Types of Financial Assistance and Eligibility Criteria Available
at Ottawa University – Surprise, AZ
Ottawa University (OU) is committed to providing assistance to any student pursuing monetary
aid to help cover his/her educational costs. To accomplish this mission the OU Financial Aid
Office employs the following policies and procedures when developing an award package. Theaward package attempts to meet a student’s direct demonstrated need and provide funding
options to cover costs through the use of all forms of assistance (federal, state and institutional;
based on program limitations). Key factors in determining a student’s award package are:
1. EFC = Expected Family Contribution, as determined by the Department of Education
2. Cost of Attendance (Budget)—total, average direct and indirect costs for a cohort of students
attending Ottawa University
3. Need = Cost of Attendance (Budget) – EFC

Awarding Order:
Need Based Programs
1. Federal Pell Grant (see table below for amounts)
2. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG; see table below foramounts)
3. OU scholarships and other awards
4. Outside Scholarships and Grants (including AZ Leap)
5. Direct Subsidized Loan (see table below for amounts)
Non Need-Based Programs
6. Direct Unsubsidized Loan
7. Direct Parent Loan (PLUS) & Alternative Loan Eligibility
8. Vocational Rehabilitation, Bureau of Indian Affairs and other countable forms ofassistance (not included on award letter). Total money received, including these funds,
may not exceed cost of attendance or other aid will be reduced starting with non-needbased programs.

Institutional Aid
Presidential Scholarship

Competitive scholarship awarded to selected first-year students who seek to be agents of change in their college
careers and beyond. The award will be up to 100% of the cost of tuition each academic year for up to fouryears. Unless specifically designated, institutional aid can be used to cover any direct cost (e.g., tuition, fees,room, board, etc.).
Surprise High-Achiever
Competitive scholarship. Students receiving this award are required to live in University sponsored housing.
Only students entering in the fall semester are eligible for this scholarship. To be considered for thisscholarship, students must be a senior in high school who is a dependent of an employee of the City of Surprise,a student from a Dysart District High School, a Surprise public or private high school, or a resident of the Cityof Surprise (for a minimum of one year). Only students entering in the fall semester are eligible for thisscholarship. The award will be up to 100% of the cost of tuition each academic year for up to four years. Unlessspecifically designated, institutional aid can be used to cover any direct cost (e.g., tuition, fees, room, board,etc.).
ProvostCompetitive scholarship awarded to selected first-year students who seek to be agents of change in their college
careers and beyond. The award will be up to 75% of the cost of tuition each academic year for up to four years.
Unless specifically designated, institutional aid can be used to cover any direct cost (e.g., tuition, fees, room,board, etc.).
Elite Scholars Program
Ottawa University Arizona (OUAZ) announces its prestigious Elite Scholars Program competition. Qualified
students are invited to compete for the awarding of the Presidential and Surprise High Achiever (up to 100%tuition) and Provost (up to 75% tuition) Scholarships. These scholarships are renewable for up to a total of four
consecutive years as long as the student maintains a 3.5 GPA and remains in good standing with OUAZ.
Recipients of these scholarships live in University-sponsored housing and serve as student leaders in thecampus community. Unless specifically designated, institutional aid can be used to cover any direct cost (e.g.,tuition, fees, room, board, etc.).
Qualifications
To be considered to compete in this elite competition, high school seniors must have:• a minimum cumulative high school GPA (unweighted) of 3.50 (out of 4.00),• a minimum ACT composite score of 25, or• a minimum SAT composite score of 1200, and• been accepted to Ottawa University Arizona (OUAZ).
The competition begins with the submission of a portfolio which shall include a:• submitted OUAZ application for admission;• high school transcript that details graded coursework through the end of 2017, including in-progresscoursework for your senior year;• bulleted outline of extra-curricular activities that includes (1) years of participation, (2) levels ofinvolvement, and (3) leadership positions held;• list of honors, awards and recognitions received;• maximum of three (3) letters of recommendation from a school official, teacher or activity director that
addresses your excellence in academics, intellectual and creative work, involvement in your high schoolcommunity, and civic involvement; and• maximum of three (3) different samples of creative work (graded if academic in nature) that efficiently
displays intellectual range and depth (e.g., a recorded fine arts performance, graded artistic expression,
graded writing sample, graded exam, etc.).

Based upon an evaluation of the portfolios, selected students will advance to the final round of competition(interview) which will be conducted on the Surprise campus.
Portfolios should be forwarded mailed or delivered to your Enrollment Advisor at:
Ottawa University Arizona
Attn: Elite Scholars Competition
15950 N. Civic Center Plaza
Surprise, AZ 85374
Church Matching
Match up to $10,000 per year
For students who are accepted to OUAZ and a recognized and active member in their church. The scholarship
originates with your home church. OUAZ will match the church contribution dollar for dollar up to $10,000 peryear. Renewal requires continued church financial support. These scholarships are renewable for up to three
additional consecutive years so long as the student maintains a 2.5 cumulative GPA, maintains satisfactory
academic progress, and remains in good standing with Ottawa University. Unless specifically designated,institutional aid can be used to cover any direct cost (e.g., tuition, fees, room, board, etc.).
Native American Matching Match up to $10,000 per year
For students who are accepted to OUAZ and who are members of a federally recognized Native American tribe,OUAZ will match tribal contributions dollar for dollar up to $10,000 per year. Renewal requires continued
Tribal support. These scholarships are renewable for up to three additional consecutive years so long as thestudent maintains a 2.5 cumulative GPA, maintains satisfactory academic progress, and remains in goodstanding with Ottawa University (cannot be combined with the Ottawa Tribal Award). Unless specificallydesignated, institutional aid can be used to cover any direct cost (e.g., tuition, fees, room, board, etc.).
West Valley Housing Award
The following West Valley Housing Awards are designed to encourage students living in the West Valley anaffordable opportunity to reside on campus. These awards can be combined with the Academic MeritScholarships, Affinity Activity Scholarships, and Member Scholarships. Unless specifically designated,
institutional aid can be used to cover any direct cost (e.g., tuition, fees, room, board, etc.).
West Valley Residence Housing Cities: Avondale, Buckeye, Deer Valley, El Mirage, Glendale, Goodyear,
Litchfield Park, Peoria, Sun City West, Tolleson, Waddell, Wittman, and Youngtown.
Activity Awards:
Ottawa University’s activity awards are available to students who have demonstrated significant skill orpotential in an extra-curricular or co-curricular activity. A student may receive only one activity award,
although they are encouraged to participate in other activities if they wish. Amounts vary and continued
participation in the activity is required to keep the award; award amount may also be reduced. Unlessspecifically designated, institutional aid can be used to cover any direct cost (e.g., tuition, fees, room, board,etc.).
Students seeking activity awards at Ottawa University Arizona should contact their Enrollment Advisor orFinancial Advisor to learn more. Clubs include but are not limited to the: Business Club, Sports Medicine Club,Bowling, E-Sports, Wrestling, Campus Ministries, Musical Theater, OUAZ Leadership Cadre.
Ottawa Indian Award
Full Tuition and required fees/Room and board if on campus
This scholarship is awarded to documented members of the Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma. Double occupancy
room and board charges are covered if the student resides on-campus. Reduced meal plan charge is covered ifstudent resides off-campus. Students residing in university-owned off-campus housing should see the Tribal
Agreement for full details. Incoming tribal students are asked to complete and submit the BIA Higher
Education Scholarship application.
Tuition Waiver Award

Full tuition

Full tuition to faculty/staff and their dependents. These students are not eligible for SEOG & KCG unless allother eligible students have been awarded. See Employee Policy Handbook for eligibility details.
Tuition Exchange
Reciprocal agreement schools
Full tuition award for students whose parent (s) are employed by a university with a reciprocal agreement withOttawa University. OU reserves the right to limit the number of these awards. These students are not eligible
for SEOG unless all other eligible students have been awarded.

Need Based Gift Aid
Federal Pell Grant:
Full Time/Full Year Pell Grant will be awarded based on the Pell chart provided by theDepartment of Education. Factors affecting the award amount are the EFC (from the FAFSA)
and the student’s enrollment status.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
FSEOG will be awarded only to Pell Grant eligible students. Funds will be set aside for bothfall and spring starts. Students with 0 EFC’s will be awarded $250/semester as long as funds
remain available. Students will then be placed on a waiting list sorted first by lowest EFC, thenby application (FAFSA) receipt date and will be awarded $250 after the semester add-drop
period if funds remain.
Arizona LEAP$500 per year from the Arizona State Grant program (AZ Leap) will be awarded to eligible
students using the following criteria:
1. Must meet AZ Leap eligibility requirements (must have Need, meet Title IV citizenshipcriteria, be an Arizona resident for the last 12 months, meet SAP etc.).
2. Must have a remaining unpaid balance
3. Must have exhausted all Title IV eligibility
4. Students with zero EFC’s are evaluated first
Outside Scholarships:
Ottawa University does not reduce institutional aid when a student receives a scholarship/grantfrom an outside source unless total gift aid from these and other (federal/state) sources exceeds
Ottawa’s cost of attendance. Receipt of outside scholarships may affect the student’s eligibility
for self-help aid depending on the student’s total aid and financial need.

Need-Based Self-Help AidDirect Subsidized Loan:
Students with remaining need may receive a Direct Subsidized Loan as outlined in the tablebelow:
Hours Completed
Less than 24
24-53.5
54+

Maximum Annual$3,500$4,500$5,500One semester$1,750$2,250$2,750In addition, students may request up to $2,000 in a Direct Unsubsidized Loan annually.
Students who increase a grade level during the academic year may request the corresponding
annual increase in Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized funds. The student’s total financial aidpackage will be recalculated and other aid may be adjusted.

Federal Work Study:
Federal Work Study (FWS) eligibility will be determined by the Financial Aid Office once astudent inquires about student employment. If the student has remaining need after all otherneed-based aid has been awarded (s)he will be awarded eligibility up to $2,000 for the academic
year. Increases to FWS eligibility will be considered on a case by case basis. FWS eligibility
will not be listed on original award letters.

Non Need-Based Self Help Aid
Direct Unsubsidized Loan:Students with no remaining need at the time of awarding the Direct Subsidized Loan funds may
still receive a maximum Direct Unsubsidized (interest accruing) Loan in the following amounts:
Less than 24 hours completed$5,500 per academic year
24-53.5 hours completed$6,50054+ hours completed$7,500Independent students and students whose parents are denied a Direct Parent Loan may receive
additional Direct Unsubsidized Loan funds as follows:
Less than 54 hours completed
54+ hours completed

up to $4,000 per academic year
up to $5,000

Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS):

PLUS eligibility will be listed on award letters for dependent students, but as a separate item,
independent of other aid elements. The maximum PLUS eligibility is the difference between
Cost of Attendance and other aid the student is receiving from all sources.
Alternative Loan:
Alternative Loans are private loans that are borrowed by students and are usually school
certified. When Ottawa University certifies the loan, it will be listed on the student’s awardletter. The maximum eligibility is the difference between Cost of Attendance and other aid thestudent is receiving from all sources.
Other Awarding Issues:• Requests for additional institutional aid will be accepted by the Financial Aid Office andmust be approved by the Chief Operating Officer.
• Only award letters sent from the Financial Aid Office are considered official.
• Review of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) will occur after the spring semester.
See SAP policy for more information.
• Special Conditions/Professional Judgments and SAP appeals will be handled only by theFinancial Aid Office.
• Estimated award letters will be sent by the Financial Aid Office without waiting forcompletion of verification or C-code resolution. Verification and/or C-code resolution
may result in changes to the financial aid package.
• Students selected by the Department of Education for verification must be verified.
Students not selected for verification will be reviewed for consistent data, and may beinternally selected. Students who estimate tax information will be verified if selected by
the Department of Education or if data appears inconsistent, but not automatically.
• Total financial aid (from all sources) CANNOT exceed cost of attendance (COA). If gift
aid is in excess of COA, OU gift aid will be reduced first, except for full-tuition
scholarships, in which case campus-based funds will be reduced as determined by theFinancial Aid Office• If total aid (including self-help aid) exceeds COA, self-help aid will be returned in thefollowing order:a. Alternative Loanb. Direct Parent (PLUS) Loanc. Direct Unsubsidized Loand. Federal Work Study eligibility
e. Direct Subsidized Loan
• OU scholarships and grants (funded and unfunded) may not exceed cost of tuition, withthe exception of members of the Ottawa Tribe.
• Unless specifically designated, Institutional aid can be used to cover any direct costs.

• Federal Work Study (FWS) pay is minimum wage unless otherwise noted.
• Campus Based funds (FWS, FSEOG) may be awarded for summer depending on
availability of funds.
• Qualified dependents of OU employees will not be awarded institutional aid (other thanthe tuition waiver) and will be subject to the guidelines in the Employee Handbook.
a) Minimum 21 years of age (by date determined by Office of Student Affairs)b) Full-time student with senior-class standing and an approved Educational Plan forGraduation (contract).
c) Marriedd) Has dependent children
The decision to adjust aid will be made by the Office of Student Affairs.
• Students will be placed on waiting lists for FSEOG after funds are exhausted, based on
their date of packaging, then their date of ISIR receipt by the Department of Education.
• Part-time students are defined as follows:
1-5 hours
6-8 hours
9-11 hours
12+ hours

Less than half-time; ineligible for institutional aid and Direct Loans
Half-timeThree-quarter time
Full-time• Part-time students will have their budget and aid recalculated up to the census date,except in cases of non-attendance. Institutional aid and Pell Grant will be adjusted
according to the student’s enrollment status and other aid will be adjusted based onrecalculated need. Institutional aid for approved part-time students will be calculated asfollows: Student enrollment status (half-time, 3/4 time) times full time award equals parttime award.
• Full-time students attending one semester only will have annual awards halved. FSEOG
awards will be determined by using the nine-month EFC and halving the award.
• Students with approved consortium agreements will be awarded institutional aid based on
the number of hours enrolled at Ottawa, but will be awarded federal and state funds basedon their overall enrollment status including coursework at the consortium host school.

Ref (11/2/21)