The cost of college can be overwhelming, but the benefits of higher education are substantial. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, earning your bachelor’s degree can lead to a 49% increase in salary or more. At OU Online, we make it easy to estimate your costs with a fixed cost per credit hour and provide you with ways to minimize your out-of-pocket expenses.
The Federal Application for Free Student Aid (FAFSA) provides more than $120 billion in grants, loans, and work-study funds to help students pay for college each year and qualify for scholarships.
While the FAFSA typically opens on October 1, the 2024-2025 FAFSA has been redesigned under the FAFSA Simplification Act for a better user experience. The new FAFSA application will be available to complete by December 31, 2023.
Visit the Student Financial Center website to learn more about the 2024-2025 FAFSA changes.
Filling out a FAFSA doesn’t cost anything and usually takes less than an hour to complete. Remember, to receive aid, you must have full and clear admission into the program.
*You may use an estimated income; however, OU may require you to verify your income.
You can fill out the FAFSA electronically on the FAFSA website, use the myStudentAid app (available in your phone’s app store), or download a FAFSA PDF form that you can fill out and mail in.
Once OU has determined your aid status, you will be sent an electronic or paper aid offer or award letter detailing the specific types of financial aid you have been awarded.
To claim your aid package, you must indicate the specific forms of aid you are accepting and return the signed acceptance form to the OU Student Financial Center.
| Deadline | Date |
|---|---|
| Submit FAFSA for the 2024/2025 academic year | June 30, 2025 |
| Apply for scholarships through CASH for academic year 2024/2025 | October 1 - February 1, 2024 |
“I graduated high school 33 years ago and received my associate degree 30 years ago. To come back and finish what I started has shown me that I can do anything that I put my mind to.”
—Kimberly Warner,
B.A. Organizational Leadership, 2022
“I didn’t ever think I could take online classes, but the classes have been easy to navigate, and the school is very veteran friendly. I just love that you take two or three classes, and it’s split up into eight-week sessions.”
—Jeremy Adams,
B.S. Criminal Justice, 2021
There are many options available to help pay for your education. Check out these additional resources to help you reduce your out-of-pocket costs while pursuing your degree.
OU’s Centralized Academic Scholarship Hub (CASH) is the premier place for students to apply for OU scholarships. Open to all enrolled students; applications are submitted for consideration in the current academic year with award disbursement in the next academic year.
Grants are awarded to students who demonstrate the highest level of need according to information gathered from the FAFSA. Grants do not require repayment.
Some employers offer employee incentives to return to school, including coverage or reimbursement of some or all of your tuition costs. Check with your employer to see if these benefits are available to you.
OU provides a payment plan (PP) for students enrolled in courses for the semester, including the summer session. Participation requires no application. Payments are due on the 25th of each month.
Your eligibility for federal or private student loans can be found on your FAFSA award letter.
If you are military-affiliated and have questions about military benefits for online students, please contact OU Veteran Student Services at 405-325-4308 or veterans@ou.edu.
At OU Online, we understand the cost of college can be overwhelming for students. Our calculator can help you estimate the tuition and fees for your online undergraduate program so you can create a plan to reach your educational goals.
Disclaimer: This is not a bill. This is only an estimate. Current tuition and fees are subject to change based on approval by the Oklahoma Board of Regents or as otherwise consistent with regent policy. Such modifications apply to students enrolled at that time as well as incoming students. This estimate is based on current rates for OU Online programs only. This is not a guarantee of future costs.
Disclaimer: This is not a bill. This is only an estimate. Current tuition and fees are subject to change based on approval by the Oklahoma Board of Regents or as otherwise consistent with regent policy. Such modifications are applicable to students enrolled at that time as well as incoming students. This estimate is based on current rates for OU Online Graduate programs only. This is not a guarantee of future costs.
Students spend $164 on average per year on supplemental materials for class, according to the National Association of College Stores.
Once you have your tuition covered, you’re still going to need a few extra dollars to buy books and additional materials you’ll need to complete your coursework. Below are a few key areas to prioritize:
Computer
New students spend an average of $700 on a computer when starting classes. Those who have a computer spend an average of $357/year on related accessories and other forms of technology, according to 2021 data from the College Board.
Program Subscriptions
OU offers students access to free and discounted software, subscriptions to useful sites like Grammarly, and access to numerous academic resources through the OU Library. Career resources are also available through the OU Career Center.
Textbooks
According to NACS, students spent an average of $339 on textbooks during the 2021-2022 academic year.
When you are admitted into an OU Online program, you will be assigned an advisor who will help you create an individualized graduation plan, organize, and identify the courses you need for your degree and answer any questions you have during your academic journey.
Business Administration & Organizational Leadership
Students with last names A-L – Shelby Cole (shelbyecole@ou.edu)
Students with last names M-Z – Abby Lowrie (alowrie@ou.edu)
Criminal Justice & Integrative Studies – Stephanie Pitchford (steph@ou.edu)
Healthcare Management, Aerospace Defense, Construction Management, & Learning and Education Studies – Emily Arias (earias@ou.edu)
We are a top-tier public institution offering high-quality, affordable, professional undergraduate and graduate programs committed to maintaining academic excellence online.
Every OU Online program is built on the foundation of world-class faculty mixed with professors of practice providing valuable instruction. By linking industry experts with our online programs, we offer the most advanced curriculum and prepare students for future career success.
When you graduate from an OU Online program, you’ll join the network of 250,000 OU alumni and be forever part of the OU family. Become part of the tradition of excellence that OU has established in its 130-year history.
