Parent to Parent Email Newsletter
November 2007 | December 2007 | January 2008 | February 2008 | March 2008 | April 2008
Welcome
This brief electronic newsletter will come your way via the Internet once a month from November through next August. Saturday, August 23, when your child moves into the dormitory at Ouachita for the fall semester, will be here before you know it.
In addition to news from me and e-mail connections to some helpful folks, the newsletter will include information from members of our faculty and staff. Today you’ll find some helpful comments from Debra Wewers, one of our financial aid officers, included below.
All of us at Ouachita are looking forward to the opportunity to build connections with your family over the next few months. As we work to prepare for the arrival of your son or daughter, we’ll be happy to answer questions you may have.
Over the course of the year, if you need to refer to some of this information, each issue will be posted on our website at www.obu.edu/admissions/parents.
Rex M. Horne, Jr.
President
Ouachita Baptist University
November: Getting Ready
November is the month when many families begin narrowing college choices for their sons and daughters. One of the factors in the decision is the cost of the schools under consideration. All too often, however, families look past the value of this investment and see only the price. So when comparing costs, keep in mind the benefits the student will receive.
For instance, the 2008 issue of U. S. News and World Report ranked Ouachita the number one Baccalaureate College in the South for academic quality and number two Baccalaureate College in the South in the “Great Schools/Great Prices” category. The rankings didn’t give any consideration to our commitment to combine the love of God with the love of learning, and this unique aspect of Ouachita’s character certainly gives additional value to your investment.
The Office of Student Financial Aid is committed to offering a wide array of options for families wishing to supplement their resources for education expenses. One new tool is a merit-based aid calculator on the Ouachita website. Go to link and use the calculator to receive an estimate of merit-based aid your student might receive. (Confirmation of aid offers is sent after the student has been accepted through our Registrar’s Office.)
November also is a great time to look for other private aid sources. Begin by checking with your local church, chamber of commerce, civic group, and employer about available scholarship funds. Often these are terrific sources that go unused. One list of such private aid resources can be found on our website at link.
Finally, remember that in order to be considered for any need-based financial aid, a student must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The application will be available on-line beginning January 1 at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Be sure that you and your student apply for a PIN number at www.pin.ed.gov before you begin filing the FAFSA—you will both need a PIN to submit the FAFSA electronically.
Have questions? There are three financial aid counselors in our office and one will be assigned to help your family explore all available options. Don’t hesitate to give us a call at (870) 245-5570 or send an e-mail to finaid@obu.edu.
Debra Wewers
Student Financial Services
Email us your questions
- Financial Aid and Student Accounts - Student Financial Services (finaid@obu.edu)
- Pre-registration Information - Marsha Whalen (whalenm@obu.edu)
- AP, CLEP - Bill McCrary (mccraryb@obu.edu)
- Transcripts and Immunizations - Judy Jones (jonesj@obu.edu)
- Housing information - Margaret Frazier (frazierm@obu.edu)
- General Questions - Admissions Office (admissions@obu.edu)