Over 97 percent of Ouachita students defray a portion of their educational expenses through some form of financial assistance. More than $30,000,000 in scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study jobs is awarded each academic year. Student Financial Services has provided information in this section to help families identify all possible aid sources which, when combined with the family’s own contribution, can make higher education at Ouachita possible.
How to get financial aid at Ouachita:
1. Apply for admission to Ouachita Baptist University.
- Online Application for Admission
- Priority funding for Ouachita scholarships and grants will be given to applicants who apply for admission on or before January 15, 2013. The OBU Admission Application also serves as the application for merit scholarships at the university.
2. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
In order to receive financial assistance, completion of the FAFSA is required. The FAFSA will be used to determine your eligibility for all need based forms of financial aid. The 2013-14 FAFSA will become available to complete after January 1, 2013, and will be based upon 2012 tax information. In order to guarantee your funds will be processed by the start of the fall semester, your FAFSA should be completed prior to June 1, 2013. Families are encouraged to file federal tax forms prior to completion of the FAFSA in order to ensure a smoother application for federal aid.
3. Search other sources prior to enrolling
Although Ouachita provides a comprehensive financial aid program, the vast majority of our students rely on aid awarded from sources outside of Ouachita. All families are encouraged to research and apply for private scholarships and grant funding. Searching for private scholarships requires patience and persistence along with getting an early start. Information on private sources for educational funding are listed on the links below.
- State Aid (Arkansas residents only)
- Private Aid
Updates/Notes