promissory Note (see Mandatory Loan Instructions below) and complete mandatory entrance and exit counseling.
Also see our Lending Code of Conduct below.
Perkins Loans are available to students with demonstrated financial need. If qualified, you may receive a maximum of $4,000 per year and an aggregate maximum of $20,000 for all years as an undergraduate. Exceptional need for financial assistance will determine your annual award. The Federal Perkins Loan bears simple interest at the rate of 5% per year, and interest does not accrue until nine months after you end your studies.
Direct PLUS Loans are made available through banks and other lenders to credit-worthy parents of dependent undergraduate students. The annual loan limit available to parents is equal to the student’s cost of attendance minus any other financial aid that the student will receive. If the Direct PLUS Loan is denied due to adverse credit, a student may be eligible to receive a Direct Unsubsidized Loan in the amount of $4,000 (freshmen and sophomores) or $5,000 (juniors and seniors).
Alternative loans, or private loans, are available to students or to parents of dependent students who need additional financial assistance. Since most private loans are credit-based, you will most likely need a cosigner to qualify. A cosigner is a person who agrees to assume responsibility with you on your private student loan. Your cosigner does not have to be a parent or relative – a cosigner can be any credit-worthy individual. Cosigners increase your chances of getting approved, may help lower your interest rate and may speed up the application process. A good cosigner has an established credit history, no serious derogatory items on his or her credit report, a history of paying bills on time, steady employment and no overextended credit.
Fair Lending Practices – Code of Conduct
Oglethorpe University participates in the Federal Direct Loan Program, however, we do process alternative/private loans for students through banks and other lending institutions. Recent reauthorization of the Higher Education Act of 1965 requires all colleges and universities to provide a Code of Conduct relating to financial aid, private lending and student lending choices.
University employees do not receive any personal benefits from lending institutions. No staff of the Office of Enrollment Services will accept anything of more than nominal value on his or her behalf or on behalf of another person or entity from a lending institution. Likewise, an individual will never accept payment or reimbursement from a lending institution for lodging, meals or travel to conferences or training seminars.
The University does not provide any advantage to any lending institutions. Enrollment Services staff do not accept anything of value from any lending institution in exchange for any advantage or consideration provided to the lending institution related to its student loan activities, including, but not limited to revenue-sharing, printing costs, or computer software or hardware. Likewise, the University does not allow any lending institution to staff Enrollment Services at any time.
The University does not maintain a Preferred Lender List. Students and their parents are free to select the lending institution of their choice for private/alternative loans and may borrow through any lender or guarantor they choose. Enrollment Services does not assign a borrower’s loan to a particular lender and will certify all loans based on a borrower’s selection of a lender.
University Employees do not serve on a lender advisory board for remuneration. No officer or employee of the University who makes financial aid decisions for the University or who is employed in, supervises or otherwise has responsibility or authority over the University’s Office of Enrollment Services will receive any remuneration for serving as a member or participant on a student loan advisory board of a lending institution, or receive reimbursement of expenses for such service.
All new students who plan to borrow through the Federal Direct Stafford Loan program must sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN) in addition to completing Stafford Loan Entrance and Exit Counseling.Before you begin, make sure that you have handy access to your FSA ID and the names and addresses of two personal references. All of these activities take place online at the studentloans.gov website.
Master Promissory Note (MPN)
Required before you receive the first disbursement of your Subsidized or Unsubsidized Loan.
The Master Promissory Note (MPN) is a legal document in which you promise to repay your loan(s) and any accrued interest and fees to the U.S. Department of Education. It also explains the terms and conditions of your loan(s); for instance, it will include information on how interest is calculated and what deferment and cancellation provisions are available to you.
Campus Employment
Oglethorpe offers the option of on-campus employment to help you earn money for college expenses. Some positions are part of a your need-based financial aid package, while others may be available regardless of financial need.
This program is designed to provide qualified students with the chance to earn part of their educational expenses by working a part-time job on campus. To be employed by this program, students must show evidence of financial need through a completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Your financial award packet will indicate if you are eligible for Federal Work-Study. Undergraduates are paid by the hour, and wages must equal at least the federal minimum wage. The amount earned through Federal Work-Study cannot exceed a student’s total FWS award. When assigning work hours, Oglethorpe will consider a student’s award amount, class schedule and academic progress.
First-time work-study recipients will be contacted with more details on their employment opportunities. Typically, the work-study placement process does not begin until the late summer or the beginning of each fall semester, as the number, type and availability of positions must be determined before the Office of Financial Aid can proceed in placing incoming students.
In addition to Federal Work-Study positions, some departments at Oglethorpe offer opportunities for student employment that is not based on financial need. Type and availability of non-work-study employment varies by semester. Enrolled students will receive notice if application opportunities arise for part-time on-campus employment.
Learn more about on-campus jobs and see what’s available by visiting Handshake.
Tax Incentives
A number of Internal Revenue Service (IRS) programs provide assistance in reducing the cost of a college education.
The Hope Credit is a nonrefundable credit against a family’s federal income taxes. The Hope Credit may be claimed for those payments of tuition and related expenses.
The Lifetime Learning Tax Credit applies to qualified tuition and related expense payments.
This incentive applies to education IRA’s. A taxpayer may deposit amounts up to $2000 annually in to a (CESA). The contributions must be for a child under age eighteen. Other family members may also contribute to the (CESA), but the total contributions cannot be higher than $2000.
For specific questions, contact the Internal Revenue Service regarding education credits.
