College Planning

How Do I Pay For It?

What is UCanGo2?

A college access program for high school and middle school students and parents

Provides information on how to plan, prepare and pay for college

Helps families create a college-going culture in the home

An initiative of the Oklahoma College Assistance Program and the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education

Visit UCanGo2.org for college planning resources

High School Student Workbook

Why Go To College?

What Do I Want to Be?

How Do I Get There?

Where Do I Go?

How Do I Pay for It?

What is Financial Aid

Money used to help you pay for college

Comes in the form of grants, scholarships, work-study programs and student loans

All students are eligible for some type of financial assistance for college

Apply for this money ASAP after January 1 of your senior year and each year you need money for college

Getting Financial Aid

Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to request financial aid

Find the FAFSA at FAFSA.gov

Online application preferred, but paper forms are available

Sign your FAFSA online with a Personal Identification Number or PIN

Never pay to complete this form; it’s a FREE application

Types of Financial Aid

Free Money Grants Scholarships

Earned Money Work-Study

Student Loans Loans

Federal Grants

Money that does not have to be paid back Usually awarded on the basis of financial need Apply for all federal grants through the FAFSA

form Types of grants:

• Pell Grant

• Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant

• Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant

• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

Scholarships

Money that does not have to be paid back

Awarded on merit, need, skills, hobbies, family history and athletics

Apply for as many scholarships as possible

Search scholarship websites, books, local organizations, churches, family employers, college financial aid offices

Contact your tribal office for assistance if you’re of Native American heritage

Scholarship Success Guide

College Work-Study

Provides part-time jobs for students with financial need

Jobs available on- or off-campus where you’ll perform duties related to a course of study or through involvement within the community

Types of jobs, pay rates and work schedules can vary greatly

Student Loans

Money students and parents borrow to help pay educational expenses

Loans must be repaid and repayment usually begins after education is complete or you withdraw from college

Borrow only the amount you really need to cover school expenses

Look at loans as an investment in the future

Loan Types

Federal Direct Loan• Subsidized – Government pays the interest

on your behalf while you’re in school• Unsubsidized – Student is solely responsible

for the interest

PLUS Loan• Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students

Perkins Loan

Oklahoma Financial Aid

Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant• Apply through the FAFSA• Deadline typically March 1

Oklahoma’s Promise• Scholarship program for eligible Oklahoma

students• Apply in the 8th, 9th or 10th grade

Academic Scholars Program• Awarded to students who score in the 99.5

percentile on the ACT/SAT exams

Relevant and timely posts about the FAFSA

A forum to submit questions about the FAFSA

Tutorial videos in English and Spanish

Links to information about financial aid, money management, income tax issues and FAFSA dependency status

Explanation of common errors

Answers to frequently asked questions

UCanGo2 Resources

Scholarship Success Guide FAFSA Facts College Fair Worksheet College Terms Glossary What Do I Want To Be? Worksheet Campus Visit Checklist Finish the FAFSA in Five Steps Brochure College Planning Checklists Transition to College Brochure Tracking My Classes and Achievements Worksheet

Questions

?

Contact Us

Oklahoma State Regents for Higher EducationOklahoma College Assistance Program

Outreach Department

405.234.4239866.443.7420 (toll free)

UCanGo2@ocap.org