Paying For College

types of financial aid

Federal Aid

FEDERAL PELL GRANT

This federal aid program provides financial assistance to undergraduate students. Recipients are determined by the results of the FAFSA. The amount of the Pell Grant is based on the family’s financial resources and the student’s enrollment status. Eligibility is limited to a total of six years as a full-time student. The Pell Grant is credited to the student’s tuition charges.

FEDERAL WORK STUDY AND FEDERAL WORK COLLEGE PROGRAMS

All students at College of the Ozarks must participate in the Work Education Program. Students work as a minimum contribution to their tuition, as well as being an integral part of the educational experience. Work Study pay rate will be no less than the federal or state minimum wage (whichever is greater). The Work Education Program is described in the Student Handbook and the Work Education Program area of the College website.  All FWS funds are credited to the student’s tuition charges.

SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANT (FSEOG)

This federal grant is available to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. The maximum SEOG award at College of the Ozarks is $2,000. A student applies for the SEOG by filing the FAFSA. The SEOG is credited to the student’s tuition charges.

State Aid

ACCESS MISSOURI GRANT

Grants are available to full-time students with financial need who are Missouri residents. Students apply for Access Missouri when they file the FAFSA by April 1st for the upcoming year. The Access Missouri Grant is credited to the student’s tuition.

BRIGHT FLIGHT

Grants are available to full-time students who are Missouri residents and have a composite score on the ACT or SAT within the top five percent of all Missouri test takers. Students must submit any requested supplemental eligibility information by the designated deadline to the Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development (MDHEWD). Bright Flight is credited to the students account to be used towards educational expenses (such as room and board, fees, and for books and supplies). 

Institutional Aid

TUITION ASSURANCE SCHOLARSHIP

The College awards the Tuition Assurance Scholarship after all grants and work credits are applied to the student’s account. The Tuition Assurance Scholarship serves to meet the remaining tuition for all full-time students.

HOUSING AND FOOD SCHOLARSHIPS EARNED WITH SUMMER WORK

Housing and food scholarships are awarded to qualified students who participate in the on-campus Summer Work Education program in which students work six or twelve 40-hour work weeks.  The earned credit is applied to housing and food charges for the upcoming school year. Summer Work Education Program room and board scholarship credit not utilized during the academic year will be returned to the scholarship fund. Summer housing and food charges for students participating in the Summer Work Education Program are also covered by this scholarship. Applications for the summer Work Education Program are made available on Campusweb during the spring semester for students who are currently enrolled. Students accepted for the fall term should contact the Admissions Office for application procedures. Students who do not participate in the summer Work Education Program may elect to retain a campus room during the summer at a weekly rate and work at an off-campus job. (The rental program is not available for incoming students.)

AWARDS CONVOCATION SCHOLARSHIPS

Several funds have been made available by individuals and trust funds to support a special Awards Convocation in the spring of each year. Students are chosen based on citizenship, grades, work performance, leadership, and Christian growth.

OTHER INSTITUTIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS

Institutional scholarships are available to eligible students and may be requested each year through the Financial Aid Office. Scholarship awards are based on available funding, demonstrated financial need, and the specific criteria established for each scholarship. Students interested in applying or seeking additional information are encouraged to contact the Financial Aid Office with any questions.
 

Loans

FEDERAL, STATE AND PRIVATE EDUCATIONAL LOANS

College of the Ozarks strongly discourages student debt and, therefore, does not participate in any federal, state, or private student loan programs.