RSU To Offer Students and Families Guidance in Applying for Financial Aid

Students and their parents can get personal, professional assistance in applying for financial aid and planning for college at “College Goal Sunday” on Sunday, Feb. 9, at Rogers State University.

The free event will be held from 2-4 p.m. on the second floor of Markham Hall on the RSU campus in Claremore.

In a single afternoon, students and their families can become familiar with college entrance requirements, learn about planning for college and obtain on-site assistance in filling out financial aid application forms. (Those interested in this service should bring their latest tax information to the event.)

In addition, information will be shared about the benefits of attending college, student support services and areas of study at RSU.

College Goal Sunday is sponsored by RSU, Lumina Foundation for Education, Oklahoma GEAR UP, Oklahoma Guaranteed Student Loan Program, Oklahoma Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, Sonic Corp. and the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

More than 30 higher education institutions are participating in College Goal Sunday. For a complete listing of participating colleges and universities, go to www.okhighered.org and click on the College Goal Sunday icon or call 1-800-858-1840. For more information about College Goal Sunday at RSU, call (918) 343-7553.

Those unable to attend the event can tune in to “Cash for College,” a television program to be aired live at 8 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 6, on OETA, Cox Cable channel 11 in Claremore and Tulsa. Experts will be in the studio to discuss the various aspects of financial aid. Viewers will be able to call toll-free and ask questions of student financial aid counselors from various Oklahoma colleges, universities, technology centers and professional schools.

During the one-hour telecast, discussions will include information on types of financial aid available, how to apply for financial aid and how to avoid common mistakes when filling out the financial aid application.

The program also will be broadcast live via the Internet. To watch the live-streaming webcast, viewers may go to www.okhighered.org/student-center.

“Helping Oklahomans find the resources necessary to make attending college more affordable is a priority for the State Regents,” said Paul Risser, Chancellor of Oklahoma Higher Education.  “We applaud all of the Oklahoma businesses and organizations, along with the Lumina Foundation, who have made these two events possible and who understand the value of a highly educated citizenry. Their generous contributions will have a positive impact on our state for years to come.”

“Cash for College” is being produced by OETA in conjunction with the Oklahoma Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, Oklahoma Guaranteed Student Loan Program and the State Regents with additional funding provided by Bank One, Oklahoma College Savings Plan, OSLA Student Loan Servicing, Sallie Mae Fund, Stillwater National Bank, Bank of Oklahoma, Local Oklahoma Bank, Nelnet Educational Services, Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation, Affordian Student Loans, Armstrong Bank, Arvest Bank, BancFirst, Bank of America, Citibank-The Student Loan Corporation, First National Bank of Oklahoma, Nellie Mae and Tinker Federal Credit Union.