State Grant Programs: Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant (OTAG)
The Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant Program (OTAG) is a need-based
grant program for Oklahoma residents who attend
eligible colleges, universities and career technology centers
in Oklahoma. Awards are approved for full-time or part-time
undergraduate students.
Application
Application is made through the Free Application for Federal
Student Aid (FAFSA) available through high school counselors, the
financial aid office at the college you are planning to attend, or
at FAFSA.gov. For best consideration, you
should complete and submit the FAFSA to the federal student aid
application system as soon as possible after the application
becomes available. IT IS IMPORTANT TO APPLY EARLY. Typically, OTAG
receives more eligible applications than can be awarded with
available funds, and how early a student applies may be the
deciding factor in whether that student is offered an OTAG award.
For undocumented immigrant students, a special application is
available. See "Undocumented Immigrant Eligibility"
below.
Eligibility
Financial need is measured by the Student Aid Index (SAI), which
is determined based on the information the student provides on
their FAFSA. The SAI appears on the FAFSA Submission Summary sent
to students by the U.S. Department of Education once the FAFSA has
been processed. Basic requirements for OTAG include the eligibility
to receive a Pell grant in the current academic term.
Many students meet the basic eligibility requirements; however,
funds are limited. State funding is usually finalized around the
end of May each year. Eligible institutions are then notified of
the amount allocated to each school for the award year. Each
institution makes the final selection of recipients on
school-determined eligibility requirements and with consideration
of the funding level each school is to receive.
Eligibility for Comprehensive Transition and
Postsecondary (CTP) Programs
Recent legislation specifically extends Oklahoma Tuition Aid
Grant (OTAG) eligibility to students enrolled in comprehensive
transition and postsecondary (CTP) programs that have been approved
by the United States Department of Education.
Eligibility for Prison Education Programs
(PEP)
Students who are incarcerated in a state, federal or private
correctional facility and enrolled in a Prison Education Program
(PEP) structured primarily for virtual learning are not eligible to
receive tuition aid grants. However, students who are incarcerated
that are enrolled in programs with primarily traditional learning
environments may now be eligible if the individual is within five
(5) years from being released from incarceration. Incarceration
will be defined in accordance with the current definition for
federal and Pell grant eligibility.
Undocumented Immigrant Eligibility
Undocumented immigrants meeting certain requirements may be
considered for OTAG awards. In general, qualified applicants
enrolling in postsecondary education for the first time in 2007-08
and thereafter must:
- Have graduated from a public or private high school in
Oklahoma.
- Have resided in Oklahoma with a parent or guardian while
attending a public or private high school in Oklahoma for at least
two years prior to graduation.
- Satisfy admission standards for the institution.
- Have provided to the institution a copy of a true and correct
application or petition filed with United States Citizenship and
Immigration Services (USCIS) to legalize the student's immigration
status.
In addition, undocumented students are subject to selection by
the school according to the institution's policy.
Undocumented immigrants who have previously received OTAG awards
and/or who were enrolled in postsecondary education in 2006-07 or
earlier are eligible under the criteria that was in effect in
2006-07. These students should call 405.225.9456 or toll free
800.858.1840 for more information regarding their qualifications.
Qualified undocumented immigrant students should complete the Application
for Undocumented Immigrants
(PDF, 264k), following the directions
included on the form regarding completion, and mail directly to the
Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant Program.
Award Amount
Currently, the maximum annual award is the lesser of 75 percent
of enrollment costs or up to $1,500 at eligible community college
and career technology centers, up to $2,000 at regional
universities and up to $3,000 at research universities. Generally,
one half of the award is disbursed in the fall semester, and
one-half is disbursed in the spring semester. Funds are released to
eligible students by campus officials after eligibility has been
determined.
For Further Information
See FAQs
About Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant (OTAG) or contact:
Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant Program
P.O. Box 108850
Oklahoma City, OK 73101-8850
Toll-free: 800.858.1840
In Oklahoma City: 405.225.9456
studentinfo@osrhe.edu