Student Financial Services

General Information

To make high quality private higher education accessible to all qualified students, The University of Tulsa offers financial assistance in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, and part-time employment.

Financial Need Determination

The Office of Student Financial Services uses the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine financial need. Students must submit the FAFSA directly to the processor. All information contained in these credentials is held in strict confidence. Also, financial records are protected in accordance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended. Financial need represents the difference between the cost of attending the University and the amount that the student is expected to contribute toward the educational costs.

The factors considered in determining the types and amounts of aid received by an applicant are: (1) the availability of funds; (2) the student’s financial need; and (3) the student’s classification and record of academic performance. Applicants desiring first consideration should submit their applications as soon after October 1 as possible to assure timely consideration for the next academic year.

Financial Aid Packaging

Packages of aid may consist of a combination of scholarship, loan, and employment. This aid packaging concept enables the University to make more funds available to a larger number of applicants. The FAFSA form is required for consideration for loans, and part-time employment opportunities. Recipients of federal aid must reapply each year to be considered for continuation in the following year. Timely submission of the FAFSA and all requested information is required to receive the largest award possible.

The University of Tulsa reserves the right to reduce or rescind award packages if federal allocations to the University are insufficient to cover expenditures.

Academic Requirements

All students who receive financial assistance must demonstrate the ability to do satisfactory college work. High academic performance is usually required for scholarship consideration.

There are minimum academic course-load requirements for the various types of financial assistance available through the Office of Student Financial Services. For financial aid purposes, full-time and half-time enrollment is enrollment in a minimum of nine and five hours respectively during the fall, spring, and summer terms. The only exception is the last fall and spring semester prior to completion of a master’s degree or during the last four semesters (last two fall and last two spring semesters) before completion of a doctoral degree. Students must be enrolled in at least one credit hour to be eligible for federal financial aid. If students are enrolled in an internship to complete their degree requirements and have no tuition charges, they are only eligible to borrow a private, credit-based loan. Enrollment in audit classes does not count toward eligibility for financial assistance.

Students receiving financial aid who reduce their course loads below the required minimums after enrollment must inform the Office of Student Financial Services, which may cancel awards at any time if students fail to maintain satisfactory academic progress or minimum course-load requirements.

Transient students and those who only attend summer term are ineligible for financial aid. All aid recipients must be admitted as regular students pursuing a degree program.

Eligibility for continued financial assistance depends upon maintaining satisfactory academic progress and good standing. Students who do not meet satisfactory progress and good-standing criteria may not be eligible for federal financial assistance for the next academic period. If extenuating circumstances interfere or prevent students from meeting these requirements, they should contact the Office of Student Financial Services immediately.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Federal regulations require that all recipients of student financial assistance make satisfactory academic progress toward a degree or eligible certificate. Students applying for assistance through the Federal Pell Grant, Federal SEOG, Federal Work Study, TEACH Grant, Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant (OTAG), Federal Perkins Loan, Direct Subsidized Stafford Loan, Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, and Direct Graduate PLUS Loan programs must meet the following three requirements to maintain their financial aid eligibility at The University of Tulsa:

1. QUALITATIVE: Students are required to maintain a required minimum cumulative grade point average.
2. QUANTITATIVE (PACE): Students are required to complete (pass) a minimum 67% of hours they attempt.
3. MAXIMUM TIME FRAME: Third, students must complete their degree within a timely manner.

These three requirements are summarized in the following charts.  Failure to meet ALL of these minimum academic standards will result in the loss of federal financial aid eligibility. Students are expected to know, based on this Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy, when they may be placed on *Financial Aid Warning, Financial Aid Suspension or Financial Aid Probation. Satisfactory academic progress is reviewed at the end of each semester once grades have been posted to the academic transcript. 

1. Qualitative - Grade Point Average Requirement - Each student must meet a required minimum cumulative grade point average to remain eligible for federal student aid.

2. Quantitative (Pace) - Satisfactory Completion of Semester Hours Requirement - Students must also successfully complete and pass 67% of all hours attempted to remain eligible for federal financial aid. Grades of A, B, C, D, F, P, I, W, MG, NG and W are all considered attempted hours. All transfer and repeat hours are included in this calculation. Courses dropped within the first 3 weeks of the semester will not be included in the calculation.  Please refer to the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards charts for Graduate Students.

3.

Maximum Time Frame for Degree Completion - Students must complete their degree program within an allotted time frame to remain eligible for financial aid. The chart below indicates the time frame in which a degree must be acquired. Be aware that hour limits are cumulative; therefore, all accepted hours from all institutions attended will be included, even if a student did not receive federal student aid. The Office of Student Financial Services recommends that students contact their graduate program advisor to ensure they are taking the courses necessary to complete their degree. For financial aid purposes grades of A, B, C, D, F, P, I, MG, NG and W are all considered attempted hours. All transfer and repeat hours are included in this calculation, as well as all courses dropped within the first three weeks of the semester.

Once students reach their maximum time frame (150% of the published length of the program) for their specified degree, they are no longer eligible for federal student aid. 

Extension of Eligibility. If extenuating circumstances prevent satisfactory academic progress, a student may request an extension of eligibility by submitting a petition to the Office of Student Financial Services. All petitions for federal financial aid reinstatement should be received no later than the first day of class in the semester the extension will take effect.

Repeated Coursework

Students may receive federal financial aid consideration to repeat a previously passed course once. Student may repeat failed courses until they have attained a passing grade. An “Incomplete” grade (I) that remains on the academic record at the time satisfactory academic progress is reviewed will be treated as not completed but the attempted hours will be counted. Upon completion of the Incomplete (I) course, the grade and course will be given due credit in future consideration.

Please note that Financial Aid Warning, Probation and Suspension are separate from Academic Probation and suspension.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Evaluation

Satisfactory Academic Progress is evaluated at the conclusion of each academic semester after grades have been posted. All attempted hours and transfer hours are counted during this evaluation.  Courses dropped within the first 3 weeks of the semester will not be included in the SAP evaluation.

• Good Standing - students that are enrolled in an eligible program, in compliance with satisfactory academic progress, and receiving federal aid.
• A Financial Aid Warning - is given to students for one semester who do not meet both requirements I and II shown above. This is a warning status and financial aid eligibility and payment of funds will be continued throughout the warning period. Note: A warning is not given to students regarding maximum time frame, it is the student’s responsibility to know how many hours they have attempted and where they stand. Students that have been placed on Financial Aid Warning may be removed from that status and return to Good Standing by meeting the completion rate and/or cumulative grade point average requirements as set forth in the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy by the end of the Financial Aid Warning term.
• Financial Aid Suspension - will be required for students who fail to meet both requirements I and II, at the conclusion of their Financial Aid Warning semester. Students cannot receive funds from the federal aid programs listed above while suspended.
• Financial Aid Probation - is assigned to students who were on “Financial Aid Suspension”, appealed and have received an appeal approval. The status of Probation is given for the next period of enrollment for one final opportunity to demonstrate satisfactory academic progress. Federal financial aid is reinstated on probationary status for one payment period only, after the appeal is approved. The student will receive an approval letter along with a list of conditions that must be performed for reinstatement of federal financial aid for the upcoming semester. Students are placed on Financial Aid Probation only once during their academic career at The University of Tulsa. The student must comply with the completion and grade point average requirements by the end of the semester. After grades for the semester are posted to the student academic transcript, the Office of Student Financial Services will review the academic performance of the student to determine if the satisfactory academic progress requirements are met. If the student meets the SAP requirements at the completion of the semester, federal financial aid is continued for future semesters. If the student cannot mathematically achieve SAP standards in one payment period, an academic plan will be required.
• Financial Aid Academic Plan - is the status assigned to students who were on “Financial Aid Suspension,” appealed and have received an appeal approval, however, the student cannot achieve SAP standards within one payment period. Students in this category must follow an individually designed Academic Plan developed to ensure achievement of satisfactory academic progress standards over an assigned period of time. Students remain eligible for federal aid as long as the conditions of the Academic Plan are met.
• Rules are applied uniformly to all students whether or not aid has been received previously.

Financial Aid Appeal Process

A student with extenuating circumstances may appeal a financial aid suspension by submitting a Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal form to the Office of Student Financial Services. The student can either print the form from https://admission.utulsa.edu/financial-aid/financial-aid-forms or pick it up in the Student Financial Services Office. Appeals must explain in detail why the student failed to meet the minimum academic standards, what extenuating circumstances caused the failure, and how the situation has since improved. Examples of extenuating circumstances include, but not limited to, illness, medical issues with immediate family members, or a death in the family. Personal or financial issues with family, friends, or roommates are not considered extenuating circumstances.

The Financial Aid Appeals Committee will evaluate all documentation submitted and the student’s appeal will be approved or denied. The results of the appeal will be emailed to the student’s TU email account within approximately ten working days.

If denied, the student is responsible for paying for their own educational costs until the student improves his/her scholastic record to meet the minimum standards. Students who were denied due to maximum time frame are responsible for paying for their own educational costs for the remainder of their degree program.

If approved, the student will either be:

1. Placed on Financial Aid Probation for one semester only, or
2. Placed on an Academic Plan designed for completion rate and/or cumulative grade point average improvements until the standards of the SAP policy are met.

The student’s approval letter will explain all requirements that must be met during his/her probationary period to continue to receive financial aid.

Removal from Financial Aid Suspension Without Appealing. To re-establish federal financial aid eligibility without completing the appeal process noted above, students must meet all the criteria listed in the Student Financial Services Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy. A student on Financial Aid Suspension can re-establish eligibility by meeting the standards of the SAP Policy by achieving a completion rate of 67% and a required minimum cumulative grade point average without federal and/or state financial aid assistance.

Changing Majors. Students who change majors should contact the Office of Student Financial Services regarding how this will impact their satisfactory academic progress.

Study Abroad or Consortium Classes. Any student who has completed a semester with Study Abroad or have a Consortium Agreement as a Visiting Student with another college or university must wait until grades have been submitted to The University of Tulsa to determine satisfactory academic progress. The student cannot receive federal financial aid for the semester until the grades are received from the institution in which the student was enrolled.

Changing from Undergraduate to Master’s or from Master’s to Doctoral Programs. If the student is beginning a new degree level, satisfactory academic progress begins in a clear status for the new program.

Students Who Have Been Out of Attendance for Over a Year. The University of Tulsa reviews satisfactory academic progress each payment period. If the student was not making satisfactory academic progress when last enrolled, provided it was more than a year ago, the student can be placed on Financial Aid Warning for the first payment period.

Part-Time Students. If the student receives part-time federal financial aid, the required hours completed for satisfactory academic progress will be reduced proportionately.

Transfer Hours. Transfer hours that are accepted by The University of Tulsa and are apply toward the student’s current program, will be included as both attempted and completed hours.

Audit Courses. Grades of “AU” are not counted in the total hours attempted for any semester or as successful completion of the course. Students cannot receive federal financial aid for audit courses.

Independent Courses. Independent courses may count toward successful completion of hours attempted if they are completed by the last day of the semester. For information about eligibility and payment of federal aid for this type of course, please contact the Office of Student Financial Services.

Student Responsibility. Students are held responsible for reading and understanding the Satisfactory Academic Progress eligibility requirements and knowing their status at the end of each semester. If students have any questions, they should contact the Office of Student Financial Services at 918-631-2526.

FAFSA Verification

Students who are eligible for federal funds, you must complete verification prior to the last day of enrollment for 2017-2018 award year or September 22, 2018, whichever is earlier. This date will change each academic year, so please contact the Office of Student Financial Services if you have any questions. In addition, a valid EFC must be received by TU before the last day of enrollment. Direct loan applications must be certified by the Office of Student Financial Services prior to the last day of enrollment to receive loan funds. Please contact the Office of Student Financial Services with questions concerning verification and the required documents.

TU does not disburse awards for students who are selected for verification until the process is complete. Failing to complete verification by the deadlines will result in loss of any eligibility for federal aid funds. If a student completely withdraws prior to submitting the documents for verification, federal aid will not be considered.

Application Procedure

Students must be admitted to the University before final consideration for financial aid is possible. However, applications for admission and financial aid may be submitted and processed simultaneously. Students applying for financial assistance through the Office of Student Financial Services are asked to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Students may complete the FAFSA at: www.fafsa.ed.gov

Create an FSA ID at fsaid.ed.gov to electronically sign the FAFSA.  This will also be used to electronically sign promissory notes should you apply for student loans. Protect this information as you would your social security number.

For Best Consideration

The FAFSA should be completed as soon after October 1st as possible. The FAFSA is used as the University’s application for consideration of most sources of financial assistance. It is designed to be a student’s financial aid application for the Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Work-Study program, and the Direct Loan programs. Once a student’s FAFSA is processed, they will be sent an acknowledgement report via email from the processor.

Direct Loan Programs

Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan

A FAFSA must be filed before TU can determine eligibility for Direct Loans. The Direct Unsubsidized Loan is not based upon need.  Annual loan amounts for graduate/professional students are $20,500 with lifetime aggregate loan amounts at $138,500 (not to exceed $65,500 in Direct Subsidized Loan funds). 

The current interest rate for Direct Unsubsidized Loans is determined each June for new loans being processed for the upcoming award year, which runs from July 1 to the following June 30. The fixed interest rate will be for the life of the loan. The government will deduct an origination (processing) fee from each Direct Unsubsidized Loan disbursement. Refer to studentaid.ed.gov for the actual interest rate and origination fee. Direct Unsubsidized Loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan disburses. A student may defer the interest payment or may choose to pay the interest quarterly.

Prior to receiving the first loan disbursement, borrowers are required to electronically accept the award(s) on the TU Portal, complete entrance counseling and e-sign the electronic Master Promissory Note (eMPN) at studentloans.gov. A Direct Unsubsidized eMPN is valid for ten years. Direct Unsubsidized Loans are made in two equal disbursements for a two-semester loan. At least one-half of the loan period must elapse before the second disbursement can be released. Direct Unsubsidized Loans credit to the student’s account no earlier than the first day of class each semester. A disbursement funds letter will be emailed to the student’s TU email address when funds credit. A student has the right to cancel all or any portion of the loan within 14 days of the loan crediting their account. Repayment begins six months after the student ceases to be enrolled at least half-time. Exit counseling is required upon leaving the university. Refer to studentaid.ed.gov for repayment plans.

Any loans listed above that the student applies for will be submitted to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS), and will be accessible by guarantee agencies, lenders, and schools determined to be authorized users of the data system.

To find helpful information regarding, please visit studentaid.ed.gov.

• Student Aid Programs
• Federal Direct Loan Consolidation
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Repayment Plans & Calculators

Direct Graduate PLUS Loan

A FAFSA must be filed before TU can determine a graduate/law student’s eligibility for a Graduate PLUS (GPLUS) Loan. To request a GPLUS Loan, go to studentloans.gov, click on “Request a Direct PLUS Loan” and select “Graduate PLUS.”

The GPLUS loan is administered by the U.S. Department of Education and approval is based on the absence of adverse credit within the last five years, not credit worthiness. The U.S. Department of Education will run a credit check and notify the student and the Office of Student Financial Services of the credit decision. If the GPLUS loan is approved, the student may e-sign the GPLUS electronic Master Promissory Note (eMPN) at the completion of the application process or e-sign it at a later date at the above website. The GPLUS eMPN is similar to the Direct Unsubsidized Loan eMPN including its use for multiple loans for the same borrower. The GPLUS eMPN is valid for ten years and is a separate eMPN from the Direct Unsubsidized Loan. If the GPLUS loan is denied and later approved with an endorser, the GPLUS eMPN cannot be used for multiple PLUS loans. A new GPLUS eMPN must be e-signed and is only good for the academic year or term the endorsed loan was approved for by the U.S. Department of Education. If the GPLUS loan is denied and later approved with a credit appeal, a new GPLUS eMPN is not required.

The current interest rate for a GPLUS loan is determined each June for new loans being processed for the upcoming award year, which runs from July 1 to the following June 30. The fixed interest rate will be for the life of the loan. Interest begins accruing at the time of disbursement. The government will deduct an origination (processing) fee from each GPLUS loan disbursement. Refer to studentaid.ed.gov for the actual interest rate and origination fee for your PLUS loan.

Prior to receiving the first GPLUS loan disbursement, the GPLUS eMPN must be completed as well as entrance counseling. Entrance counseling may be completed at studentloans.gov. A GPLUS loan is made in two equal disbursements for a two-semester loan. At least one-half of the loan period must elapse before the second disbursement can be released. The GPLUS loan will credit the student’s account no earlier than the first day of class each semester. A disbursement funds letter will be emailed to the student’s TU email when funds credit. Loan funds that exceed student charges will be refunded to the student. A student has the right to cancel all or any portion of the loan within 14 days of the loan crediting the account. Repayment on the GPLUS loan begins six months after the student ceases to be enrolled at least half-time. Exit counseling is required upon leaving the university. Refer to studentaid.ed.gov for repayment plans.

Employment

Federal Work-Study Program (FWS)

Awards. Size is determined by need. Range is normally from $700 to $2,600 per year.

Eligibility. Determined on the basis of need by the Office of Student Financial Services.

Application procedure. File the FAFSA.

Other information: Students are employed in academic or administrative offices on campus. Additional off-campus positions are available in community service agencies. Each year the off-campus agencies contract with the University to hire FWS students. The listing of agencies is available in the Office of Student Financial Services. The Office of Student Financial Services maintains the available positions on the TU website at https://admission.utulsa.edu/financial-aid/student-employment.

Part-time Work for Students Not Receiving Aid

The Office of Housing and the Office of Dining Services often have part-time work available to students not on the Federal Work-Study Program. Apply at Housing & Dining Services. Other departments such as the libraries, KWGS radio station and Allen Chapman Student Union may have work available to students. Check the listings for Institutional Positions at https://admission.utulsa.edu/financial-aid/student-employment.

Information regarding federal financial aid programs is accurate at the time of publication, but subject to congressional change without notice. All federal aid programs require U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status. Scholarship policies are reviewed annually and are subject to change from year to year.

Assistantships, Fellowships, and Scholarships

Assistantships and Fellowships

Graduate financial assistance awards are made upon the recommendation of the applicant’s discipline. Stipends vary according to the amount of work required and the experience of the student. Accompanying tuition scholarships of up to 9 graduate credit hours per semester are based on academic achievement. See Graduate Financial Assistance  for information on these awards. It is important to notify the Office of Student Financial Services when students receive an assistantship or fellowship. This could affect the amount of Federal aid a student is eligible to receive.

Scholarships

The Office of Student Financial Services, the individual programs offering graduate work, and the Graduate School have information on a limited number of scholarships for which graduate students may be eligible. Upon receipt of any scholarship funding, please contact the Office of Student Financial Services to inquire about the effect of the scholarship on the Federal aid package.