CAPTIONING FUNDED BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.
CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY CAPTION SERVICES OF KANSAS, LLC.
WWW.CAPTIONSERVICES.COM.

>> OVER THE NEXT HOUR WE WILL BE SHARING INFORMATION ABOUT STUDENT FINANCIAL AID FOR
COLLEGE. NOW HERE'S YOUR HOST, GWIN FALCONER LIPPERT.

"WELCOME TO THIS YEAR'S "CASH FOR COLLEGE". WE'RE SO GLAD YOU'VE JOINED US THIS EVENING TO LEARN ABOUT STUDENT FINANCIAL AID TO GO TO COLLEGE. I'M OUR HOST, GWIN
FALCONER-LIPPERT.

TONIGHT YOU WILL HEAR FROM A WIDE VARIETY OF SOURCES ABOUT THE A TO Z OF STUDENT FINANCIAL AID. YOU'LL ALSO HEAR ABOUT HOW YOU AND YOUR FAMILY CAN START PLANNING FINANCIALLY FOR COLLEGE RIGHT NOW. EVEN IF YOU ARE IN GRADE SCHOOL OR MIDDLE SCHOOL.
AND LOOK BEHIND ME HERE.

WE HAVE FINANCIAL AID EXPERTS FROM ACROSS THE STATE HERE IN THE STUDIO. THEY WOULD LOVE TO TAKE YOUR INDIVIDUAL QUESTIONS ABOUT STUDENT FINANCIAL AID TONIGHT DURING THIS HOUR-LONG BROADCAST. THE NUMBER TO CALL IS 1-800-868-1840.

THE NUMBER IS AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN. SO TAKE OUT YOUR PENCIL, WRITE
IT DOWN AND PREPARE TO ASK YOUR QUESTIONS. AFTER TONIGHT YOU CAN STILL CALL
THIS NUMBER TO GET INFORMATION ABOUT FINANCIAL AID BECAUSE IT IS A PERMANENT NUMBER PROVIDED BY THE OKLAHOMA STATE REGENTS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION.

HAVING THE TOOLS YOU NEED TO GO TO COLLEGE ARE VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE FURTHERING YOUR EDUCATION IS VERY IMPORTANT. HERE IS CHANCELLOR FOR THE OKLAHOMA STATE REGENTS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION, DR. PAUL RISSER TO TELL YOU MORE.

>> LET ME ALSO WELCOME YOU TO"CASH FOR COLLEGE" TONIGHT. I THINK YOU'LL FIND THIS PROGRAM TO BE INTERESTING AND FUN. AND YOU'LL HAVE LOTS OF INFORMATION. YOU'LL GET INFORMATION TONIGHT. YOU'LL ALSO FIND OUT HOW TO FIND INFORMATION AFTER TONIGHT.
AND THE LESSON TONIGHT REALLY IS YOU, TOO, CAN GO TO COLLEGE.

I THINK MANY TIMES IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S A DIFFICULT CHALLENGE, PERHAPS ONE CAN'T FIND THE MONEY. WHAT WE'RE GOING TO SHOW YOU TONIGHT IS THAT THERE ARE LOTS OF WAYS FOR FINDING FINANCING TO GO TO COLLEGE. AND GOING TO COLLEGE BECOMES MORE IMPORTANT EVERY SINGLE DAY. IT GIVES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A PERSON TO UNDERSTAND THE WORLD MORE DEEPLY AND IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT FOR EARNING MONEY FOR ONE'S FAMILY AND ONE'S
COMMUNITY.

WE KNOW FOR EXAMPLE THAT ON THE AVERAGE A COLLEGE GRADUATE OVER THE LIFETIME OF THAT PERSON WILL EARN A MILLION DOLLARS MORE THAN SOMEONE WITH A HIGH SCHOOL
DIPLOMA. SO I WANT TO ENCOURAGE TO YOU THINK HARD ABOUT COLLEGE AND TO
RECOGNIZE THAT TONIGHT YOU'LL FIND OUT LOTS OF WAYS THAT WILL MAKE THAT MUCH MORE ACCESSIBLE AND MUCH MORE AVAILABLE TO YOU. AND SO I WANT TO WISH YOU THE
BEST AND ENCOURAGE YOU TO LISTEN CAREFULLY TONIGHT AND WORK TOWARD GOING TO COLLEGE.

THANK YOU.

>> THIS IS "CASH FOR COLLEGE". AND THE NUMBER TO CALL, 1-800-858-1840. AS YOU CAN SEE OUR VOLUNTEERS ARE HERE AND THEY'RE VERY BUSY. DON'T GET I'M PATIENT. JUST WAIT A COUPLE MINUTES AND CALL RIGHT BACK. NOW, LET'S CHECK IN WITH OUR PHONE BANK. I'VE GOT MY FIRST VOLUNTEER HERE. TELL ME WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT SCHOOL YOU'RE REPRESENTING.

>> I'M ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL AID AT OKLAHOMA CITY UNIVERSITY.
>> THANK YOU FOR COMING TONIGHT. TELL ME ABOUT THE CALLS THAT YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING TO GET AND WHAT YOU'RE PREPARED TO ANSWER.
>> ONE OF THE MOST COMMON QUESTIONS THAT WE GET IS HOW DO YOU DETERMINE FINANCIAL AID ELIGIBILITY. FINANCIAL AID ELIGIBILITY IS DETERMINED BY THE SCHOOL. THEY FIRST TAKE TUITION AND FEES, ROOM AND BOARD AND BOOK EXPENSES AND THAT'S HOW THEY DETERMINE A COST OF ATTENDANCE. FROM THE FASFA, YOU GET THE EXPECTED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION NUMBER. YOU TAKE THOSE TWO AND MINUS THE EXPECTED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION NUMBER AND THAT GIVES YOU THE NEED. AND FROM THAT YOU AWARD SCHOLARSHIPS, GRANTS, WORK STUDY
PROGRAMS AND STUDENT LOANS.
>> SO THERE'S NO MAGIC NUMBER. IF I MAKE SUCH AND SUCH AMOUNT OF MONEY. YOU DON'T REALLY KNOW THAT UNTIL YOU FILL IT OUT; RIGHT?
>> THERE'S NO MAGIC NUMBER. HAVE YOU TO DO THE FASFA AND THAT GOES OFF OF USUALLY THE PREVIOUS YEAR'S TAX RETURNS AND A LOT OF INFORMATION IS ADDED FROM INCOME ASSETS. THEY DON'T TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION DEBT. THERE'S NOT A MAGIC NUMBER.
>> SO WHEN YOU'RE ON CAMPUS DO YOU ANSWER ALL THESE SAME QUESTIONS?
>> YES, DO I. I DO SEVERAL FINANCIAL AID PRESENTATIONS WEEKLY AND DO THEM FOR ROTARY CLUBS, SCHOOLS, HIGH SCHOOLS, ANYBODY THAT ASKS I'M VERY EAGER TO HELP IN ANY WAY.
>> WE APPRECIATE YOU COMING. WHAT SHOULD I THINK TO ASK YOU THAT MAYBE I HAVEN'T THOUGHT OF YET?
>> I ALWAYS SUGGEST THAT STUDENTS KEEP ASKING. THEY GO TO THE FINANCIAL AID OFFICE.
THEY TRY TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE COUNSELORS AND THEY JUST ASK THE QUESTIONS. NO QUESTION IS A DUMB QUESTION AND ALWAYS ASK.
>> IT DOESN'T REALLY MATTER HOW OLD YOU ARE. CAN YOU STILL GET FINANCIAL AID?
>> YES. AS A U.S. CITIZEN IT'S YOUR RIGHT TO RECEIVE FINANCIAL AID. IT'S ALL DETERMINED OFF THE FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID THERE'S NO AGE LIMIT AT ALL.
>> I THINK I HEAR PHONES RINGING. LET ME THINK IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER -- IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU'RE COMING STRAIGHT FROM HIGH SCHOOL OR IF YOU'RE TRANSFERRING?
>> THAT DOES NOT MATTER. I DO HAVE TO MAKE A CORRECTION TO WHAT I SAID. YOU DO HAVE TO BE 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER. BUT IF YOU'RE 60 YEARS OLD, 80 YEARS OLD AND YOU WANT TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL, THERE'S NO PROBLEM WITH THAT.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. I LIKE THOSE 80 YEAR OLD STUDENTS. I APPRECIATE IT. WHEN WE COME BACK HERE ON "CASH FOR COLLEGE" YOU'LL HEAR FROM CORNELIA BASS OF THE UNIVERSITY
OF OKLAHOMA AND DEBRA MCENTYRE FROM TULSA COMMUNITY COLLEGE. THEY'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE TYPES OF FINANCIAL AID AVAILABLE, THE APPLICATION PROCESS AND SOME OF THE PIT FALLS YOU'RE GOING TO WANT TO AVOID.

>> DID YOU KNOW THAT OKLAHOMA OFFERS 8th, 9th AND 10th 10th GRADE STUDENTS THE
OPPORTUNITY TO EARN A SCHOLARSHIP. IT'S THE OKLAHOMA HIGHER EARNING ACCESS PROGRAM.
THE PROGRAM IS OPEN TO STUDENTS WHOSE FAMILY INCOME IS LESS THAN $50,000.
THE STUDENT PROMISES TO TAKE CERTAIN COURSES AND TO STAY OUT OF SERIOUS TROUBLE.
IN RETURN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA PROMISES A COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP. FOR DETAILS CALL THE TOLL-FREE NUMBER ON THE SCREEN OR GO TO THE STATE REGENTS WEBSITE.

>> FOR STARTERS, WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF FINANCIAL AID AVAILABLE?
>> BASICALLY THERE'S TWO TYPES OF FINANCIAL AID. THERE'S NEED BASED AID SCHOLASTIC BASED AID WHICH IS BASED ON GPA. FOR NEED BASED AID, STUDENTS COMPLETE THE FASFA.
IN USING THAT, SCHOOLS CAN DETERMINE IF THEY'RE ELIGIBLE FOR FEDERAL GRANTS, STATE
GRANTS, FEDERAL WORK STUDY OR STUDENT LOANS. SCHOLASTIC BASED AID IS BASED
ON SAT SCORES.
>> SPEAKER A: NOW, LET ME ASK YOU, CORNELIA, IS THERE AN INCOME LIMIT FOR FINANCIAL AID?
>> NO, THERE'S NOT AN INCOME LIMIT. WE ENCOURAGE ALL PARENTS AND STUDENTS TO APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID. EVERYONE QUALIFIES FOR AT LEAST A STUDENT LOAN. SO WE ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO APPLY. APPLY EARLY AND APPLY ON LINE. THAT'S REALLY THE BEST WAY TO
APPLY. THERE'S LESS CHANCE FOR ERROR WHEN YOU APPLY ON LINE.

>> SPEAKER A: HAVE YOU EVER HAD HEARD THAT QUESTION BEFORE? IERVETLE ALL THE TIME.
THAT'S MY MOST HATED QUESTION. BECAUSE WE THINK THAT DISCOURAGES PEOPLE FROM
APPLYING. THEY THINK I MAKE TOO MUCH MONEY. I'M NOT GOING TO QUALIFY FOR ANYTHING.
BUT THAT MAY NOT BE THE CASE. IT'S FREE TO APPLY. DOESN'T TAKE THAT LONG TO FILL
OUT THE APPLICATION. DOESN'T HURT ANYTHING FOR TO YOU APPLY.
>> SPEAKER A: LET ME FOLLOW UP WITH YOU. WHO DECIDES HOW MUCH MONEY YOU RECEIVE?
>> THE SCHOOL DECIDES HOW MUCH MONEY YOU RECEIVE BASED ON THE INFORMATION THAT YOU PLACE ON THE FASFA APPLICATION.
>>> SO EACH COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY DECIDES ON THE FINANCIAL AID PACKAGE?
>> YES. USING THE ESTIMATED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION THAT YOU'RE GIVING WHEN YOU FILL OUT THE FASFA APPLICATION. WE TAKE THE COST OF ATTENDANCE MINUS THE ESTIMATED FAMILY
CONTRIBUTION TO DETERMINE WHAT NEED BASED AID THAT THE STUDENT WILL BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE. IF THEY'RE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR ANY NEED BASED AID THEN WE OFFER THEM A STIPEND LOAN. OOMPTLE THERE'S A MAGIC FORM IN HERE CALLED FASFA?
>> YES.
>> AND WHERE DO WE FIND THE FASFA?
>> YOU CAN FIND IT ON THE WEB. I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO PUT THE GRAPHIC ON THE SCREEN.
THE WEBSITE FOR FASFA. OR CAN YOU DO PAPER APPLICATIONS IF YOU DON'T HAVE WEB ACCESS.
THEY ARE AVAILABLE GENERALLY IN
HIGH SCHOOL OFFICES, COLLEGE
OFFICES.
BUT WE ENCOURAGE ALL STUDENTS TO
DO IT ON THE WEB.
>> SO IF I'M LOOKING FOR
SCHOLARSHIPS, WHERE DO I START?
>> THE SCHOLARSHIP
OPPORTUNITIES, YOU CAN GET THEM
FROM THE WEB.
THERE'S MANY PLACES -- WEB SITES
THAT YOU CAN GO TO FOR
SCHOLARSHIPS.
CAN YOU GO TO THE INDIVIDUAL
COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES FOR
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES.
>> I WAS CONTACTED BY SOMEONE
THAT TOLD ME IF I PAID THEM
$100 AND SEND ME A BOOK I WOULD
BE GUARANTEED A SCHOLARSHIP.
IS THAT A SCAM?
>> WELL, I'M NOT -- I CAN'T SAY
THAT THAT ONE WAS A SCAM IN
PARTICULAR.
BUT IF THEY GUARANTEE THAT YOUR
SON OR DAUGHTER WILL EE RECEIVE
A SCHOLARSHIP FOR $100, I WOULD
BE VERY CAUTIOUS.
SO MANY SCHOLARSHIP
OPPORTUNITIES ARE FREE.
THERE'S NO REASON TO PAY FOR IT.
CAN YOU GO ON THE WEB.
ANY STUDENT CAN GO ON THE WEB
AND SEARCH FOR SCHOLARSHIPS.
THEY JUST NEED TO FIND SOMETHING
UNIQUE ABOUT THEMSELVES.
AND THERE'S MANY OPPORTUNITIES
FOR SCHOLARSHIPS.
>> YOU SAID UNIQUE ABOUT
THEMSELVES.
WHAT ARE YOU ALLUDING TO THERE?
>> WELL, EACH STUDENT HAS THEIR
OWN UNIQUE QUALITIES AND
TALENTS.
MAYBE THEY'RE IN MUSIC.
MAYBE NURSING MAJOR OR SOME
OTHER MAJOR THAT THEY'RE
SEEKING.
MANY, MANY SCHOLARSHIPS OUT
THERE WANT SOMETHING UNIQUE
ABOUT THEM.
YOU NEED TO LOWER THE NUMBER OF
PEOPLE THAT THEY'RE COMPETING
AGAINST FOR THE SCHOLARSHIPS BY
FINDING UNIQUE QUALITIES ABOUT
THEMSELVES.
>> ONE OF THE THINGS I ALWAYS
LOVE ABOUT INTERVIEWING YOU ALL
IS THAT YOU'RE SO EXCITED ABOUT
FINANCIAL AID AND SO
ENCOURAGING.
SO CORNELIA WHAT ELSE SHOULD YOU
TELL ME THAT WILL ENCOURAGE ME
TO FILL OUT THAT FASFA ON LINE
AND REALLY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF
SCHOLARSHIP MONEY?
>> WELL, SOMETHING ELSE ALONG
THE LINES OF SCAMS IS YOU MAY
ALSO HAVE PEOPLE THAT ARE
OFFERING FOR A FEE TO FILL OUT
THE APPLICATION FOR YOU.
WE AT SCHOOLS REALLY DON'T
ENCOURAGE YOU TO PAY ANYONE TO
FILL OUT YOUR FASFA APPLICATION
FOR YOU.
THAT'S WHY IT'S CALLED THE FREE
APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT
AID.
IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE YOUR BEST
BET WOULD BE TO CALL THE COLLEGE
YOU'RE PLANNING ON ATTENDING OR
CHECK AND SEE IF THERE'S
WORKSHOPS AVAILABLE IN YOUR
AREA.
THROUGHOUT THE YEAR THE
FINANCIAL AID OFFICES DO
WORKSHOPS FOR FREE.
THEY COME AND TALK ABOUT
FINANCIAL AID AND THEY'LL ALSO
SIT DOWN WITH YOU AND HELP YOU
FILL OUT YOUR APPLICATION.
GREAT INFORMATION.
WE'RE OFF TO A GREAT START'.
THANK YOU BOTH.
>> EDUCATION TO ME MEANS SELF
DPRAT IF I OCCASION.
SOMETHING THAT YOU DO FOR
YOURSELF ONLY FOR YOU.
YOU SEPARATE IT FROM EARNING AN
INCOME, STATUS.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU DO FOR
THAT SELF GRATIFICATION THAT
ONLY YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS TO
YOU.
COLLEGE WAS SOMETHING THAT I WAS
A LITTLE WORRIED ABOUT.
I HAVE TO ADMIT SOMETHING THAT
KEPT ME AWAY FROM APPLYING FOR
COLLEGE EARLIER.
ANY TIPS THAT I WOULD OFFER IS
TIE TO MEET YOUR DEADLINES
BEFORE.
TRY TO READ UP ON IT.
THERE'S A WHOLE LOT OF
INFORMATION IN THE FINANCIAL AID
OFFICE THAT WILL HELP YOU
NAVIGATE.
CAN YOU APPLY ON LINE AND THAT'S
SOMETHING THAT IS A LOT QUICKER
THAN APPLYING THROUGHOUT MAIL.
I WOULD GIVE ANY STUDENT THAT
TIP, TO APPLY ON LINE FOR
FINANCIAL AID.
IT WILL SAVE YOU A WHOLE LOT OF
TIME.
IF YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT GOING
BACK TO SCHOOL, TRUST YOURSELF.
DEFINITELY DO IT FOR YOU.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU DO FOR
YOURSELF, FOR NOBODY ELSE.
EDUCATION IS SOMETHING THAT NO
ONE CAN TAKE FROM YOU.
ONCE YOU START, I PROMISE YOU,
IT IS A GOOD SELF GRATIFYING
FEELING.
IT'S FUN.
YOU'RE NEVER TOO OLD TO GO BACK
TO SCHOOL.
AND YOU CAN LEARN.
AND IT'S AN ADVENTURE.
IT'S DEFINITELY A JOURNEY, BUT
IT'S SOMETHING THAT HAS GREAT
REWARDS AT THE END.
>> THOSE WERE SOME VERY WISE
WORDS.
WELCOME BACK TO CATCH FOR
COLLEGE.
OUR PHONE BANK VOLUNTEERS ARE
GETTING LOTS OF CALLS.
THE NUMBER IS ON THE BOTTOM OF
THE SCREEN.
>>?
IT'S THERE ON THE BOTTOM OF THE
SCREEN ANY TIME YOU SEE THE
NUMBER, PLEASE CALL.
IF YOU CAN'T GET THROUGH, JUST
RELAX.
TRY AGAIN.
BUT REMEMBER, GUESS WHAT, YOU
CAN CALL THIS SAME NUMBER
TOMORROW, TOO.
SO, PLEASE, TRY IT.
UP NEXT WE MEET A COUPLE OF
ADULT STUDENTS WHO MADE THE
DECISION TO RETURN TO SCHOOL.
LET'S DISCOVER HOW THEY MADE
THEIR DECISIONS AND WHAT THIS
HAS MEANT FOR THEM.
>> WE HAVE MATTHEW AND SHEILA
WITH US TODAY.
WOULD I LIKE TO ASK MATTHEW THE
FIRST QUESTION.
MATTHEW, WHAT CAUSED YOU TO WANT
TO RETURN TO COLLEGE?
>> I HAD ALWAYS WANTED TO GO TO
COLLEGE RIGHT OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL
I HAD A DAUGHTER AND SO I HAD TO
GO INTO THE WORK FORCE
IMMEDIATELY TO EARN AN INCOME.
I GOT TO A POINT WHERE MY
SUPPORT SYSTEM WAS KIND OF IN
PLACE AND I MET MY FIANCE AND
SHE WAS ABLE TO BETWEEN THE TWO
OF US WE WERE ABLE TO EARN
PART-TIME INCOME TO TAKE CARE OF
THE FAMILY.
SO SHE ENABLED ME TO GO BACK TO
SCHOOL.
SO I TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY AND I
WENT.
>> SHEILA, WHAT WORRIES DID YOU
HAVE AS YOU THOUGHT ABOUT
RETURNING TO SCHOOL AND WHAT
KINDS OF THINGS DID YOU HAVE TO
OVERCOME?
>> NIE NUMBER ONE WORRY WAS HOW
I WAS GOING TO AFFORD GOING TO
SCHOOL AND LIVING, BASICALLY.
AND ALL OF THE INCOME FROM MY
HOUSEHOLD DEPENDED ON ME.
SO TO GO FROM WORKING FULL-TIME
TO BEING A STUDENT FULL-TIME AND
NOT SURE WHERE THAT INCOME CAME
FROM, THAT WAS THE BIGGEST FEAR.
HUGE.
THE OTHER STUFF I HAD -- I HAD
KIND OF GOING PART-TIME A FEW
YEARS BACK, I HAD KIND OF
OVERCOME THE FEAR OF THE
CLASSROOM AND BEING AN ADULT
STUDENT.
BUT GOING BACK FULL-TIME, IT WAS
FINANCIAL.
>> MATTHEW, IF YOU WERE GOING TO
ENCOURAGE A FRIEND TO GO BACK TO
SCHOOL, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO
THEM?
>> WELL, I WOULD POINT OUT THAT
THE ABILITY TO MAKE MOREOVER A
PERIOD OF TIME WITH AN
EDUCATION.
I WOULD SHOW THEM THE TYPES OF
JOB THEY COULD GET.
REALLY YOU JUST HAVE TO ASK THEM
WHAT THEIR INTERESTS ARE.
MOST PEOPLE THAT I'VE TALKED TO,
THEY'RE NOT WORKING IN AN AREA
THAT INTERESTS THEM.
AND THE REASON WHY THEY'RE NOT
WORKING IN AN AREA THAT
INTERESTS THEM IS BECAUSE THEY
DON'T HAVE THE EDUCATION TO
PURSUE THAT.
I THINK IF I WERE TO CONVINCE
SOMEBODY TO COME BACK TO SCHOOL
I WOULD SHOW THEM THE REWARDS OF
THE INITIAL SACRIFICE.
>> SHEILA, IF YOU WERE GOING TO
ENCOURAGE A FRIEND TO GO BACK TO
SCHOOL, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO
THEM TO ENCOURAGE THEM >> I'VE
ACTUALLY HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE
TALK TO ME ABOUT GOING BACK TO
SCHOOL AS AN ADULT.
YOU KNOW, THEY'VE HAD KIDS OR
WHATEVER.
AND I TELL THEM, YOU KNOW, ONE,
YOU'RE NEVER GOING TO GET
FINISHED IF YOU DON'T EVER
START.
AND IT'S JUST -- IT'S SOMETHING
THAT ONCE YOU GET IN THERE AND
YOU OVERCOME ANY OF THOSE FIERCE
THAT YOU HAVE, YOU'LL FIND OUT
THAT IT'S REALLY REWARDING AND
IT'S A LOT OF FUN.
>> MATTHEW, WHAT ARE SOME TIPS
THAT YOU WOULD OFFER TO SOMEONE
RETURNING TO SCHOOL?
>> WELL, FIRST THING IS NOT TO
TRY TO DO EVERYTHING AT ONCE.
PACE YOURSELF.
I KNOW PERSONALLY WHEN I GOT IN,
I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO GET IN
AND NOT GET OUT IN TWO OR THREE
YEARS.
COY DO IT FASTER THAN ALL THESE
YOUNGER KIDS COULD BECAUSE HI
EXPERIENCE.
AND I WAS WRONG.
TAKE NO MORE THAN 12 HOURS YOUR
FIRST SEMESTER.
KIND OF GET A FEEL FOR THINGS.
TALK WITH YOUR POA IF HE ISORS
WHEN YOU DO GET IN SCHOOL.
MAKE SURE YOU KEEP THOSE LINES
OF COMMUNICATION OPEN.
IF YOU HAVE ANY PROBLEMS, DON'T
THINK THAT THERE'S NOT GOING TO
BE ANYBODY THERE TO HELP YOU.
THERE'S A LOT OF SUPPORT SYSTEM
HERE ON CAMPUS WITH STUDENT
ORGANIZATIONS AND WITH FACULTY.
AND THE FACULTY REALIZES THAT
ADULTS COMING BACK TO SCHOOL
HAVE A DIFFERENT SET OF
PRIORITIES AND NEEDS THANK THE
YOUNGER STUDENTS DO.
AND THEY'RE WILLING TO WORK WITH
YOU.
SO BASICALLY JUST BE OPEN TO THE
CHANGE, BUT ALSO DON'T THINK
THAT YOU HAVE TO DO IT BY
YOURSELF.
THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE THERE TO
HELP YOU.
>> SHEILA, WHAT ARE SOME TIPS
THAT YOU WOULD OFFER TO SOMEBODY
AS THEY WERE MAKING ADJUSTMENTS
IN RETURNING TO SCHOOL?
>> I WOULD SAY CHECK -- MAKE
SURE THAT YOU'RE ALWAYS SURE
WHAT YOUR DEADLINES ARE.
FINANCIAL AID DEADLINES.
LIST DEADLINES FOR ENTERING
CLASS.
STUFF LIKE THAT.
BECAUSE IF YOU LET THOSE PASS
YOU, THEN IT'S A LOT EASIER TO
KEEP UP ON THEM.
AND SAME THING MATT SAID.
KEEP COMMUNICATION LINES OPEN.
I MEAN THE ADVISORS ARE THERE TO
HELP YOU.
IT'S AMAZING HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE
THERE TO ENCOURAGE YOU AND
SUPPORT YOU THAN WHAT YOU MAY
HAVE THOUGHT WOULD BE THERE, YOU
KNOW, WHEN YOU'RE MAKING THAT
TRANSITION.
>> THIS IS "CASH FOR COLLEGE".
THE PHONE NUMBER HERE IS:
>> ONE
THING WE WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU
KNOW IS THAT FINANCIAL AID IS
AVAILABLE FOR ADULTS RETURNING
TO SCHOOL AS WELL AS FOR
STUDENTS COMING DIRECTLY FROM
HIGH SCHOOL.
LET'S CHECK WIN OUR PHONE BANK
AGAIN AND SEE WHAT WE'RE TALKING
ABOUT TONIGHT.
LET'S SEE IF CAN I GET MY
VOLUNTEER RIGHT HERE.
EXCUSE ME.
WAVE AT THIS PERSON AT HOME SO
THEY'LL KNOW.
WHO ARE YOU AND WHERE ARE YOU
FROM?
>> SHEILA FEW GET FROM THE
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA.
>> SHEILA, WHAT ARE YOU TALKING
ABOUT?
>> WE'RE TALKING TO A STUDENT
WHO SAYS THAT THEY HAVE GOTTEN
INFORMATION THAT THERE IS A
CHARGE TO APPLY FOR A FEDERAL
UNT STUDENT AID AND I'M ASSURING
THEM THAT THE APPLICATION
PROCESS IS FREE.
SO IF ANYBODY TELLS THAT YOU
THERE IS A CHARGE FOR APPLYING
FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID, DON'T
BELIEVE IT.
THE PROCESS IS ABSOLUTELY FREE.
THE ACRONYM STANDS FOR FREE
APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT
AID.
SO IT'S ABSOLUTELY FREE.
>> SO THIS WAS A GOOD NIGHT FOR
THEM TO BE WATCHING AND CALLING,
ISN'T IT?
WHAT ELSE HAVE YOU BEEN TALKING
ABOUT WITH EARLIER CALLS?
>> BEEN TALKING TO STUDENTS
CURRENTLY IN SCHOOL WANTING TO
KNOW IF THEY CAN POSSIBLY DEFER
THEIR LOANS AS THEY GO ON TO
OTHER PROGRAMS.
TALKING TO PARENTS WHO WANT TO
KNOW IS THERE ANYTHING THEY NEED
TO DO NOW TO ENSURE THE
ELIGIBILITY FOR NEXT YEAR.
TALKING TO PARENTS WHO WANT TO
KNOW IF THEY DON'T CLAIM THEIR
CHILDREN ON THEIR TAX RETURN CAN
THE STUDENT FILE AS INDEPENDENT.
CAN'T DO IT.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SAYS AS LONG
AS THEY'RE UNDER 24 YOU MAY AS
WELL GO AHEAD AND CLAIM THEM
BECAUSE THEY'VE GOT TO BE
CONSIDERED A DEPENDENT STUDENT.
A LOT OF THOSE TYPE QUESTIONS.
>> REALLY SOME SPECIFIC
QUESTIONS.
>> OH, YEAH.
OH, YEAH.
>> SPEAKER A: >> ANY GENERAL
QUESTIONS -- I MEAN ANSWERS YOU
CAN TOSS.
>> WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO GET
MORE MONEY.
I TOLD THEM LISTEN IN TO THE
PROGRAM TONIGHT.
TAKE IT ALL IN.
AND CONTACT THE FINANCIAL AID
OFFICES.
I'M SURE WE CAN HELP THEM.
>> IT DOESN'T REALLY MATTER WHAT
INSTITUTION THAT MUCH.
THE INFORMATION IS THE SAME
PRETTY MUCH ACROSS THE STATE,
ISN'T IT?
>> APPLICABLE NO MATTER WHERE
THEY'RE GOING.
>> I'M SURE THIS PERSON WOULD
LIKE FOR YOU TO GO BACK AND TALK
TO THEM.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.
AND AS CAN YOU SEE WE'RE VERY
BUSY.
BUT THERE IS A PHONE NUMBER HERE
ON THE SCREEN.
LET ME REMIND YOU.
YOU CAN CALL IT NOW.
CAN YOU CALL IT TOMORROW.
CAN YOU CALL IT NEXT WEEK AND
YOU WILL GET THE INFORMATION YOU
WANT.
WHEN WE COME BACK, TWO FINANCIAL
AID DIRECTORS ARE GOING TO TELL
US SOME IMPORTANT INFORMATION
THAT HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS,
SENIORS AND TRANSFER STUDENTS
WILL FIND HELPFUL.
>> AT AT THE OKLAHOMA STIT AIR
LOGISTICS CENTER, TINKER AIR
FORCE BASE WE USE OVER 200
SKILLS TO SUPPORT THE NATION'S
DEFENSE.
IN THE YEAR 2000 WE REALIZED
THAT WE HAD A LARGE NUMBER OF
EMPLOYEES BECOMING ELIGIBLE FOR
RETIREMENT WITHIN THE NEXT 5 TO
10 YEARS.
WHAT WE DID IS WE PARTNERED WITH
THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM OF
OKLAHOMA.
THAT INCLUDES COLLEGES,
UNIVERSITIES, TECHNOLOGY CENTERS
AND AN AWARENESS PROGRAM IN JOB
SHADOWING PROGRAM EVEN IN THE
HIGH SCHOOL.
ALL IN ALL WE HAVE HIRED ALMOST
600 INTERNS WITHIN THE LAST 3
YEARS WHO WE PROJECT WILL GO ON
TO FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT WITH
TINKER.
ALL THE EDUCATORS, COLLEGE
LEVEL, TECHNOLOGY CENTER LEVEL
MAKE IT A POINT TO COME TO
TINKER, TOUR THE AREAS, THEIR
EMPLOYEES WILL ACTUALLY BE
WORKING AND GAIN KNOWLEDGE OF
THOSE SPECIFIC SKILLS TO IN
INCORPORATE INTO THE CLASSROOM.
OVER 900 EMPLOYEES HAVE CLOSEN
TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL ON THEIR
OWN TIME USING THE CIVILIAN
TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TO
HELP THEM USE NOT ONLY THE
PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE THEY'VE
GAINED, AT # ADDED WITH
EDUCATION TO QUALIFY FOR HIGHER
JOBS.
>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE HIGH
SCHOOL TO COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID
PROCESS.
IF I'M A JUNIOR RIGHT NOW, WHAT
DO I NEED TO BE TAKING CARE OF?
>> THERE ARE A FEW THINGS THAT
YOU COULD BE WORKING ON AS A
JUNIOR.
YOU NEED TO TAKE YOUR ACT OR SAT
SCORE TO ESTABLISH A BASELINE
THERE THAT COULD HELP YOU WITH
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR ACADEMICS.
AS WELL IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR YOU
TO BEGIN TO VISIT YOUR COLLEGES,
TO GO ON SITE.
AND I RECOMMEND DOING THAT WHEN
YOU'RE -- WHEN IT'S NOT
NECESSARILY A VISITATION DAY OR
A MASS DAY.
GO ON A NORMAL COLLEGE DAY AND
ACTUALLY SIT IN CLASSES AND TRY
AND NARROW YOUR CHOICES DOWN TO
THE FEW TOP SCHOOLS THAT YOU
WANT TO BE INVOLVED IN.
NOW IS ALSO A GOOD TIME TO BE
LOOKING AT OUTSIDE SCHOLARSHIPS
AND TO BE QUIZZING YOUR GUIDANCE
COUNSELOR AS TO SCHOLARSHIPS YOU
CAN APPLY FOR IN YOUR SENIOR
YEAR.
PROBABLY MOST IMPORTANTLY IS TO
CONTINUE TO TAKE CLASSES THAT
WILL CHALLENGE YOU TO PREPARE
YOU FOR YOUR FRESHMAN YEAR IN
COLLEGE.
>> THAT'S A GOOD POINT.
BUT THAT SOUNDS LIKE A LOT OF
FUN TO DO THE CAMPUS VISITS.
WHEN SHOULD I APPLY FOR
FINANCIAL AID?
>> YOU NORMALLY ARE GOING TO
APPLY IN THE JANUARY BEFORE
YOU'RE GOING TO GO.
FOR EXAMPLE RIGHT NOW MOST OF
THE STUDENTS THAT WILL BE
STARTING THIS NEXT FALL ARE
STARTING TO FILL OUT THE FREE
APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT
AID OR THE FASFA.
YEAH, THE FAMOUS FASFA.
IT'S ALSO GOOD TO CONTACT YOUR
SCHOOL BECAUSE SOME SCHOOLS DO
HAVE INSTITUTIONAL FINANCIAL AID
FORMS THAT THEY USE ON THEIR
CAMPUS.
ALSO, SOME USE SELECTION FROM
JUNIOR YEAR EVENTS TO HELP YOU
WITH SCHOLARSHIPS AND OTHER
THINGS.
AND IT'S JUST GOOD TO GET ON THE
MAILING LIST THROUGH THE
ADMISSIONS OFFICE TO BE ABLE TO
GET THOSE KINDS OF MAILINGS
STARTED YOUR WAY.
>> I'M NOT REAL CLEAR ABOUT THE
JUNIOR YEAR EVENTS.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT?
>> BY THAT I MEAN SOMETIMES NAIA
SCHOOLS CAN CONSIDER YOU FOR
ADMISSION IN YOUR JUNIOR YEAR
USING YOUR 6 OR 7 SMES TR
TRANSCRIPTS IF YOU ENROLL INTO
YOUR SENIOR YEAR.
IT ALSO HELPS YOU TO BE ABLE TO
IDENTIFY WITH A GIVEN CAMPUS
WHICH PEOPLE ON THAT CAMPUS,
WHERE YOU KNOW THEIR NAMES,
THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES AND WAYS
THAT THEY MAY BE ABLE TO HELP
YOU.
IERVETLE AS A JUNIOR, JANUARY,
FEBRUARY, MARCH ARE THOSE THE
MAGIC MONTHS?
>> THEY ARE KIND OF THE MAGIC
MONTHS.
IN FACT A JUNIOR CAN GO AHEAD
AND FILL OUT THE FREE
APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT
AID EVEN THOUGH THEY MAY NOT BE
GOING TO COLLEGE UNTIL AFTER
THEIR SENIOR YEAR.
JUST TO GET AN EXAMPLE AND TO
SEE WHAT AN EXPERIENCE OF
FILLING THOSE FORMS IS LIKE.
ALSO IT WILL KIND OF HELP THEM
TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE ESTIMATED
FAMILY INCOME IS OR EFC FIGURE
THAT THEY'LL GET FROM FILLING
THAT OUT.
>> SO NOW WE HAVE THEM IN
COLLEGE AND THEY'RE SOPHOMORES
GOING TO BE JUNIORS IN COLLEGE
AND MAYBE THEY'RE TRANSFERRING
FROM INSTITUTION TO INSTITUTION.
LARRY, TELL US ABOUT THAT.
BECAUSE I DON'T THINK WE'VE
DISCUSSED THAT IN THE PAST.
>> OKAY, GWIN.
UNLIKE WHAT MOST PEOPLE IMAGINE,
FINANCIAL AID TECHNICALLY DOES
NOT TRANSFER FROM ONE SCHOOL TO
ANOTHER.
STUDENT HAS TO ESTABLISH
ELIGIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL AID AT
THE SECOND SCHOOL JUST LIKE THEY
ESTABLISHED ELIGIBILITY AT THE
FIRST SCHOOL.
SO IT -- THE TIMING WILL DICTATE
TO A LARGE DEGREE ON WHAT
PAPERWORK IS GOING TO BE
NECESSARY FOR A STUDENT TO
COMPLETE IN THE TRANSFER
PROCESS.
>> DOES THAT MEAN THE FASFA FORM
NEEDS TO BE FILLED OUT AT EACH
SCHOOL?
>> WELL, AGAIN, IT LETS -- LET'S
TAKE SOME SPECIFICS ON
TRANSFERRING THAT WILL HELP
CLARIFY WHEN A NEW FASFA MIGHT
BE REQUIRED.
IF A STUDENT'S GOING TO TRANSFER
WITHIN AN ACADEMIC YEAR, SAY,
THEY FINISH ONE SCHOOL IN THE
FALL AND THEY'RE GOING TO
ANOTHER SCHOOL DURING THE SPRING
SEMESTER, THEY ALREADY HAVE
SUBMITTED THEIR FASFA DATA AND
IT'S IN A DATABASE THAT ALREADY
EXISTS.
SO WHEN THEY TRANSFER TO THAT
SECOND SCHOOL, THEY DON'T HAVE
TO FILL OUT A BRAND NEW FASFA.
THEY'RE SIMPLY GOING TO NEED TO
CONTACT THE SECOND SCHOOL TO SEE
IF THAT SCHOOL HAS RECEIVED
THEIR FASFA DATA AND IF NOT,
THAT SCHOOL WILL HELP THEM GO
THROUGH THE PROCESS OF GETTING
THE FASFA DATA SENT TO THE
SECOND SCHOOL.
NOW IF THE STUDENT IS
TRANSFERRING FROM ONE ACADEMIC
YEAR TO THE OTHER, MEANING
THEY'RE FINISHED IN THE SPRING
SEMESTER AT ONE SCHOOL, THEN
THEY'RE GOING TO GO THE FALL
SEMESTER AT A NEW SCHOOL, THEY
WILL FILL OUT A BRAND NEW FASFA
FOR THAT NEW ACADEMIC YEAR.
>> : SO THE MAGIC WORD IS
ACADEMIC YEAR.
NOT NECESSARILY CALENDAR YEAR.
>> THAT'S CORRECT.
YES.
>> HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO FILL
THIS OUT?
>> IF IT IS THE CASE WHERE THE
STUDENT IS TRANSFERRING WITHIN
AN ACADEMIC YEAR AND THAT DATA
ALREADY EXISTS, THE TRANSFER
PROCESS WILL BE A LITTLE -- A
LITTLE SIMPLER AND IT MIGHT TAKE
2 OR 3 WEEKS TO GET ALL OF THAT
TAKEN CARE OF.
IF THE SCHOOL NEEDS SOME
ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION, THE
SECOND SCHOOL FOR EXAMPLE, NEEDS
MORE PAPERWORK OR SOME
ADDITIONAL PAPERWORK THAN THE
FIRST SCHOOL REQUIRED, THEN IT
MIGHT TAKE A LITTLE BIT LONGER
FOR THAT PROCESS TO TAKE PLACE.
>> WILL THEY RECEIVE THE SAME
FINANCIAL AID AT EACH SCHOOL?
>> NOT NECESSARILY.
BECAUSE THERE ARE SEVERAL
VARIABLES THAT ARE DICTATING
WHAT ELIGIBILITY THE STUDENT HAS
FOR THE VARIOUS FINANCIAL AID
PROGRAMS.
IF THE SECOND SCHOOL COSTS MORE
THAN THE FIRST SCHOOL, THEN THE
FINANCIAL AID OFFER FROM THAT
SECOND SCHOOL VERY LIKELY WILL
BE DIFFERENT FROM THE FIRST
SCHOOL.
AND THE TIMING ISSUE.
THERE COULD BE SOME AID PROGRAMS
THAT THE STUDENT BENEFITTED FROM
AT SCHOOL NUMBER ONE WHERE THOSE
AID PROGRAMS ARE ALREADY
EXPENDED WHEN THEY'RE GETTING
READY TO TRANSFER TO SCHOOL
NUMBER 2.
AND SO THEY DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO
SOME OF THE SAME PROGRAMS.
SO AS A RESULT, THE FINANCE AM
AID NOT REALLY TRANSFERRING FROM
ONE SCHOOL TO THE NEXT IN
REALITY, THE FINANCIAL AID
AWARDS COULD BE QUITE DIFFERENT
FROM ONE SCHOOL TO ANOTHER.
>> WHAT ABOUT THE GRADES AT ONE
SCHOOL?
DOES IT AFFECT THE ELIGIBILITY
OF ANOTHER SCHOOL?
>> IT VERY WELL CAN.
GRADES ARE PART OF THE
ELIGIBILITY PROCESS IN
DETERMINING WHAT FUND THE
STUDENT MIGHT BE ABLE TO
RECEIVE.
BUT EACH SCHOOL, THE FINANCIAL
AID OFFICE AT EACH SCHOOL HAS
THEIR OWN SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC
PROGRESS POLICY.
AND THE POLICIES MAY BE A LITTLE
BIT DIFFERENT FROM ONE SCHOOL TO
ANOTHER.
FOR EXAMPLE, ONE SCHOOL MIGHT
LOOK AT TRANSFER GRADES AND SAY,
WOW, YOU DIDN'T DO VERY WELL.
YOU'RE GOING TO NEED TO GO A
SEMESTER HERE ON YOUR OWN AND
SHOW US IN GOOD FAITH YOUR
COLLEGE MATERIAL AT OUR SCHOOL.
THAT YOU CAN MAKE IT AT OUR
SCHOOL.
AND THEN IF YOU DO WELL FOR THAT
SEMESTER WE'LL GIVE YOU
FINANCIAL AID FOR THE NEXT
SEMESTER.
ANOTHER SCHOOL MAY LOOK AT THOSE
TRANSFER GRADES AND SAY WELL WE
SEE THAT YOU DIDN'T DO WELL, BUT
WE'RE GOING TO GIVE YOU
FINANCIAL AID YOUR FIRST
SEMESTER HERE ON A CONDITIONAL
BASIS JUST TO SEE HOW YOU'RE
GOING TO DO.
AND THEN AT THE END OF THE
SEMESTER IF YOU'VE DONE WELL YOU
CONTINUE RECEIVING AID.
IF YOU DON'T, THEN WE'LL CUT YOU
OFF AT THAT POINT.
>> SOIN THE CASE OF STUDENT
LOANS, DO THEY CHANGE LENDERS
WHEN THEY CHANGE SCHOOLS?
>> PROBABLY NOT.
MOST SCHOOLS TRY TO HELP
STUDENTS KEEP THE SAME LENDER
ALL THROUGH THE EDUCATIONAL
PROCESS SO THEY'RE NOT BORROWING
FROM SEVERAL DIFFERENT LENDERS
AT THE SAME TIME.
SO WE TRY TO FIND OUT WHAT
LENDER THE STUDENT IS USING.
AND THEN IF A STUDENT HASSLE
JIBILITY FOR A LOAN AT THE
SECOND SCHOOL, WE'LL USE THAT
SAME LENDER FOR THE STUDENT.
>> GOOD INFORMATION.
BEFORE I CAN REALIZE THE PROCESS
I NEED TO UNDERSTAND IT.
THANK YOU BOTH VERY MUCH.
>> YOU'RE WELCOME.
THANK YOU.
>> THIS IS "CASH FOR COLLEGE".
THE NUMBER TO CALL:
AND OUR VOLUNTEERS ARE HAPPY TO
TAKE YOUR CALLS ABOUT FINANCIAL
AID FOR COLLEGE.
WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THE OKLAHOMA
HIGHER ED LEARNING ACCESS
PROGRAM OCHG CALLED OHLAP.
NOW LET'S HEAR FROM TWO OH
HAPPEN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND
THEIR GUIDANCE COUNSELOR.
THESE OHLAP STUDENTS ARE
PREPARING FOR COLLEGE.
>> TELL US ABOUT THE TIME WHEN
YOU SIGNED UP FOR OHLAP.
HOW DID THAT WORK?
>> I SIGNED UP FOR OHLAP WHEN I
WAS IN THE TENTH GRADE.
AND I JUST WENT TO MY COUNSELOR,
GOT THE FORM, HAD MY MOM FILL IT
OUT AND SENT IT IN.
AND A COUPLE WEEKS LATER I GOT
THE ACCEPTANCE LETTER.
AND EVER SINCE THEN I'VE JUST
BEEN A PART OF IT.
>> THAT SOUNDS PRETTY EASY.
HOW DID YOU FIND OUT ABOUT IT
THE FIRST TIME?
>> MY COUNSELORS CAME TO EACH
CLASS AND THEY WERE TALKING
ABOUT IT.
AND WHEN THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT
IT, I JUST SAID, WELL, I OUGHT
TO GO FOR IT AND JUST WENT FOR
IT.
>> SO LET'S TALK TO YOU FOR JUST
A SECOND.
TALK ABOUT GROWING UP -- YOU'RE
THE FIRST GENERATION IN YOUR
FAMILY TO GO TO COLLEGE.
WAS THAT ALWAYS SOMETHING THAT
YOUR PARENTS HAD IN MIND FOR
YOU?
>> ACTUALLY, I'M ALSO THE FIRST
ONE TO GRADUATE FROM HIGH
SCHOOL.
AND, YEAH, IT'S ALWAYS -- I'VE
ALWAYS HAD THAT IN MY MIND THAT
I'VE ALWAYS BEEN SURE THAT I WAS
GOING TO GO TO COLLEGE.
AT FIRST I WASN'T SURE WHAT I
WAS GOING TO MAJOR IN, BUT I WAS
ALWAYS SURE THAT I HAD TO GO TO
COLLEGE.
NOT ONLY BECAUSE OF ME, BUT ALSO
BECAUSE OF MY PARENTS.
>> SO IT DIDN'T TAKE A COUNSELOR
TO MOTIVATE YOU.
BUT IT DID TAKE A COUNSELOR TO
HELP YOU GET SIGNED UP FOR
OHLAP?
>> YEAH.
WITHOUT MY COWNS LARRY WOULD
HAVE NEVER FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS
SCHOLARSHIP.
AND I BELIEVE A COUNSELOR'S A
VERY IMPORTANT PART IN
PROCESS.
BECAUSE THEY ARE ALSO BESIDES
MOTIVATING YOU, THEY HAVE TO
GIVE YOU THE INFORMATION.
THEY ALSO HAVE TO WORK WITH YOU
TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU CAN -- ARE
DOING THE REQUIREMENTS.
FULFILLING EVERYTHING.
MAKING SURE THAT YOU GO TO CLASS
AND EVERYTHING.
BUT YOU ALSO HAVE TO PUT IN YOUR
PART TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU STAY
UP WITH ALL YOUR CREDITS AND DO
YOUR BEST.
>> TRACEY SCOTT, JUST SO HAPPENS
THAT YOU WERE SALVADOR'S
COUNSELOR IN THE 8th GRADE AND
TALKED TO HIS PARENTS AND GOT
THEM THROUGH THE PROCESS.
BUT SOME PARENTS PROBABLY DON'T
UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS OR HAVE
SOME MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT OHLAP.
>> WHEN HE WAS SIGNED UP IN THE
8th GRADE WHICH IS THE
EARLIEST YEAR THAT YOU CAN
APPLY, THERE WEREN'T A LARGE
GROUP OF PEOPLE WITH HIS 8th
8th GRADE CLASS.
PROBABLY AROUND 10 OR 15.
I THINK THAT THE GREATEST
MISCONCEPTION FOR THE PARENTS IS
THAT THEY WON'T QUALIFY OR THEIR
KIDS MAY NOT MEET THE
REQUIREMENTS BECAUSE IN ADDITION
TO THE 2.5GPA, THERE'S ALSO THE
COMMITMENT THAT THE STUDENT WILL
REFRAIN FROM ANY ILLEGAL
ACTIVITIES OR, YOU KNOW, THINGS
THAT WOULD MAKE THEM INELIGIBLE
FOR THE OHLAP SCHOLARSHIP.
>> TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE
WITH OHLAP.
HAS IT BEEN DIFFICULT FOR YOU TO
STAY ON TRACK WITH THE
REQUIREMENTS?
>> NO.
BECAUSE ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS
MAINTAIN A 2.5 AND YOU JUST
CAN'T GET INVOLVED IN ANYTHING
ILLEGAL AND JUST TAKE THE SAME
CLASSES THAT OHLAP WANTS YOU TO
TAKE.
AND THEN YOU'RE IN IT.
I MEAN, IT'S VERY SIMPLE.
>> IF YOU WERE TO TALK TO
SOMEONE, SAY, THEY'RE IN THE
TENTH DWRAID YEAR NOW, WHAT
WOULD YOU SAY TO THEM TO
ENCOURAGE THEM TO SIGN UP FOR
OHLAP?
>> I WOULD TELL THEM THAT YOU
CAN SIGN UP BECAUSE YOU CAN SAVE
YOUR PARENTS MONEY BECAUSE OHLAP
PACE FOR YOUR TUITION AND YOU
CAN SAVE THEM A LOT OF MONEY.
AND I MEAN YOU ONLY GET THIS
OPPORTUNITY ONE TIME.
AND WHY NOT JUST TAKE IT.
>> SALVADOR, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY
TO SOMEONE WHO WAS ON THE FENCE
37 MAYBE NOT EVEN SURE THEY
WANTED TO GO TO COLLEGE.
>> I WOULD JUST TELL THEM TO GO
FOR IT.
WHAT CAN YOU LOSE?
THE REQUIREMENTS ARE NOT THAT
BAD.
YOU NEVER KNOW.
YOU MIGHT NOT BE -- YOU MIGHT
NOT BE SURE RIGHT NOW THAT YOU
WOULD WANT TO GO TO COLLEGE.
MAYBE LATER ON -- LATER YOUR
SENIOR YEAR, JUNIOR YEAR YOU
START MAKING UP YOUR MIND THAT
YOU -- THAT YOU DO WANT TO GO TO
COLLEGE.
YOU CAN'T HAVE THAT BACKING YOU
UP THAT THEY'LL PAY FOR YOUR
TUITION.
THAT'S A LOAD OFF YOUR PARENTS.
IT'S JUST A GOOD THING TO FALL
BACK ON.
AND JUST TO -- IT'S A GREAT
OPPORTUNITY.
>> LET'S GO BACK TO YOU.
DOES OHLAP'S REQUIREMENTS, DOES
THAT HELP YOU KEEP ON YOUR TOES
AND MAKE CERTAIN THAT YOU'RE
GOING TO HAVE ALL THE COURSES
YOU NEED TO GET INTO COLLEGE?
>> YES.
BECAUSE YOU GO TO YOUR
COUNSELORS AND YOU SAY, WELL,
WHAT CLASSES DO I NEED TO TAKE
RIGHT NOW.
THEY'LL SAY WELL YOU NEED A MATH
AND YOU NEED A FINE ARTS.
AND YOU WILL ENROLL INTO A MATH
AND FINE ARTS.
AND THAT WAY WHEN IT'S TIME FOR
YOU TO GRADUATE YOU'LL HAVE NOT
ONLY THE CLASSES YOU NEED TO
GRADUATE, BUT THE CLASSES THAT
OHLAP REQUIRES YOU TO HAVE.
IT HELPS YOU.
IT REALLY HELPS YOU.
>> WOULD YOU LIKE TO HEAR MORE
ABOUT OHLAP?
EMANUEL BROTHERS ENROLLED IN
OHLAP AFTER HIS MOM FOUND OUT
ABOUT THE PROGRAM.
HE IS NOW A COLLEGE STUDENT AND
THE DAY AFTER OUR INTERVIEW, HE
LEFT FOR ENGLAND TO STUDY
ABROAD.
WHEN WE COME BACK, WE'RE GOING
TO TALK WITH OUR STATE TREASURER
ROBERT BUTKIN ABOUT THE OKLAHOMA
COLLEGE SAVINGS PLAN AS WELL AS
EDUCATION TAX CREDITS WITH DAVID
STEL FROM THE IRS.
>> WELL, I WAS RAISED IN A
LOW-INCOME HOUSING PROJECT.
I GUESS YOU COULD SAY THAT THE
ODDS WERE USUALLY STACKED
AGAINST ME.
BUT I HAD A VERY ENCOURAGING
MOTHER.
A MOTHER WHO WANTED ME TO GO FAR
BEYOND WHERE SHE WENT.
>> NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR
CHILDREN.
YOU HAVE TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.
YOU FIND WAYS.
BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T TAKE THE
INITIATIVE TO INVEST, TO
ENCOURAGE IN YOUR CHILDREN'S
FUTURE.
THEY'RE JUST CHILDREN.
WE'RE THE ADULTS.
I DON'T CARE HOW DISMAL IT
LOOKS, WE'VE GOT TO FIND A WAY.
BECAUSE THE CHILD IS WORTH
HAVING A FUTURE AND BEING
SUCCESSFUL.
NOT JUST FLIPPING HAMBURGERS.
>> I KNEW THERE WERE CERTAIN
ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS I WOULD
HAVE TO FULFILL, CERTAIN CLASSES
TO RECEIVE OHLAP AND I WOULD
HAVE TO STAY OUT OF TROUBLE,
FIRST OFF.
I HAD NO PROBLEM STAYING OUT OF
TROUBLE.
IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN YOUR
FUTURE YOU SHOULD INVEST.
AND MAKE IT HAPPEN.
LET THOSE WHO ARE CAPABLE OF
HELPING YOU ACHIEVE THE THINGS
THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO ACHIEVE
SO YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE STEP.
AND OHLAP IS ONE OF THE BEST
THINGS CAN YOU DO TO ACHIEVE THE
THINGS YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE.
ESPECIALLY IF THAT'S COLLEGE.
IERCHGHTS OKLAHOMA STATE
TREASURER ROBERT BUTKIN,
OKLAHOMANS HAVE SOME GOOD NEWS,
DON'T THEY?
AND IT SOUNDS LIKE 529.
>> THE OKLAHOMA COLLEGE SAVINGS
PROGRAM IS OUR 529 PROGRAM.
IT'S ONE OF THE BEST IN THE
COUNTRY.
ANYBODY CAN OPEN UP AN ACCOUNT
WITH AS LITTLE AS $100.
THE MONEY GROS TOTALLY TAX FREE.
NOT A PENNY OF FEDERAL OR STATE
INCOME TAXES ARE PAID ON THAT
DURING THE ENTIRE TIME THE CHILD
IS GROWING UP.
IT'S TAX FREE WHEN YOU USE THE
MONEY TO GO TO COLLEGE.
AND ALSO YOU GET A TAX DEDUCTION
OF UP TO $2,500 A YEAR IN THE
YEAR YOU MAKE THE CONTRIBUTION.
IT IS A WONDERFUL WAY TO SAVE
FOR AN EDUCATION.
>> SO IF I PUT IN $100, IT
STARTS.
>> IT STARTS AND THAT MONEY
GROWS TOTALLY TAX FREE.
IT IS FREE FROM TAXATION.
WE HAVE KICKED THE FEDERAL AND
STATE INCOME TAX SELECTOR OUT OF
THE ROOM TO REWARD FOR SAVING
FOR A CHILD OR GRANDCHILD'S
EDUCATION.
>> THERE'S NO CEILING?
>> THIS IS ONE OF THE FEW
PROGRAMS AROUND ANYWHERE THAT
GIVES OKLAHOMANS A CHANCE TO
SAVE THE FULL AMOUNT OF THE
COLLEGE TUITION.
FAMILIES OF ALL INCOME GROUPS
CAN QUALIFY.
CAN YOU PUT INASMUCH AS
$240,000 OVERTIME IF YOU WISH.
UNLIKE OTHER FEDERAL AND STATE
PROGRAMS, IT PROVIDES PEOPLE AN
OPPORTUNITY TO SAVE THE FULL
AMOUNT OF COLLEGE TUITION AND
ROOM AND BOARD EXPENSES CAN ALSO
BE PAID FOR WITH COLLEGE SAVINGS
ACCOUNTS.
>> THAT IS PHENOMENAL.
NOW IT'S THE OKLAHOMA COLLEGE
SAVINGS PLAN.
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
>> IF I WANT TO INVEST, IF I
WANT TO START IN BEHALF OF ONE
OR MORE CHILDREN.
HOW DO I DO THAT?
>> YOU CALL OUR TOLL-FREE NUMBER
OR GET INFORMATION ABOUT THE
PLAN THROUGH OUR WEBSITE.
>> IT'S THROUGH THE OKLAHOMA
STATE TREASURER'S OFFICE?
>> I CHAIR THE BOARD THAT
MANAGES THE PLAN.
BUT IT IS THE OKLAHOMA COLLEGE
SAVINGS PROGRAM.
IT'S ACTUALLY RUN BY A BOARD.
AND I CHAIR THAT BOARD.
>> SO WE'RE GOING TO PUT A PHONE
NUMBER ON THE SCREEN.
AND PEOPLE CAN CALL THERE AND
SAY I WANT TO START THAT SAVINGS
THING.
BECAUSE WE'VE GONE PRETTY FAST.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
OR THEY KEN ROLL ON LINE ON OUR
WEBSITE.
>> THAT'S PRETTY FANTASTIC.
SO THERE'S NO MINIMUM EITHER?
>> THERE'S A $100 MINIMUM.
>> TO GET STARTED.
>> AFTER THAT TIME YOU CAN PUT
IN AS LITTLE AS $25 A MONTH.
THE OTHER ADVANTAGE IS THE MONEY
CAN BE USED TO GO TO COLLEGE
ANYWHERE.
PRIVATE, PUBLIC.
TWO-YEAR, FOUR-YEAR.
EVEN GRADUATE SCHOOLS AND MANY
POST HIGH SCHOOL TECHNICAL
PROGRAMS ALSO QUALIFY.
>> IT JUST SOUNDS LIKE IT'S
TOTAL FABULOUS.
>> WE'VE HAD 25,000 OKLAHOMA
FAMILIES ALREADY OPEN UP
ACCOUNTS.
WE HAVE OVER $100 MILLION THAT'S
BEEN INVESTED IN THE OKLAHOMA
COLLEGE SAVINGS PROGRAM.
WE WON'T BE HAPPY UNTIL EVERY
CHILD IN OKLAHOMA HAS A COLLEGE
SAVINGS ACCOUNT DEDICATED TO
THAT CHILD.
>> A WORTHY GOAL.
LET'S TALK TO OUR TAX MAN HERE.
DAVID STELL IS WITH THE INTERNAL
REVENUE SERVICE.
HE WAS TALKING ABOUT TAX
BENEFITS.
CAN YOU GO OVER THOSE AGAIN.
>> THERE ARE AN EVEN DOZEN TAX
BENEFITS BUILT INTO THE FEDERAL
TAX CODE.
ONE OF THEM IS THE 529 PLAN.
SOME OTHERS THAT I THINK ARE
VERY IMPORTANT, TWO THAT I CAN
THINK OF ARE THE HOPE
SCHOLARSHIP CREDIT.
THE LIFETIME LEARNING CREDIT.
WHENEVER YOU HEAR THE WORD
CREDIT MENTIONED IN CONNECTION
WITH TAXES, THAT'S THE BEST
THING.
THAT'S BETTER THAN A DEDUCTION.
BECAUSE A CREDIT IS A DOLLAR PER
DOLLAR REDUCTION IN YOUR TAX
BILL.
A WHOLE CREDIT IS SOMETHING THAT
CAN BE TAKEN DURING THE FIRST
TWO YEARS OF POST SECONDARY
EDUCATION.
IT'S UP TO A $1,500 TAX CREDIT
BASED ON THE TUITION AND FEES
THAT YOU PAY TO ENROLL IN
COLLEGE.
YOU TAKE THIS CREDIT ON YOUR TAX
RETURN.
IT REDUCES YOUR TAX -- IT CAN
REDUCE YOUR TAX DOWN TO ZERO.
NOW, THE LIFETIME LEANING CREDIT
IS VERY SIMILAR TO THAT.
BUT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE
TWO, NUMBER ONE, THE LIFETIME
LEARNING CREDIT HAS A MAX UM OF
$2,000 PER YEAR AND IT IS NOT
LIMITED TO THE FIRST TWO YEARS
OF POST SECONDARY EDUCATION.
THE WHOLE CREDIT THAT I SPOKE OF
JUST BEFORE, THE STUDENT HAS TO
BE ENROLLED IN A DEGREE
CANDIDACY PROGRAM.
BUT A LIFETIME LEARNING CREDIT
THAT IS NOT A REQUIREMENT.
EITHER OF THESE RESULT IN A
REDUCTION OF YOUR TAX BILL.
THERE ARE SOME PHASE-OUTS.
IF YOU'RE A MARRIED COUPLE YOU
CANNOT TAKE A BENEFIT LIKE THIS
IF YOUR INCOME IS MORE THAN
$105,000.
BUT THE BENEFITS ARE THERE AND
THEY'RE REALLY, REALLY VERY,
VERY GOOD ON YOUR TAX RETURN.
>> SO TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF
THESE, ARE THERE FORMS YOU MUST
FILE AND PHONE NUMBERS TO CALL.
>> THERE'S A SPECIAL FORM.
IT'S A FORM 8863.
AND YOU KNOW A LOT OF THE FMENT
ABOUT THAT FORM IS CONTAINED IN
THIS HANDY LITTLE PUBLICATION I
HAVE IN MY HAND.
PUBLICATION 970.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
IT'S CALLED TAX BENEFITS FOR
EDUCATION.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND PUBLICATION
970 FOR ANYONE WHO IS INTERESTED
IN FINDING OUT MORE ABOUT ANY
EDUCATIONAL TAX BREAKS.
CAN YOU GET THAT FROM THE IRS AT
OUR WEBSITE.
>> SO $1,500 TAX CREDIT DOLLAR
FOR DOLLAR OFF OF YOUR TAXES?
>> $1,500 RIGHT OFF THE TOP.
IT'S 100% OF THE FIRST 1,000
DINDZ TUITION AND FEES.
AND 50% OF THE NEXT $1,000 FOR A
TOTAL OF $1,500 CREDIT.
THE SAME WITH THE LIFETIME
LEARNING CREDIT.
IT'S 20 PERCENT OF THE FIRST
10,000 SPENT.
THE WHOLE CREDIT IS A PER
STUDENT CREDIT.
THE LIFETIME LEARNING CREDIT IS
A PER TAX RETURN CREDIT.
SO IN OTHER WORDS THE TSH
ANYBODY THAT'S CLAIMED ON THE
TAX RETURN AS THE PRIMARY,
SECONDARY OR DEPENDENT CAN FIT
INTO THE LIFETIME LEARNING
CREDIT SCENARIO.
SAME WITH THE WHOLE CREDIT, TOO.
BUT IT'S MORE SQUARED OUT SO
THAT MORE THAN ONE PERSON CAN
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT CREDIT.
>> SO IF PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW
MORE, WHO DO THEY CONTACT?
>> THEY CAN CONTACT THE IRS.
WE WILL BE GLAD TO MAIL OUT
PUBLICATION 970 BY MERELY
PLACING A PHONE CALL TO:>> I
THINK I'M GOING TO CALL YOU ALL
THE GOOD NEWS GUYS.
THIS HAS BEEN GREAT INFORMATION.
EVERYONE SHOULD BE ON THEIR WAY
TO COLLEGE.
THANK YOU BOTH.
>> : MAKE COLLEGE YOUR GOAL.
ATTEND COLLEGE GOAL SUNDAY FROM
2 TO 4 P.M. FEBRUARY 13th AT A
CAMPUS NEAR YOU.
INC. A SINGLE AFTERNOON YOU CAN
GET HELP IN FILLING OUT
FINANCIAL AID FORMS, LEARN WHAT
FINANCIAL AID OPTIONS ARE
AVAILABLE AND FIND OUT ABOUT
PREPARING FOR COLLEGE.
FOR CAMPUS LOCATION VISIT OK
HIGHER HE HAD -- OR CONTACT THE
FINANCIAL AID OFFICE AT A
COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY NEAR YOU.
>> THIS IS "CASH FOR COLLEGE".
AND THE NUMBER IS:
THERE IS STILL
TIME TO CALL OUR TOLL-FREE
NUMBER.
BUT AFTER TONIGHT'S BROADCAST,
YOU KNOW WHAT, YOU CAN STILL
CALL THIS NUMBER TO REQUEST A
PACKET OF INFORMATION ON HOW TO
OBTAIN CASH FOR COLLEGE.
THE NUMBER TO CALL AGAIN IS:
>>
WHEN WE COME BACK, WE WILL BE
TALKING WITH TWO REPRESENTATIVES
FROM OUR NATIVE AMERICAN
COMMUNITY ABOUT UNIQUE COLLEGE
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS.
TRESHA SPOON FROM THE ABSENTEE
SHAWNEE TRIBE AND QUINTON ROMAN
NOSE FROM THE CHEYENNE ARAPAHO
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL BE
JOINING US.
WATCH.
>> FOR A SIGNIFICANT POPULATION
OF OKLAHOMA, HIGHER EDUCATION,
TRIBAL FUNDING WITH THE WAY MANY
OF YOUR PEOPLE GO TO COLLEGE.
TELL US ABOUT THE NATIVE
AMERICANS IN OKLAHOMA.
>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL,
CALIFORNIA NEXT TO OKLAHOMA IS
THE MOST POPULUS STATE IN THE
NATION FOR NATIVE AMERICANS.
HOWEVER OKLAHOMA DOES HAVE THE
MOST NATIVE AMERICAN STUDENTS
K-12 IN THE NATION.
AND WE ALSO HAVE THE HIGHEST ACT
AND SAT SCORES FOR NATIVE
AMERICANS IN THE NATION.
>> THAT'S FABULOUS.
YOU'RE WITH THE CHEYENNE ARAPAHO
TRIBE AS THE DIRECTOR OF
EDUCATION.
SO IS THE FUNDING DIFFERENT THAN
MAYBE THE ABSENTEE SHAWNEE
TRIBE?
>> IT'S BASICALLY THE SAME.
WE'RE TRIBAL SPECIFIC.
YOU'VE GOT TO BE A MEMBER OF OUR
TRIBE IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE
FUNDS.
>> HOW IS IT A PART OF THE
ABDOMEN SEN STEE SHAWNEE TRIBE?
>> DO YOU HAVE TO BE A MEMBER OF
THE TRIBE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF
THE EDUCATION PROGRAMS THAT I
ADMINISTER.
I KNOW SOME OF THE FUNDING
CRITERIA IS DIFFERENT.
BECAUSE WE CONSIDER OUR A
SCHOLARSHIP BASED.
WE DON'T DO FINANCIAL NEEDS
ANALYSIS.
SO IT'S BASED ON THEIR
CUMULATIVE GPA.
AND SO WE HAVE FOUR LEVELS OF
FUNDING.
AND THAT I KNOW IS SOMETHING
THAT'S DIFFERENT THAN OTHER
TRIBAL PROGRAMS THAT I'VE COME
INTO CONTACT WITH.
>> TRESHA, RIGHT NOW HOW DO YOUR
PEOPLE FIND OUT ABOUT YOUR
EDUCATION FUNDING?
>> WELL, PRIMARILY THEY CAN COME
SEE ME.
I THINK MOST OF THEM CALL ME OR
CALL ABOUT EDUCATION PROGRAMS.
WE DO HAVE A TRIBAL NEWSPAPER
THAT IS -- AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE
EVERY MONTH I TRY TO PUT IN
SOMETHING JUST TO LET THEM KNOW
AS TO WHAT TYPE OF PROGRAMS WE
OFFER AND IF THERE ARE ANY
CHANGES, JUST REMINDERS.
>> JUST BECAUSE I KNOW PEOPLE
WANT TO KNOW ABOUT CASH FOR
COLLEGE, THE FUNDING LEVELS, DO
YOU PAY FOR AN ENTIRE EDUCATION,
A PORTION OF AN EDUCATION?
>> IT'S REALLY I GUESS A
PORTION.
WE FUND FOR A SEMESTER TO
SEMESTER AWARD.
AND THEY RANGE FROM
$1,000 FULL-TIME TO 2500,
DEPENDING ON THEIR GPA.
SO IT CAN FOR SOME FUND ALL OF
IT.
IT DID FOR ME.
I WENT THROUGH THE PROGRAM.
AND I RECEIVED MY BACHELOR'S
DEGREE WITHOUT HAVING TO OWE
ANYTHING.
>> QUINTON, I KNOW YOU'RE WITH
CHEYENNE ARAPAHO.
ARE YOUR PROGRAMS SIMILAR OR
VERY DIFFERENT?
>> SOME OF THAT WE DO RECEIVE
BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS FUNDS
THROUGH A CONTRACT.
BUT LIKE HER SHE ALSO HAS SOME
TRIBAL FUNDS THAT'S GENERATED
FROM TRIBAL SOURCES SUCH AS
GAMBLING REVENUE.
BUT OTHERS IS A LITTLE BIT
DIFFERENT.
THE OTHER TRIBES ADMINISTER THE
PROGRAMS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT.
OURS IS NEED BASED.
THERE'S A FINANCIAL AID PROCESS.
YOU HAVE TO APPLY FOR A PELL
GRANT AND YOU GO THROUGH THE
SCHOOL'S FINANCIAL AID OFFICER
TO GET A NEED ANALYSIS DONE.
SO WE BASE IT ON NEED.
EACH TRIBE WILL WORK FORA
DIFFERENT AMOUNT.
FROM OUR CONTRACT WINNINGS, WE
OFFER 1,000 PER SEMESTER
REGARDLESS OF THE GRADE LEVEL,
REGARDLESS OF THE GPA.
BUT FROM THE GAMING FUNDS WE'RE
GOING TO START MORE ADDITIONAL
MONEYS.
EACH TRIBE IS A LITTLE BIT
DIFFERENT.
SO EACH STUDENT NEEDS TO CONTACT
THEIR TRIBE THAT THEY'RE A
MEMBER OF.
>> BUT THESE ARE REALLY SOME
INCREDIBLE INCENTIVES TO GO TO
COLLEGE, AREN'T THEY?
THAT YOU'RE HELPING STUDENTS
HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO
COLLEGE.
AND THAT ACT SCORE IS CERTAINLY
AN IMPRESSIVE STATISTIC.
>> WELL, ALONG WITH THE ACT
SCORES, THE COLLEGE PREPARATION
IS VERY IMPORTANT.
THE COST OF GOING TO COLLEGE IS
GOING UP SIGNIFICANTLY.
THE AMOUNT OF MONEY EE RECEIVED
FROM ESPECIALLY THE BIA MONEYS
IS NOT GOING UP.
I KNOW PERSONALLY FOR INSTANCE
THE PELL GRANT 20 YEARS AGO IT
REPRESENTED -- TODAY IT'S JUST
ABOUT 40% OF THE COST OF GOING
TO COLLEGE.
SO OUR FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE.
BUT IT'S NOT DEFINITELY GOING TO
MEET THE NEED.
SO IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT
THEY SEEK OTHER SOURCES SUCH AS
OPEG WHICH THEY CAN QUALIFY FOR
THROUGH THE FASFA APPLICATION.
BUT EVEN GREATER THAN THAT I
THINK IS A GOLD MINE OUT THERE
CALLED OHLAP.
AND THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR
TRIBAL OR ALL STUDENTS.
IT'S NOT ONLY A TRIBAL PROGRAM.
IT'S A STATE PROGRAM.
THEY NEED TO ENROLL IN 8th,
9th AND 10th PROGRAM.
GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL WITH A
2.5GPA AND THEY GET THE TUITION
PAID FOR FOR THE NEXT 5 YEARS.
NOW COMBINED WITH THAT AND THE
PELL GRANT AND THE TRIBAL GRANT,
THAT'S GOING TO BE A SIGNIFICANT
PART OF THE COST OF GOING TO
COLLEGE.
>> I LIKE IT WHEN I HEAR ABOUT
"CASH FOR COLLEGE".
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR YOUR
TIME.
WILL INCLUDE AN AMERI EDUCATION
AWARD PROGRAM.
PARTICIPATING MEMBERS CAN EARN A
$1,000 EDUCATION AWARD TO F SET
COLLEGE EXPENSES.
FOR MORE INFORMATION STUDENTS
AND PARENTS CAN CONTACT THE
STAFF BY:
>> THIS IS CASH FOR
COLLEGE.
AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT WE HAVE
EVEN MORE EVENTS PLANNED FOR YOU
TO SHARE INFORMATION ABOUT
FINANCIAL AID.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 13 IS COLLEGE
GOAL SUNDAY.
ON THIS DAY STUDENTS IF FAMILIES
CAN MEET AT OVER 30 SIETH ACROSS
OKLAHOMA.
AT THESE SITES THEY CAN GET ONE
ON ONE EXPERT ADVICE ABOUT
FINANCIAL AID PLANNING FOR
COLLEGE.
IN ONE SINGLE AFTERNOON FROM 2
UNTIL 4 YOU CAN LEARN ABOUT
COLLEGE ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
AND OBTAIN ON-SITE ASSISTANCE IN
FILLING OUT FINANCIAL AID
APPLICATION FORMS.
AND IT'S FREE.
YOU CAN ALSO DISCOVER THE
BENEFITS OF ATTENDING COLLEGE.
LEARN ABOUT STUDENT SUPPORT
SERVICES, AREAS OF STUDY AND
DEGREE PROGRAMS.
HERE'S A LISTING OF THE
LOCATIONS ACROSS THE STATE THAT
ARE PARTICIPATING IN COLLEGE
GOAL SUNDAY ON FEBRUARY 13th.
YOU CAN ALSO VISIT THIS WEBSITE.
TO SEE THE LIST OF SITES AGAIN
OR CALL US AT:
COMING UP NEXT, PARENTS OF
COLLEGE STUDENTS GOT TOGETHER
RECENTLY TO TALK ABOUT THEIR
EXPERIENCES AND TO SHARE HELPFUL
TIPS ABOUT THE FINANCIAL AID
PROCESS.
>> ANGELA, YOUR FAMILY WAS FACED
WITH SOME SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES
AND THE FINANCIAL AID OFFICE
HELPED YOU; IS THAT RIGHT?
>> ACTUALLY, I WENT THROUGH THE
ADMISSIONS OFFICE AT UNIVERSITY
OF TULSA AND THEY -- THEIR
FINANCIAL AID DEPARTMENT HELPED
US A LOT.
THEY WERE EXTREMELY HELPFUL.
THEY HELPED US DETERMINE WHAT
OUR CONTRIBUTIONS WOULD BE AFTER
OUR FEDERAL AID WAS DETERMINED,
HOW WE WOULD GO ABOUT IT.
HOW WE WOULD SECURE IT AND WHAT
KIND OF LOANS AND GRANTS WE WERE
ABLE TO GET AND WHAT WE WERE --
WHAT WE WERE -- WHAT WAS
AVAILABLE.
>> WHEN YOU HAVE A LIE SCHOOL
SENIOR IN THE HOUSE.
IT'S NOT TOO EARLY TO GET
STARTED ON THE COLLEGE ADMISSION
PROCESS.
>> WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF
FILLING OUT THE FORMS AS WE
SPEAK.
AND THAT FASFA, WHAT I'M FINDING
OUT IS YOU NEED TO FILL OUT THAT
FORM AS SOON AFTER JANUARY 1st
JANUARY 1st, AS SOON AS
POSSIBLE.
THE SOONER I CAN FILL THAT FASFA
OUT, THE MORE OPPORTUNITIES ARE
GOING TO BE AVAILABLE TO MY
DAUGHTER.
AND IF SHE -- IF WE CAN GET IT
FILLED OUT WITH ALL THE
INFORMATION OF OUR TAX RETURN
FROM 2004, SHE MAY BE AVAILABLE
FOR X AMOUNT OF GRANTS AND ALSO,
TOO, I UNDERSTAND THAT FILLING
OUT ON LINE, IT ALLOWS YOU TO
HAVE IT PREEDITED AND MAY BE
ABLE TO CUT BACK ON SOME
MISTAKES LATE EVERY ON VERSUS
FILLING IT OUT ON THE HARD COPY.
>> IT'S IMPORTANT THAT YOU GO ON
LINE AND REQUEST A PIN.
BECAUSE YOUR PIN IS YOUR
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER FOR EVERY
FORM THAT YOU FILL OUT.
AND IN ORDER TO GET THAT PIN,
YOU HAVE TO REQUEST IT.
AND IT TAKES SOMETIMES A WEEK TO
10 DAYS TO GET IT.
SO IF YOU WAIT VERY LONG TO
REQUEST IT, YOU'RE DELAYING
YOURSELF TWO MORE WEEKS OF
ACTUAL TIME THAT YOU COULD BE
USING.
>> PAM, YOU'VE HAD THREE
CHILDREN THAT HAVE GONE THROUGH
THIS PROCESS.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE SPECIAL
THINGS THAT YOU'VE LEARNED?
>> WE GATHERED ALL THE DATA
TOGETHER THAT WAS REQUIRED.
LIKE WAYNE WAS SAYING.
HIS TAX DATA.
AND ANYTHING ELSE THAT WAS
REQUIRED BEFORE WE -- AFTER WE
GOT OUR PIN NUMBER BEFORE WE
WENT IN TO ACTUALLY APPLY ON
LINE.
AGAIN FOR THE EDITING PURPOSES.
BECAUSE THAT REALLY DOES HELP.
AND I ERRORS THAT YOU MAKE
THERE, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE GOING
TO E-MAIL YOU BACK OR GIVE YOU A
FLAG BACK AND YOU CAN CLEAN IT
UP AND GO FORWARD FROM THERE.
THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT
IT'S IMPORTANT TO GET YOUR DATA
TOGETHER.
ONCE YOU GET IT TOGETHER, KEEP
IT TOGETHER SO IF THEY COME BACK
WITH A QUESTION, YOU HAVE IT
READILY AVAILABLE TO RESEARCH
IT.
>> YOU ALSO DISCOVERED ANOTHER
WAY TO HELP OUT YOUR CHILDREN
WITH THEIR STUDENT FINANCIAL
AID, A PLUS LOAN.
>> AFTER THEY DID AN ASSESSMENT
ON WHAT MY FAMILY COULD AFFORD
AND FOR MY DAUGHTERS.
I'M A SINGLE PARENT.
AND MY DAUGHTER'S GOING TO
SCHOOL.
THEN FOR THE BOOKS AND TUITION,
SHE WENT TO KU BECAUSE THAT WAS
WHERE SHE COULD GET WHAT SHE WAS
NEEDING FOR HER EDUCATION.
AND I HAD TO TAKE OUT A PLUS
LOAN TO ASSIST FOR THE
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT TO HELP
PAY FOR TUITION.
TO HELP PAY FOR BOOKS, OR GAS
MONEY.
>> TELL US WHAT A PLUS LOAN IS.
>> A PLUS LOAN IS A PARENT LOAN
THAT I APPLIED FOR THROUGH A
LENDING INSTITUTION.
I DIDN'T ACTUALLY GET THE MONEY.
BUT IT GOES TO MY DAUGHTER FOR
HER EDUCATION.
I HAD REASONABLE INTEREST RATES.
NOW ACTUALLY SHE'S OUT OF
SCHOOL.
AND I'M PAYING IT BACK.
ACTUALLY, THEY DO AN AUTOMATIC
DEB TOIT MY CHECKING ACCOUNT AND
THEY EVEN OFFER SOMETHING IF I
ALLOW THEM TO DO IT FOR A YEAR
AND I KEEP ON A REGULAR PAYMENT
THEY DROP MY INTEREST RATE.
SO IT'S VERY EASY.
VERY SMOOTH.
VERY EASY PEOPLE TO WORK WITH.
>> SO IT'S LIKE A STUDENT LOAN
THAT PARENTS CAN GET.
>> BUT IT'S CREDIT BASED.
>> IT IS.
IT IS CREDIT BASE PPD >> SO YOU
HAVE TO HAVE THE CREDIT IN ORDER
TO GET IT?
>> YES.
>> : IT'S IMPORTANT THAT YOU
COMPLETE AND SUBMIT YOUR FREE
APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT
AID ALSO CALLED THE FASFA AS
SOON AFTER JANUARY 1st AS
POSSIBLE EACH YEAR.
FOR EXAMPLE, TO RECEIVE
FINANCIAL AID FOR THE 2005-2006
SCHOOL YEAR YOU WOULD NEED TO
COMPLETE THE FASFA AS SOON AFTER
JANUARY 1st OF 2005 AS
POSSIBLE.
BE SURE TO SUBMIT THE FASFA
BEFORE APRIL TO ENSURE THAT YOU
WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR THE
OKLAHOMA TUITION AID GRANT WHICH
IS AWARDED TO APPLICANTS WITH
THE HIGHEST FINANCIAL NEED ON A
FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE BASIS.
>>
>> WELL, WE'RE AT THE END OF OUR
TIME TOGETHER FOR THIS YEAR'S
CASH FOR COLLEGE.
WE HOPE YOU HAVE FOUND THE
INFORMATION WE'VE SHARED TONIGHT
TO BE HELPFUL.
DON'T IF GET SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 13
FOR COLLEGE GOAL SUNDAY.
FROM 2 TO 4 P.M. THAT DAY YOU
WILL BE ABLE TO GET IN-PERSON
INFORMATION ABOUT LOTS OF THINGS
ABOUT GOING TO COLLEGE.
THERE ARE OVER 30 SITES ACROSS
THE STATE THAT WILL BE HOSTING
COLLEGE GOAL SUNDAY ACTIVITIES.
YOU'LL BE ABLE TO GET ONE-ON-ONE
HELP WITH COMPLETING THE FASFA.
THE LIST OF SITES IS RUNNING
QUICKLY ACROSS YOUR SCREEN, BUT
IF YOU DON'T CATCH ALL OF IT,
CALL THE TOLL-FREE NUMBER
TOMORROW OR CHECK THE
CASHFORCOLLEGEOK.INFO WEBSITE TO
SEE THE COMPLETE LIST.
WE WANT TO THANK OUR PHONE BANK
VOLUNTEERS AND ALL OF THE PEOPLE
WHO PARTICIPATED IN PRODUCING
THIS BROADCAST.
THERE WERE AROUND 100 FOLKS
INVOLVED IN PUTTING THIS PROM
TOGETHER.
REMEMBER THAT YOU CAN CALL OUR
ANY TIME.
EVEN AFTER THE BROADCAST TO GET
MORE INFORMATION AND TO GET YOUR
QUESTIONS ANSWERED ABOUT STUDENT
FINANCIAL AID.
THANKS FOR WATCHING TONIGHT'S
BROADCAST.
AND YOU CAN WATCH IT AGAIN
WHENEVER YOU WANT TO BY JUST
LOGGING ON AT:
CASHFORCOLLEGEOK.INFO WEBSITE.
REMEMBER, A COLLEGE EDUCATION IS
A GREAT INVESTMENT AND IT WILL
PAY HUGE DIVIDENDS YOUR ENTIRE
LIFE.
AS YOU HAVE SEEN AND HEARD HERE
TONIGHT, THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE
WHO ARE DEDICATED TO HELPING YOU
SECURE "CASH FOR COLLEGE" AND
REALIZING YOUR DREAMS.
IT IS WITHIN YOUR REACH.
THANKS FOR WATCHING.