Applications for financial aid can be secured through the Financial Aid Office. Northern requires financial aid applicants to submit the free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Northern's Title IV Institutional Code is 003162.
Students may be requested to submit a copy of the most recent federal income tax papers. A package or combination of various financial aid programs can often be secured to meet the needs of the individual student in order that he or she may go to college.
Short-term loans are available to students through the Northern Oklahoma College Foundation to students on the Tonkawa campus. These loans can be made to students who are enrolled at least half time (six or more credit hours) and who need short-term assistance with tuition, books, fees, or room and board. A student may borrow as much as $200 for 30 days. Application may be made at the Student Services Office, FP 113.
The money for these loans has been donated by supporters and former students of Northern Oklahoma College and through memorials to individuals who cared about young people and who knew the importance of education.
Scholarships
For additional information, contact the Student Services office at 580.628.6760 or E-mail.
Programs
Federal Programs
Note, the following federal and state programs are subject to continuous change.
Grants
Pell Grant
The Pell Grant Award is a grant and, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid. Pell Grants may range from $976 to $5350 per year.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants
A limited number of Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants have been made available by the Higher Education Act of 1965. These grants are awarded through institutions of higher education to qualified students of exceptional financial need who would not be able to attend college without such aid due to lack of financial means of their own or their families. Grants are combined with other types of financial aid to the extent necessary to enable the student to meet his or her educational expenses.
Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant Program
The OTAG Program is operated by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. Tuition Grant awards for up to $1,000 a year are available to eligible Oklahoma students. All applicants are required to submit the FAFSA.
The grants are made primarily for educational purposes. Both financial need and scholastic ability are considered in determining eligibility. To apply for a college grant, one should contact the specific tribal higher education office.
Loans
Federal Stafford Loans
Under this program a student may borrow from a bank or other lending institution participating in the program. These loans are either Subsidized (interest paid by federal government while student is enrolled) or Unsubsidized.
Federal Stafford Loans
A dependent freshman student may borrow as much as $3500 per year. Sophomores may borrow $4500. In addition, dependent students may borrow up to $2000 more and independent students may borrow up to $6,000 more under the Unsubsidized Stafford Loan program. Interest rates are currently fixed at 6.00% for subsidized loans and 6.8% for unsubsidized loans. Repayment begins six months after the student has terminated his or her course of study. A part-time student carrying six (6) or more credits may qualify for this program.
PLUS Loans
Parents may borrow for each child who is enrolled at least halftime and is a dependent undergraduate student. A borrower must begin repaying a PLUS loan immediately.
Scholarships
Vocational Rehabilitation Scholarship
The State Board of Education through the Vocational Rehabilitation Division offers payment of tuition and other services to students who have substantial employment handicaps, provided the vocational objective selected by the student has been approved by a representative of the division. Applications for Vocational Rehabilitation from this area should be made to the Vocational Rehabilitation Office, Newkirk, Oklahoma.
Bureau of Indian Affairs
The Bureau of Indian Affairs administers a scholarship grant program to those Indians whose tribal membership records are maintained. There are BIA area offices that administer a scholarship grant program to Indian students whose tribal membership is on record within those offices. Recipients must have a certificate of degree of Indian blood and have membership in a tribal group served by the BIA.
Work
Federal Work-Study Program
Northern Oklahoma College participates in the federal work-study program. One of the basic conditions of student eligibility for this program is that the student be from a low-income family. He or she must be at least a half-time student and be in good standing.