The first step in applying for financial aid is to apply for student Stafford Loans.  You will find the necessary steps to apply for Stafford loans below. Check each step carefully as first year or first time borrowers must complete additional steps to apply for the Stafford loans.

The second step is to apply for scholarships. The deadline for scholarship applications was May 1st.  No applications will be accepted after this date. 

Think about applying for other loans.  Once you know how much financial aid you will have from Stafford loans and OU-COM scholarships, the next step is to determine if you need to apply for other loans such as the Graduate PLUS loan.  This last step often takes place long after you have applied for Stafford loans and scholarships so, for right now, we recommend that you “Check your Credit Report” to make sure that you will in good shape to qualify for the Grad PLUS loan.  Then you can complete the actual Grad PLUS loan application  closer to the beginning of the school year.

Follow the detailed steps below:

Step 1 = Complete the FAFSA   (Required for all students) Be sure to use the correct code for OU-COM, which is E00306 Be sure to include your parents' financial information on the FAFSA if you are planning to apply for scholarships:   Step 2 = Complete the OU-COM Stafford  Loan Application (Required for all students) How do I know how much I should ask to borrow? Step 3 = Complete the application for OU-COM Institutional Scholarships  The deadline for OU-COM Institutional Scholarships was May 1st.  We are no longer accepting applications.   Step 4 = Complete the Entrance Interview Part I "Eye Opener"  and  Entrance Interview- Part II " OpenNet"  (Required for Class of 2012 or a student who has not borrowed Stafford loans while attending OU-COM) Take approximately 20 minutes.  Hint - print a the confirmation sheet and keep it incase we do not receive the electronic notification Step 5 = Determine if you are eligible to apply for Disadvantaged Scholarships (Optional) Disadvantaged application  What is the definition of disadvantaged?

I've submitted all of my forms, What Happens Next?

Generally, we process Stafford loans first.  We usually begin processing these in May.  Once we have received all of the required forms, we will certify a Stafford Loan in the amount that you indicated from the lender that you selected from (step 2 above).  We will send you a financial aid award letter which shows your Stafford Loans (since we don't award scholarships until, later, this letter will most likely not include any scholarship info.

You may be required to sign a Master Promissory Note for your Stafford loan.  Instructions for doing that will be included in the financial aid award letter so be sure to follow all of the directions in the letter.

When will I hear if I have been awarded a scholarship?

The answer to this depends on many factors, some of which are beyond our control.  Generally, you will hear about your loan package before you hear about scholarships.  It is our intention to try to award scholarships in late May or June (FYI-last year we did not award scholarships until October).  When we award the OU-COM scholarships, we will contact all students who applied for these scholarships so that you will know one way or the other, whether you were awarded an OU-COM institutional scholarship.  

I've received my Stafford Loans and heard about scholarships but I still need more funding, what do I do next?

Applying for Graduate PLUS loans:  

Once you know how much financial aid you will have from Stafford loans and OU-COM scholarships, the next step is to determine if you need to apply for other loans such as the Graduate PLUS loan.  We recommend that you  “Check your Credit Report” to make sure that you will in good shape to qualify for this loan. 

Consider signing up for Direct Deposit

If you are a currently enrolled OU-COM student and already receive your financial aid overage checks by Direct Deposit, you do NOT have to complete this form again.