The financial aid program at the University of Oklahoma Health is administered in accordance with policies and guidelines that comply with federal, state, and institutional regulations.
The University awards need‑based financial aid using the federal formula, which defines financial need as the difference between the student’s Cost of Attendance (COA) and the Student Aid Index (SAI)—formerly known as the Expected Family Contribution (EFC)—along with any other financial assistance. The COA may include only those expenses permitted under federal law. Expenses of the student’s family cannot be included, except for allowable dependent‑care costs when such care is necessary for the student to attend classes and is documented on a case‑by‑case basis. Federal financial aid regulations do not permit federal funds to be used to support a student’s family beyond these specific allowances. Because all institutions use the same federally mandated methodology (Federal Methodology) to assess a family’s financial strength, the SAI is generally consistent across institutions. Need‑based financial aid programs are built on the principle that the student—and, when applicable, the student’s parents or spouse—are primarily responsible for financing the student’s education to the extent they are able. The University therefore expects students and their families to make a reasonable and maximum effort toward meeting educational expenses before need‑based aid is awarded.
The amount of the family contribution is determined through a careful analysis of the financial information submitted on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is the only application required to be considered for all federal, state, and institutional aid programs administered by the Financial Aid Office at the University of Oklahoma Health.