. CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION CAPTIONS PROVIDED BY CAPTION SERVICES OF KANSAS, WWW.CAPTIONSERVICES.COM. >> FOR THE NEXT HOUR, EXPERTS WILL GUIDE YOU THROUGH THEB >> Gwin: WELCOME TO THE THIRD ANNUAL "CASH FOR COLLEGE" TONIGHT I'M HERE TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT FINANCIAL AID AND ABOUT YOUR DECISION TO COME TO COLLEGE COLLEGE. AND I KNOW MANY OF YOUR WORRY ABOUT HOW EXACTLY YOU'RE GOING TO PAY FOR COLLEGE. I'M HERE TONIGHT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL WAYS FOR YOU TO GET TO COLLEGE AND FOR YOU NOT TO STRESS OUT SO MUCH ABOUT WORRYING ABOUT HOW YOU'RE GOING PAY FOR COLLEGE. ONE OF THE FIRST STEPS THAT YOU NEED TO DO AS A STUDENT IS SIT DOWN WITH YOUR PARENTS ONCE YOU MAKE THE INITIAL DECISION THAT YOU ARE GOING TO COLLEGE, YOU'RE COMING TO A CERTAIN UNIVERSITY. THEN YOU AND YOUR PARENTS NEED TO TAKE THE TIME TO FILL OUT THE FEDERAL FINANCIAL -- THE FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID, WHICH AS MANY TIMES, MANY OF YOU WILL HEAR IS THE FASA. IT COMES IN TWO FORMS. IT'S AVAILABLE ON LINE AND IT'S ALSO AVAILABLE ON PAPER. ONCE YOU TAKE THIS AND YOU NEED TO FILL IT OUT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, THEN THAT ENABLES YOU TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR DIFFERENT KINDS OF GRANTS THAT ARE OUT THERE THROUGH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. THE GRANTS RANGE FROM A VARIETY OF THINGS SUCH AS PELL GRANT AND OTAG. IT IS SOMETHING THAT OKLAHOMA OFFERS, OKLAHOMA TUITION AID GRANT. THE FIRST STEP YOU NEED TO DO IS APPLY EARLY. THAT'S THE KEY NOTE. THAT'S ONE OF THE BIG THINGS THAT I NEED TO STRESS TO YOU TONIGHT. THERE ARE OTHER WAYS FOR TO YOU PAY FOR COLLEGE, TOO. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'M ABLE TO USE IS THE FEDERAL WORK STUDY PROGRAM. THROUGH WORK STUDY I'M ALLOWED TO WORK 20 HOURS A WEEK WHICH WORKS AROUND MY CLASS SCHEDULE NEN ABLES ME TO HAVE A REGULAR JOB AND TO LEARN HOW TO DEAL WITH CLASS LOAD AND WORK LOAD, ENABLES ME TO LEARN TIME MANAGEMENT AND IT GIVES ME VALUABLE WORK EXPERIENCE THAT I'M GOING TO NEED ONCE I GET INTO THE WORK FORCE AFTER I GRADUATE FROM COLLEGE. I'M A MEMBER OF THE CHOCTAW AND CHICKASAW TRIBES AND THROUGH MY TRIBE I WAS ABLE TO GET FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO COME TO COLLEGE. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I NEED TO DO UPON MAKING A DECISION TO GO ON AND GET A HIGHER EDUCATION WAS I HAD TO DOT PROPER PROCESS AND PROCEDURES. I CONTACTED MY TRIBE, SUBMITTED ALL DOCUMENTS I NEEDED AND THEY WERE ABLE TO GIVE ME THE ASSISTANCE I NEED TO COME TO COLLEGE. WHILE THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO PROVIDE THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO PAY FOR MY ENTIRE COLLEGE COSTS, THEY WERE ABLE TO GIVE ME SOME ASSISTANCE. AND HOW I WAS ABLE TO PAY FOR THE REST OF THE COLLEGE WAS I HAD TO TAKE OUT PRIVATE LOANS THAT ARE AVAILABLE. AND WHAT YOU NEED TO DO WHEN YOU DO THAT IS IF YOU AREN'T ABLE TO GET THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE THAT YOU NEED TO COVER THE ENTIRE COST OF COLLEGE, IS TO TAKE IN CONSIDERATION OF DOING A LOAN. WHILE THAT IS IN MY OPINION WOULD BE THE LAST OPTION, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT'S OUT THERE AND AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS. ONE THING ABOUT LOANS THAT I LIKE TO TAKE -- OR TO LOOK AT IS WHILE PEOPLE SOMETIMES LOOK DOWN UPON LOANS, THE WAY I VIEW IT IS THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I'M DOING. I'M A SINGLE PARENT AND SO I REALLY NEED TO GET A COLLEGE EDUCATION IN ORDER TO PROVIDE A BETTER LIFE FOR MY SON AND MYSELF. AND SO I'M GOING TO DO WHAT'S NECESSARY IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THAT FOR HIM. AND BY DOING SO, BY TAKING OUT THE LOANS, I'M GOING TO BE ABLE TO LOOK BACK AND THINK I PUT MYSELF DLOO COLLEGE. I PAID MY OWN WAY TO COLLEGE. AND SO WHAT YOU NEED TO DO AS STUDENTS AND AS PARENTS IS SIT DOWN, LOOK AT WHAT'S -- WHAT SCHOOL YOU'RE GOING TO, MAP OUT WHAT YOU NEED TO PAY FOR, TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE BOOKS, ALL THE COSTS, HOUSING, LIVING, EVERY COST YOU CAN THINK OF. THEN APPLY FOR THE FASA, GO ON LINE, GO TO YOUR LIBRARYIES, GO TO YOUR COUNSELORS AT SCHOOL. YOU KNOW, EVEN VISIT THE SCHOOL THAT YOU'RE GOING TO ATTEND. MOST TIMES THE FINANCIAL AID DEPARTMENT AT THE SCHOOL WILL HAVE A BOOK THAT'S AVAILABLE TO THEM AND TO YOU TO FIND OUT ABOUT DIFFERENT SCHOLARSHIPS. APPLY EARLY. APPLY EARLY AS POSSIBLE. AND LIKE I SAID ASK QUESTIONS. IF YOU CAN'T FIND SOMETHING, ASK QUESTIONS. THERE'S MORE THAN TONS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE WILLING TO HELP. SO GOOD LUCK. APPLY EARLY AND I HOPE YOU GUYS ENJOY THE REST OF THE BROADCAST. AND THANK YOU. >> Gwin: WELCOME TO THE THIRD ANNUAL "CASH FOR COLLEGE" TELECAST. I'M YOUR HOST FOR TONIGHT, GWIN FAULCONER-LIPPERT. GAUGING BY THE HUNDREDS OF PHONE CALLS RECEIVED BY OUR PHONE BANK VOLUNTEERS THE LAST TWO YEARS, "CASH FOR COLLEGE" HAS BEEN A BIG SUCCESS. THIS EVENING YOU WILL HEAR ABOUT FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS THAT CAN HELP OPEN THE DOOR TO THE COLLEGE OF YOUR CHOICE AND HOW YOU CAN START PLANNING FINANCIALLY FOR COLLEGE RIGHT NOW, EVEN IF YOU ARE IN GRADE SCHOOL OR MIDDLE SCHOOL. YOU WILL WANT TO HAVE A PENCIL AND PAPER HANDY FOR THE REST OF THE TELECAST BECAUSE WE'LL BE SHARING LOTS OF INFORMATION WITH YOU. HAVE YOU DREAMED ABOUT GOING TO COLLEGE? THINK YOU CAN'T AFFORD IT? THEN YOU NEED TO LISTEN CLOSELY TONIGHT TO WHAT WE HAVE TO SAY. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, YOUR STATE GOVERNMENT AND THE HIGHER EDUCATION COMMUNITY PROVIDE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS EVERY YEAR TO PEOPLE JUST LIKE YOU. LAST YEAR OKLAHOMA GAVE OVER $34 MILLION TO STUDENTS IN THE FORM OF SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS. THAT'S JUST OKLAHOMA, AND THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY. IN THE NEXT HOUR YOU WILL HEAR FROM EXPERTS WHO WILL COVER THE FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION PROCESS, DESCRIBE THE PROGRAMS AND PROVIDE OTHER INFORMATION THAT WILL BE HELPFUL IN YOUR COLLEGE SEARCH. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE THINGS WE WILL TALK ABOUT HERE TONIGHT, BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE "CASH FOR COLLEGE" WEBSITE. YOU CAN SEE THE WEB ADDRESS NOW ON YOUR SCREEN, AND YOU WILL DEFINITELY WANT TO WRITE THIS DOWN. ON THIS WEBSITE YOU WILL FIND OTHER INFORMATION INCLUDING LINKS TO OTHER SITES THAT CONTAIN EVEN MORE HELPFUL STUFF ABOUT FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS. IF YOU DON'T HAVE INTERNET ACCESS AT HOME, REMEMBER YOU CAN VISIT YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY OR GO TO YOUR SCHOOL LIBRARY TO GET ON LINE AND ACCESS ALL OF THIS INFORMATION. IN ADDITION TO THE SPEAKERS WHO YOU WILL HEAR THROUGHOUT THE TELECAST, WE ALSO HAVE 24 STUDENT FINANCIAL AID ADMINISTRATORS MANNING THE PHONES AND WAITING TO TAKE YOUR CALLS DURING THE NEXT HOUR. WRITE THIS DOWN. THE TOLL-FREE NUMBER IS 1-800-858-1840. YOU CAN NOW SEE THAT NUMBER AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN. AFTER TONIGHT YOU CAN STILL CALL THAT NUMBER TO GET YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED BECAUSE IT IS A PERMANENT NUMBER PROVIDED BY THE OKLAHOMA STATE REGENTS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION. BY CALLING THAT NUMBER YOU CAN TALK TO A STAFF MEMBER WHO WILL ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS AND SEND YOU INFORMATION UPON REQUEST. YOU CAN RECEIVE ALL KINDS OF INFORMATION ABOUT PREPARING FOR COLLEGE, FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION MATERIALS, INFORMATION ON THE OKLAHOMA 529 COLLEGE SAVINGS PLAN THAT YOU WILL HEAR MORE ABOUT IN TONIGHT'S TELECAST AND OKLAHOMA'S COLLEGE CAMPUSES, EVEN A VIDEO THAT CAN HELP YOU PLAN FOR COLLEGE. IN ADDITION TO EVERYTHING YOU WILL HEAR AND SEE TONIGHT, YOU WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE PART IN A SPECIAL EVENT CALLED "COLLEGE GOAL SUNDAY" ON FEBRUARY 8. THAT DAY BETWEEN 2:00 AND 4:00 P.M. STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES CAN VISIT WITH FINANCIAL AID COUNSELORS AND COLLEGE STAFF IN MORE THAN 30 LOCATIONS AROUND THE STATE. AT THE END OF THE TELECAST WE'LL TELL YOU A LITTLE MORE ABOUT COLLEGE GOAL SUNDAY AND PROVIDE A LIST OF ALL THE COLLEGE GOAL SUNDAY LOCATIONS. BEGINNING TOMORROW YOU CAN ALSO CALL THE NUMBER ON THE BOTTOM OF THE SCREEN TO HEAR THE LIST OF COLLEGE GOAL SUNDAY LOCATIONS IN YOUR AREA. >> : TWO ORGANIZATIONS HAVE PARTNERED TO PLAN AND PRODUCE TONIGHT'S TELECAST FOR YOU: THE OKLAHOMA STATE REGENTS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION AND THE OKLAHOMA ASSOCIATION OF STUDENT FINANCIAL AID ADMINISTRATORS. JOINING ME NOW IS VICKI HENDRICKSON, PRESS OF THE OKLAHOMA ASSOCIATION OF STUDENT FINANCIAL AID ADMINISTRATORS AND DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL AID AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TULSA ALONG WITH DR. PAUL RISSER, CHANCELLOR OF THE OKLAHOMA STATE REGENTS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION. WELCOME TO BOTH OF YOU. VICKI, MEMBERS OF YOUR PROFESSION ARE COMMITTED TO HELPING STUDENTS FINANCE THEIR EDUCATIONS. WHAT LASTING IMPRESSION DO YOU WANT OUR VIEWERS TO TAKE WITH THEM FROM TONIGHT'S TELECAST? IERCHGHTS WHAT I WOULD LIKE OUR VIEWERS TO UNDERSTAND IS THAT ACHIEVEING EDUCATION BEYOND HIGH SCHOOL IS ESSENTIAL IN THEM MEET MEETING THEIR CAREER OBJECTIVES. IT'S IMPORTANT THAT THEY UNDERSTAND THAT OBTAINING A POST SECONDARY EDUCATION IN OKLAHOMA CAN BE VERY AFFORDABLE WITH THE RESOURCES AND PROGRAMS THAT ARE AVAILABLE. WE AS FINANCIAL AID ADMINISTRATORS DEAL DAY IN AND DAY OUT WITH THESE FAMILYIES AND STUDENTS DEALING WITH THE PRESSURE OF TRYING TO FIND ENOUGH MONEY TO BE ABLE TO FUND THEIR EDUCATION. AND WE ARE FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO HELP THEM WITH THE APPLICATION PROCESS AND BEING ABLE TO FIND THE FUNDING TO BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE THESE EDUCATION. I'M JOINED TONIGHT BY 24 OF MY COLLEAGUES HERE TO ANSWER THESE FINANCIAL AID QUESTIONS AND TO TAKE THE MYSTERY OUT OF THAT PROCESS. I'M CONFIDENT THAT OUR VIEWERS WILL UNDERSTAND TONIGHT WHEN THEY LEAVE THAT THEY'LL HAVE ENOUGH RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO APPLY FOR AND RECEIVE FINANCIAL AID. >> Gwin: THAT'S SO ENCOURAGEING. >> : IT IS AN ENCOURAGEING PROCESS. THE FINANCIAL AID PROGRAM IN OKLAHOMA HAS AN IMPACT ON THE POST SECONDARY EDUCATION THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS PROCLAIMED THE TIME FROM JANUARY 25th THROUGH FEBRUARY 25th AS FINANCIAL AID AWARENESS AND SEVERAL SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE STATE WILL BE HOSTING SPECIAL EVENTS. THE GRAND IF I NALY IS COLLEGE GOAL SUNDAY. >> : R. >> Gwin: THANK YOU SO MUCH. CHANCELLOR RISSER, WHAT WOULD YOU SHARE THIS EVENING TO ENCOURAGE STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES TO PURSUE AN EDUCATION BEYOND HIGH SCHOOL? I REALLY DO WANT TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE IN OKLAHOMA AND RECOGNIZE NOT ONLY HOW IMPORTANT A COLLEGE EDUCATION IS, BUT REALLY HOW EASY IT IS TO OBTAIN IN THIS STATE. WE'RE VERY FRTUNATE. AS VICKI SAID WE HAVE A WIDE RANGE OF FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITYIES FOR STUDENTS, SOME OF THE MONEY COMES FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. SOME COMES FROM THE STATE, SOME COMES FROM INSTITUTIONS. THERE REALLY IS LOTS OF MONEY AVAILABLE. I WANT TONE COURAGE PEOPLE TO REALIZE THAT THE OBSTACLE THAT THEY THINK, MONEY, MAY NOT BE A BIG OBSTACLE. MORE THAN HALF OF OUR STUDENTS HAVE FINANCIAL AID. I ALSO WANT TO POINT OUT THAT A COLLEGE DEGREE MAKES LIFE MORE FULL. BUT IT'S ALSO ABSOLUTELY CRUCIAL IN TERMS OF THE FUTURE. IF YOU LOOK AT THE PROJECTIONS FOR JOB OPPORTUNITYIES, HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES IN THE YEAR 2012 IS ACTUALLY A FEWER NUMBER OF JOBS FOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES WHEREAS COLLEGE GRADUATES ARE LOOKING AT A 30 OR 40% INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF JOBS. IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO GET A COLLEGE DEGREE. LASTLY, I WANT TO POINT OUT IN OKLAHOMA THAT WE'RE VERY FORTUNATE BECAUSE WE HAVE A LARGE NUMBER OF COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES, SOME PUBLIC AND SOME PRIVATE, COMMUNITY COLLEGES COLLEGES, REGIONAL UNIVERSITIES, LARGE UNIVERSITIES. AND SO I THINK THE CHAL INC.S PEOPLE THINK THEY HAVE ARE FINANCIAL. OKLAHOMA WE HAVE VERY GOOD FINANCIAL AID. THEY HAVE A CHALLENGE ABOUT WHEREING TO, BUT WE HAVE A WIDE RANGE OF COLLEGES. SO I JUST WANT TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO REALIZE THAT COLLEGE REALLY IS ACHIEVABLE. AND WHEN THEY DO THEY WILL BE REWARDED NOT ONLY IN AN ECONOMIC SENSE, BUT THEIR LIFE WILL BE RICHER. >> Gwin: THIS IS PRETTY EXCITEING TO HAVE ALL 24 PHONES RING AT ONCE. AREN'T YOU GLAD YOU'RE HERE? >> : IT'S WONDERFUL. AS VICKI SAID HER COLLEAGUES ARE HERE ANSWERING QUESTIONS. SO WHAT MIGHT HAVE SEEMED LIKE A CHALLENGING PROCESS CAN BE MADE MUCH SIMPLER TONIGHT BY CALLING AND GETTING ANSWERS >> Gwin: THANK YOU, CHANCELLOR. . THIS IS CASH FOR COLLEGE. WE'RE ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW TO GET DOLLARS, CASH TO GO TO COLLEGE >> Gwin: JOINING ME NOW IS DERWIN SIMPSON FROM . OSU-STILLWATER TO TALK ABOUT HOW FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS HELP MILLIONS OF STUDENTS EVERY YEAR. D.J., MANY PEOPLE MAY HAVE READ COLLEGE CATALOGS OR VISITED SCHOOL WEBSITES AND HAVE EXPERIENCED STICKER SHOCK. SHOULD STUDENTS LIMIT THEIR COLLEGE SEARCHES BASED ON THIS INFORMATION? WELL, FIRST, GWIN, LAST YEAR OVER 105 BILLION DOLLAR WERE GIVEN TO STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTS TO HELP ASSIST THEM WITH COLLEGE COSTS. OF THAT 105 BILLION, 71 BILLION WERE IN THE FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS. THAT'S GRANTS, FEDERAL WORK STUDY AS WELL AS STUDENT AND PARENT LOANS. AND OF THOSE PROGRAMS, 25 BILLION DOLLAR WAS SET ASIDE FOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS OR WERE GIVEN TO STUDENTS AND PARENTS THAT DID NOT TAKE THEIR INCOME INTO CONSIDERATION WHATSOEVER. SO THERE'S A FORM OF FINANCIAL AID OUT THERE FOR EVERYONE AND IT'S BEING USED. AND IT IS ASSISTING KIDS TO GET AN EDUCATION. SECOND, NO KID SHOULD ELIMINATE ANY COLLEGE THAT THEY ARE ACTUAL ACTUALLY SERIOUS ABOUT ATTENDING BASED ON COST ALONE. YOU NEED TO COMPLETE THE FINANCIAL AID PROCESS AT THE SCHOOL YOU'RE GOING TO. THAT WAY YOU CAN DETERMINE THE COSTS THAT YOU HAVE ALONG WITH THE FINANCIAL AID THAT YOU'RE RECEIVING. THE DIFFERENCE IN THAT OR THE OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES THAT YOU'LL HAVE IS THE KEY TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT YOU CAN OR CANNOT AFFORD A COLLEGE >> Gwin: WHAT ARE THE BEST WAYS . FOR STUDENTS TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THESE PROGRAMS? BY FARIST IT'S THE INTERNET. SOME SCHOOLS YOU CAN DO A COMPLETELY PAPER LESS PROCESS. WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU GO TO THE SCHOOLS THAT YOU'RE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING. THE REASON BEING THAT THEIR WEB SITES WILL HAVE THEIR PROCESS WHICH IS DIFFERENT AT DIFFERENT SCHOOLS. IT WILL ALSO HAVE INFORMATION ON PRIORITY DATES, WHETHER THERE'S A SEPARATE APPLICATION PROCESS FOR DIFFERENT THINGS. AND THEY'LL ALSO HAVE CONTACT INFORMATION AS WELL AS LINKS USUALLY TO OTHER SITES THAT ARE INFORMATIVE AS FAR AS DIFFERENT WAYS YOU CAN RECEIVE FINANCIAL AID. I WOULD RECOMMEND THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S WEBSITE TO FIND OUT ABOUT THE FEDERAL PROGRAMS. THEY ALSO HAVE SOME SCHOLARSHIP SEARCHES AND OTHER LINKS AS WELL AS TO STATE ORGANIZATIONS WHERE CAN YOU FIND OUT ABOUT YOUR STATE PROGRAMS AND GRANTS. AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, MAKE SURE YOU GET IN CONTACT WITH THE SCHOOL YOU'RE PLANNING ON GOING TO BECAUSE THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE LEFT. THIS IS CASH FOR COLLEGE. YES, THERE ARE A LOT OF FINANCIAL AID COUNSELORS HERE. 24 IN FACT. THEY'RE ANSWERING YOUR PHONE CALLS. IF THE LINE IS BUSY, DON'T GET DISCOURAGEED. JUST WAIT A FEW SECONDS AND CALL RIGHT BACK. BECAUSE EVERY 2 OR 3 MINUTES YOU'LL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THAT CALL AND ASK YOUR QUESTIONS >> Gwin: LEAST LAST WEEK I HAD . THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH THRESSA BOWLER-SHOPEYIN FROM MOORE-NORMAN TECHNOLOGY CENTER AND JEROME WICHERT FROM FRANCIS TUTTLE TECHNOLOGY CENTER ABOUT THE FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION PROCESS, AND WE WANT TO SHARE THAT CONVERSATION WITH YOU NOW. I STARTED BY ASKING THRESSA HOW SOMEONE WOULD APPLY. >> : WELL, TO APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID WE NEED TO KEEP IN MIND THAT IT'S A PROCESS. YOU MUST COMPLETE THE APPLICATION WHICH IS CALLED THE FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID. IT'S ALSO CALLED THE FAFSA FORM. THIS FORM CAN BE USED TO APPLY FOR THE GRANT PROGRAMS, THE STUDENT LOAN PROGRAM, WORK STUDY AND THE STATE GRANT WHICH IS ALSO CALLED THE OKLAHOMA TUITION AID GRANT. WE JUST ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO COMPLETE THE APPLICATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO STARTED THE PROCESS. THE APPLICATION IS AVAILABLE AS A HARD COPY AS WELL AS ON LINE AT WWW.FAFSA.ED.GOV. >> Gwin: JEROME, HOW DIFFICULT IS IT TO FILL OUT THE FORM? >> : IT'S REALLY NOT THAT DIFFICULT. MOST PEOPLE GET CONCERNED WHEN THEY HAVE TO FILL OUT A FORM. WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU GET THE 2003 TAX FORM COMPLETEED AND THEN FILL OUT THE FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID. ONCE YOU GET THAT FORM, YOU MAY NEED OTHER DOCUMENTS SUCH AS 1099S, W-2S OR OTHER DOCUMENTS THAT SHOW UNTAXED INCOME. ONCE YOU HAVE THOSE THINGS TOGETHER, IT'S PRETTY EASY TO COMPLETE THE APPLICATION. AND YOU ALSO NEED TO REMEMBER THAT SOMETIMES YOUR FINANCIAL AID OFFICE WILL NEED TO ASK YOU FOR COPYIES OF THOSE FORMS TO COMPLETE THEIR PROCESSES. >> Gwin: SO THEY USE COPYIES OF THE INFORMATION AS WELL? >> : ABSOLUTELY. BUT YOU WILL KNOW IF YOU NEED TO TURN IT IN, THE SCHOOL WILL ASK YOU FOR COPIES IF THEY NEED TO GET COPIES FROM YOU. IT'S A GOOD IDEA TO KEEP THOSE JUST IN CASE THE SCHOOL NEEDS THOSE. >> Gwin: ALWAYS KEEP A COPY. I LIKE THAT. SO IS IT BETTER TO APPLY THROUGH THE MAIL OR ELECTRONICALLY, THRESSA? >> : I WOULD SAY THE QUICKEST WAY TO APPLY AND THE BEST WAY TO APPLY IS ON LINE AT THE FAFSA .E FAFSA .ED.GOV BECAUSE IT'S A MORE EFFICIENT PROCESS. USUALLY WHEN STUDENTS COMPLETE THE APPLICATION AS A HARD COPY SOMETIMES THEY MAY LEAVE APPLICATION BLANK. THE ELECTRONIC VERSION WILL ALLOW THEM IF THEY LEAVE INFORMATION BLANK TO FILL IN THE BLANKS. JUST MAKE THEM -- NOTIFY THEM THAT THEY HAVE LEFT INFORMATION BLANK ON THE FORM AND SO THEY WON'T BE ABLE TO SUBMIT IT AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE. ALSO, THEY WILL NEED A PIN PIN NUMBER IN ORDER TO FILE THE APPLICATION REALLY QUICK. TO GET A PIN NUMBER THEY'LL NEED TO GO TO THAT SAME ADDRESS AND CLICK ON PIN REQUEST THP. THEELD NEED INFORMATION SUCH AS SOCIAL SECURITY INFORMATION, BIRTHDATE AND WE ALSO RECOMMEND AN E-MAIL ADDRESS. IF THEY DO HAVE AN E-MAIL ADDRESS, THEY'LL RECEIVE THEIR INFORMATION A LOT QUICKER AT THAT POINT. THE PIN NUMBER IS WHAT I'M SAY SAYING THEY WILL RECEIVE A LOT QUICKER. THEN THEY WILL GO ON FINE AND COMPLETE THE FORM. SO THEY'LL NEED THEIR PIN NUMBER AND THEN THEY WILL GO ON LINE AND COMPLETE THE FAFSA FORM. WE JUST ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO COMPLETE THE APPLICATION AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE. WHETHER THEY COMPLETE THE HARD COPY OR USE THE ON LINE VERSION. >> Gwin: SO JEROME, ARE THERE SPECIFIC DATES THAT THEY SHOULD BE LOOKING TOWARD? >> : THERE SURE ARE. YOU WANT TO APPLY AS EARLY AS YOU CAN. HAVE YOU TO REMEMBER THAT THE APPLICATION CAME OUT ACTUALLY THE FIRST OF THIS MONTH. AND IT'S ACTUALLY BEEN AVAILABLE FOR A WHILE HP. HOWEVER MOST PEOPLE DON'T FILE THEIR TAX FORMS UNTIL JANUARY 30 JANUARY 30. SO WE RECOMMEND THAT AS OF JANUARY 30 ONCE YOU'VE FILED YOUR TAX FORM YOU GO FILE YOUR FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID. IT'S EASIER IF YOU HAVE THE TAX FORM COMPLETEED FIRST. HOWEVER, IF YOU DON'T HAVE IT COMPLETEED AND YOU'RE NOT GOING TO DO YOUR TAXES BEFORE MARCH OR APRIL, WE WOULD RECOMMEND THAT YOU TAKE YOUR W-2 FORMS AND ESTIMATE YOUR INCOME ON THE FAFS FAFSAS? GO AHEAD AND APPLY. THAT WAY YOU GET YOUR APPLICATION IN EARLY. SCHOOLS HAVE TO WORK WITH PRIORITY DATES FOR FUNDING PURPOSES. THEY USE PRIORITY DATES TO DETERMINE AMOUNTS OF SCHOLARSHIPS AND THINGS LIKE THAT. SO IT'S IMPORTANT IF YOU HAVEN'T FILED YOUR TAX FORM THAT YOU GO AHEAD AND ESTIMATE YOUR INCOME AND GET YOUR APPLICATION PROCESSED. THE OTHER THING YOU NEED TO REMEMBER IS THE OKLAHOMA TUITION AID GRANT PROGRAM, THE DEADLINE FOR IT IS APRIL 30th. SO YOU WANT TO BE SURE THAT YOU DEFINITELY MEET THE APRIL 30th APRIL 30th DEADLINE TO GET FUNDING FROM THE OKLAHOMA TUITION AID GRANT PROGRAM. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT DEADLINES, ALWAYS REMEMBER TO CONTACT THE FINANCIAL AID OFFICE OFFICE. THE FINANCIAL AID ADMINISTRATORS ARE THERE TO HELP YOU WITH DEADLINE DATES OR ANY APPLICATION PROCESS QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE. >> Gwin: SOUNDS LIKE TO ME THAT THAT WWW ADDRESS IS VERY IMPORTANT. WHAT IS IT AGAIN? >> : WWW.FAFSA.ED.GOV. THAT'S WHERE YOU CAN FILL OUT THE FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID. >> Gwin: SOUNDS LIKE IT'S VERY QUICK AND EASY.S SOME KIND OF CAREER COUNSELING. >> Gwin: THIS IS CASH FOR COLLEGE. AS YOU CAN SEE, IT'S VERY EXCITE EXCITING HERE THIS EVENING. WE'RE ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW TO GET CATCH FOR COLLEGE. NOW, WE WANT TO CHECK IN WITH ONE OF OUR PHONE BANK VOLUNTEERS VOLUNTEERS. LET ME WALK OVER HERE AND SEE IF I CAN FIND ONE. WHAT IS YOUR NAME AND WHERE ARE YOU FROM? A. I'M STEVE DAFFER WITH ROSE STATE COLLEGE. >> Gwin: THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE THIS EVENING. TELL US ABOUT WHAT YOU'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT. >>> I'VE HAD SEVERAL CALLS THIS EVENING ON JUST THE GENERAL FINANCIAL AID PROCESS. HOW TO FILL OUT THE FORMS, WHAT TYPES OF AID YOU'RE APPLYING FOR THROUGH THE FAFSA FORM. THEN I'VE HAD A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS WITH STUDENTS OR PARENTS WHO HAVE SPECIAL SITUATIONS. ONE IN GENERAL WAS A LOSS OF EMPLOYMENT AND IF THERE'S ANYTHING THAT THEY CAN DO TO REFLECT THAT REDUCED INCOME ON THEIR FORM. AND THERE IS. IF THEY CAN GO -- THEY NEED TO SPEAK TO THE FINANCIAL AID OFFICE AT THE SCHOOL THEY'RE GOING TO ATTEND AND THEY CAN POSSIBLY MAKE SOME ADJUSTMENTS TO THEIR INCOME IF THE SITUATION WARRANTS. YOU MAKE IT SOUND SIMPLE. >> : I WANT TO ADD THAT IF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE APPLYING, IF THEY JUST KEEP IN TOUCH WITH THE FINANCIAL AID OFFICE AT THE SCHOOL THEY'RE A I TENDING IT WILL HELP MAKE THE PROCESS EASIER AND THEY CAN HELP WALK THROUGH THE PROCESS. >> Gwin: THANK YOU SO MUCH >> Gwin: THANK YOU. THIS IS CASH FOR COLLEGE. WE'RE ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW TO GET DOLLARS TO GO TO COLLEGE >> Gwin: NOW LARRY HOLLINGSWORTH . LARRY WANTS TO TALK ABOUT THE FEDERAL STUDENT AIDS PROGRAMS. LET'S TALK ABOUT ONE OF MY FAVORITE SUBJECTS, FREE MONEY. DOESN'T THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENTAL KATE A LOT OF MONEY TO GRANT PROGRAMS? >> : YES. THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT. AND THE LARGEST SINGLE SOURCE OF GIFT AID COMES FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THROUGH A PROGRAM CALLED THE PELL GRANT. THEY ARE AVAILABLE TO UNDER GRAT WATT STUDENTS WITH FINANCIAL NEED AND THE AWARDS RANGE FROM 400 TO $4,050 A YEAR. NOW, IN ADDITION THERE IS A FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY GRANT, COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS SEOG WHICH IS AVAILABLE TO THE NEEDIEST STUDENTS. AND SUPPLEMENTAL GRANTS TYPICALLY ARE AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS ELIGIBLE FOR PELL PELL GRANTS. THE RANGE OF A SUPPLEMENTAL GRANT IS FROM 1,000 -- EXCUSE ME ME, 100 TO $4,000. SO YOU'LL HAVE CASES WHERE SOME STUDENTS WILL GET BOTH A PELL PELL GRANT AND A SUPPLEMENTAL GRANT. NOW, HOW DOES ONE APPLY FOR THOSE? YOU'VE HEARD THE DESCRIPTION THE FAFSA. IT'S VERY SIMPLE. I CANNOT OVEREMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF A STUDENT COMPLETE COMPLETING THAT FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID AS SOON AS THEY CAN SO THAT SCHOOLS CAN ASSESS THEIR ELIGIBILITY FOR THESE FREE MONEY PROGRAMS. NOW, THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA ALSO HAS FREE MONEY PROGRAMS. THERE IS THROUGH -- WE SAW AT THE VERY BEGINNING MOST OF THE NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES HAVE EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE FOR THEIR MEMBERS. AND THE PROCESS MAY VARY A LITTLE BIT FROM TRIBE TO TRIBE. SO IT'S IMPORTANT FOR STUDENTS TO GO TO THEIR RESPECTIVE TRIBES TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE APPLICATION PROCESS. AND THEN THROUGH THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA THERE ARE ALSO FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS WHO HAVE DISABILITYIES. IT'S CALLED THE VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION PROGRAM. AND WE HAVE VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION COUNSELORS THROUGHOUT THE STATE. SO IF A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT IS HAVING TROUBLE FINDING A LOCAL COUNSELOR, I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT THEY TALK TO THEIR HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELOR WHO COULD HELP HOOK THEM UP WITH THEIR LOCAL VOCATIONAL REHAB COUNSELOR. >> Gwin: IS THERE ALSO A WORK STUDY KIND OF PROGRAM? >>> YES. THERE ARE SELF HELP PROGRAMS AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS. THERE ARE TWO KINDS. THE LOW INTEREST STUDENT LOANS. THE FEDERAL STAFFORD LOAN. THE FEDERAL PERKINS LOAN NP AND THE FEDERAL DIRECT LOAN. THOSE ARE ALL LOW INTEREST LOANS THAT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE REPAID WHILE THE STUDENTS ARE IN SCHOOL SCHOOL. PARENTS DON'T HAVE TO COSIGN. THEY'RE EXCELLENT LOAN OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS WHILE THEY'RE IN SCHOOL. THOSE ARE CALLED SELF-HELP PROGRAMS. THEN THE WORK PROGRAMS ARE VERY POPULAR. THERE'S A FEDERALLY FUNDED WORK PROGRAM CALLED THE FEDERAL WORK STUDY PROGRAM. AND STUDENTS HAVE OPPORTUNITYIES TO WORK ON CAMPUS AS WELL AS OFF CAMPUS AND DO COMMUNITY SERVICE. THEY'RE WONDERFUL WORK OPPORTUNITIES. AND SO YOU CAN SEE GRANTS AND LOANS AND WORK. THERE'S JUST LOTS OF OPPORTUNITIES OUT THERE FOR STUDENTS TO SEEK FINANCIAL AID. BUT THE KEY IS TO FILL OUT THAT FAFSA. YOU'VE GOT TO DO THAT. AND NOW THAT WE HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR ABOUT THE FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION PROCESS AND MANY OF THE PROGRAMS THAT ARE AVAILABLE, LET'S HEAR WHAT A COUPLE OF FRANCIS TUTTLE STUDENTS HAVE TO SAY. >> : I'M AWARE THAT THERE ARE FINANCIAL AID SCAMS. BUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE SOMEBODY TO DO ALL YOUR PAPERWORK FOR FINANCIAL AID. YOU CAN JUST GO STRAIGHT THROUGH YOUR FINANCIAL AID OFFICE AT YOUR FACILITY. AS FAR AS I'M AWARE, EVERY EDUCATIONAL FACILITY HAS SOME KIND OF CAREER COUNSELING. HERE PERSONALLY AT FRANCIS TUTTLE WE HAVE THE CAREER PLAN PLANNING CENTER. AND EVERYTHING YOU NEED, EVERY QUESTION YOU NEED ANSWERED IS ALL RIGHT THERE IN THAT OFFICE. AND SO I PERSONALLY WOULD ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO AT LEAST CHECK WITH THEIR FACILITY AND THEIR PLANNING CENTER ON THEIR OWN CAMPUS. IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO APPLY EARLY. THE DEADLINE LAST YEAR AND I BELIEVE IT IS THIS YEAR IS APRIL THE 30th. IF YOU GET YOUR PAPERWORK IN QUICKER, YOU CAN QUALIFY FOR EITHER HIGHER FUNDS OR EVEN SCHOLARSHIPS. THERE'S JUST MORE FUNDING IN IT FOR YOU PERSONALLY IF YOU GET YOUR PAPER WORK IN EARLY AND ON TIME. >> : THE DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR MY FINANCIAL AID JUST CONSISTED OF MY TAX FORMS TO MAKE SURE THAT I QUALIFYIED. BECAUSE I MET THE REQUIREMENTS AND AM OVER THE AGE OF 24 I DID NOT HAVE TO REPORT PA REPT ALL TAXES -- PARENTAL TAXES OR GIVE ANY INFORMATION REGARDING THAT. I RECEIVED THE OTAG OR OKLAHOMA TUITION AND AID GRANT. I WAS NOT AWARE AT FIRST THAT YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO PAY THAT BACK BACK. BUT FOUND OUT THAT IT WAS INDEED A GRANT FROM OKLAHOMA. I HAD TWO OPTIONS TO APPLY FOR MY FINANCIAL AID. ONE WAS ON LINE AND THE OTHER WAS TO GO THROUGH THE FINANCIAL AID OFFICE. I ELECTED TO DEAL WITH PEOPLE PERSONALLY AND FOUND THAT TO BE THE BEST ROUTE FOR ME. IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO HAVE YOUR DOCUMENTS AND ALL OF YOUR BACK- BACK-UP PAPERWORK READY WHEN YOU APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID. IT SPEEDS THE PROCESS UP AND MAKE SURE THAT YOU GET YOUR MONEY ON TIME. >> Gwin: HELLO. THE PHONE NUMBER TO CALL AND FIND OUT INFORMATION ABOUT HOW YOU CAN GET CASH FOR COLLEGE . >> Gwin: EARLIER I MENTIONED HOW MUCH FINANCIAL AID MONEY WAS AWARDED LAST YEAR BY THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA TO STUDENTS. DOLORES MIZE OF THE OKLAHOMA STATE REGENTS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION IS WITH US NOW TO TALK ABOUT OKLAHOMA'S SCHOLARSHIP AND GRANT PROGRAMS. DOLORES, THANKS FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT. TELL US ABOUT ABOUT THE DIFFERENT PROGRAMS. >> : THERE ARE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF FINANCIAL AID AVAILABLE FROM THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA FOR OKLAHOMA STUDENTS. IT'S JUST THEIRS FOR THE TAKING. AND THE STATE REGENTS ADMINISTER SOME VERY IMPORTANT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS. ONE THAT I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT IS THE OKLAHOMA HIGHER LEARNING ACCESS PROGRAM OR OLAP. IT'S A PROGRAM ALREADY HELPED THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS ACHIEVE THEIR DREAM OF A COLLEGE EDUCATION. OLAP IS AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS WHOSE FAMILY INCOMES ARE $50,000 $50,000 OR LESS. STUDENTS HAVE TO ENROLL IN THE 8 8th OR, 9th OR 10th GRADE, AGREE TO TAKE CERTAIN CLASSES IN HIGH SCHOOL. MAINTAIN A 2.5 GRADE POINT AVERAGE AND BE GOOD CITIZENS IN HIGH SCHOOL. ONCE THEY COMPLETE THAT PROGRAM THEY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE FREE TUITION UP TO THE BACK LAR YAT DEGREE OR FIVE YEARS, WHICH EVER COMES FIRST. THAT'S A WONDERFUL PROGRAM. ANOTHER PROGRAM THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE STATE REGENTS IS THE AM DECKIC -- ACADEMIC SCHOLARS PROGRAM. THIS IS AVAILABLE TO OUTSTANDING ACADEMIC PREPAREED STUDENTS. THEY COME OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL READY TO GO TO COLLEGE. STUDENTS CAN ENROLL AND BE ELT JIBL IN A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT WAYS. THEY NEED TO GO TO THE STATE REGENTS WEBSITE OR CALL ONE OF THE PEOPLE HERE TONIGHT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THAT PROGRAM. AND FINALLY SARAH MENTIONED THE OTAG PROGRAM. THE OKLAHOMA TUITION AID GRANT PROGRAM. THAT IS A NEED-BASED GRANT PROGRAM AVAILABLE TO ANYONE WHO IS ATTENDING FULL-TIME OR PART-TIME UNDERGRADUATE COURSES. BUT IT IS NEED-BASED. AND YOU HAVE TO FILL OUT YOUR FA FAFSA IN ORDER TO QUALIFY. THE EARLIER YOU FILL OUT THE FORM, THE BETTER. YOUR BEST CONSIDERATION FOR THE OTAG PROGRAM IS TO FILL YOUR FAF FAFSA APPLICATION OUT BY APRIL APRIL 30th. IECH HEARD OF ONE OTHER PROGRAM. IT'S MY FAVORITE BECAUSE OF THE NAME. TELL US ABOUT GEAR UP. >> : IT IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE PROGRAMS, TOO. GEAR UP IS A WONDERFUL FEDERAL PROGRAM AND I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT OKLAHOMA IS ALREADY IN ITS FIFTH YEAR OF ADMINISTERING GEAR UP. WE'RE AT 145 SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND WE'RE PROVIDEING STUDENTS WITH EARLY COLLEGE AWARENESS THROUGH MENTORSHIPS, ACADEMIC PREPARATION PROGRAMS IN SCHOOLS AND ALSO THROUGH MAKING STUDENTS AWARE OF THE OLAP PROGRAM. THERE ARE A LOT OF STUDENTS IN OKLAHOMA THAT COULD QUALIFY FOR OLAP THAT HAVE NOT APPLIED. FOR GEAR UP I WANT TO ISSUE A SPECIAL CHALLENGE TO 8th, 9 9th AND 10th GRADE STUDENTS IN OKLAHOMA. TALK TO YOUR PARENTS TONIGHT AND IF YOU BELIEVE THAT CAN YOU QUALIFY FOR OLAP, THAT YOUR FAMILY INCOME IS 50,000 OR LESS, MAKE TOMORROW THE DAY THAT YOU MAKE THE DECISION TO GO TALK TO YOUR TEACHER OR COUNSELOR AND ASK THEM TO HELP YOU APPLY. IF YOU DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE TALKING TO YOUR TEACHER OR COUNSELOR, CALL OUR 800 NUMBER. YOU CAN DOWN LOAD THE APPLICATION IN BOTH ENGLISH AND SPANISH OFF THE STATE REGENTS WEBSITE. SO OLAP IS SO IMPORTANT I WOULD LIKE FOR ALL OF THE STUDENTS IN 8th, 9th AND 10th GRADE TO MAKE TOMORROW THE DAY THEY ACCESS OLA. AND FINALLY AS IMPORTANT AS IT IS TO ACCESS FINANCIAL AID FOR COLLEGE, IT'S IMPORTANT TO BE ACADEMICALLY PREPAREED. AND WE'VE GOT A GROUP OF YOUNG OKLAHOMANS THAT ARE PART OF GEAR UP AND HAVE A MESSAGE FOR YOUR VIEWERS TONIGHT. >> Gwin: LET'S SEE WHAT THESE STUDENTS HAVE TO SAY. >> : MY TEACHER TOLD ME THAT I SHOULD PLAN FOR COLLEGE AS EARLY AS THE FIFTH GRADE. JUST MAKE SURE I TAKE THE COURSE COURSES I NEED TO SUCCEED IN COLLEGE. I IN FEND TO GET THE JOB IN THE FUTURE I WANT. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON YOU CAN DPEER UP FOR COLLEGE, VISIT THE WEBSITE . >> : I HAVE A PLAN FOR COLLEGE. DO YOU? DO YOU? DO YOU? DO YOU? DO YOU? >> Gwin: ONCE AGAIN, THE PHONE NUMBER . IT'S THE NUMBER FOR TONIGHT, BUT IT'S THE NUMBER YOU CAN USE 365 DAYS OUT OF THE YEAR TO FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION >> Gwin: LET'S WELCOME LINDA . BATES FROM PLATT COLLEGE. LINDA, SHEILA INTRODUCED US TO EDUCATIONAL LOAN PROGRAMS. ARE MOST STUDENTS ELIGIBLE TO BORROW? YES. STUDENTS ARE ELIGIBLE TO BORROW MONEY REGARDLESS OF THEIR INCOME IN THE FEDERAL FAMILY EDUCATION PROGRAM, THE FEDERAL DIRECT LOAN PROGRAM AND SOME INSTITUTIONAL LOAN PROGRAMS SUCH AS THE PERKINS LOAN PROGRAM. ALSO IN SOME CASES THE INTEREST ON THESE LOANS MAY BE PAID BY THE GOVERNMENT WHILE THE STUDENT IS IN SCHOOL. AND IN ADDITION, THESE LOANS -- SOME OF THESE LOANS DOONT HAVE -- HAVE THEIR INTEREST PAID FOR BY THE GOVERNMENT WHEN THEY'RE IN SCHOOL. >> Gwin: I'VE HEARD THERE'S A PARENT LOAN PROGRAM. >> : YES. THE PARENT PLUS PROGRAM IS AVAILABLE TO PARENTS OF DEPENDENT STUDENTS TO HELP WITH THEIR STUDENTS' EDUCATIONAL COST COSTS. UNLIKE THE STUDENT LOAN -- THE STUDENT LOANS, THESE LOANS ARE CREDIT BASED. AND IN THE CASE THAT A PARENT IS NOT APPROVED FOR THESE LOANS, OTHER FEDERAL LOAN OPTIONS MAY BE AVAILABLE TO THE PARENT. >> Gwin: WHAT ABOUT INTEREST RATES? >> : STUDENT LOAN INTEREST RATES ARE AT AN ALL-TIME LOW. CURRENTLY THE INTEREST RATES ON STUDENT LOANS MAY BE AS LOW AS 2.82% WITH PARENT LOANS ALSO BEING VERY INEXPENSIVE WITH RATES OF 4.22%. REPAYMENT OPTIONS OR REPAYMENT TERMS ON THESE LOANS ARE ALSO GREAT. TYPICALLY REPAYMENT BEGINS AFTER THE STUDENT IS OUT OF SCHOOL AND MOST STUDENTS AND PARENTS GET AT LEAST 10 YEARS TO REPAY THESE LOANS. TO SUM ARIZE, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT YOU MIGHT WANT TO EXPLORE YOUR OPTIONS WITH THESE LOANS AND COMPARE THEM TO COMMERCIAL LOANS AND TO CREDIT CARD LOANS SINCE THE INTEREST RATES ARE VERY LOW. AND ALSO SINCE REPAYMENT TERMS ARE VERY FIF RABL AND THEY O CARRY A VARIETY OF OPTIONS. SO, PLEASE, IF ANYBODY WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION ON THESE LOANS, PLEASE, GIVE US A CALL NOW. THANK YOU SO MUCH MUCH . WE'VE BEEN TELLING YOU ABOUT HOW YOU CAN GET CATCH FOR COLLEGE THE LEGITIMATE WAY >> Gwin: JOINING US NOW IS PAM . MCCONAHAY FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA TO ADDRESS SCHOLARSHIP SCAMS. ARE THERE A LOT OF SCAMS OUT THERE? >> : SOME OF THEM ARE CLASSICS. BECAUSE THEY COUNT ON STUDENTS AND PARENTS COMING INTO THE SYSTEM FOR THE FIRST TIME. THEY DON'T HAVE TO UPDATE THEIR SCAMS BECAUSE THEY'VE GOT A FRESH CROP OF NEW PEOPLE EVERY YEAR. ONE OF THE MOST COMMON IS TELLING YOU THAT THEY CAN GUARANTEE YOU A SCHOLARSHIP. NOBODY CAN GUARANTEE YOU A SCHOLARSHIP. AND THEY WANT TO YOU PAY A FEE TO APPLY FOR IT TO BOOT AND THAT THAT'S DEFINITELY NOT LEGITIMATE LEGITIMATE. ANOTHER PROBLEM IS PEOPLE WHO WANT YOU TO PAY A CONSULTANT TO FILL OUT YOUR APPLICATION FOR YOU. OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE LOTS OF PEOPLE HERE WHO ARE WELCOMING YOUR CALL CALLS AND ARE HAPPY TO HELP YOU FILL OUT A FAFSA. YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY SOMEBODY TO HELP YOU FIND FINANCIAL AID. ANOTHER OF THE BIGGEST SCAMS IS WANTING STUDENTS TO GIVE THEM BANK ACCOUNT NUMBERS, CREDIT CARD NUMBERS, TO CHARGE THESE THINGS TO OR HOLD A SCHOLARSHIP FOR YOU. NOT ONLY CAN THEY RIP OFF YOUR BANK ACCOUNT OR YOUR CREDIT CARD CARD, THAT'S AN OPEN DOOR TO IDENTITY THEFT NOW. YOU'VE GOT TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT THOSE KINDS OF THINGS. >> Gwin: AND YT IF I THEFT IS THE NEW THING WE NEED TO WATCH OUT FOR? >> : ABSOLUTELY. PEOPLE NEED TO GUARD THEIR INFORMATION AND MAKE SURE THEY DON'T GIVE OUT THEIR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS. IT'S LEGITIMATE FOR A SCHOLARSHIP AGENCY TO ASK YOU FOR THAT, BUT YOU SURE DON'T WANT TO BE GIVING THAT TO SOMEBODY WHO IS TRYING TO GET YOUR MONEY OR GET INTO YOUR BANK AT. >> Gwin: LET ME THROW IN AN EXTRA QUESTION. IF YOU APPLY ON LINE AND YOU'RE GIVING ALL THAT INFORMATION, CAN YOU FEEL SECURE? >> : ABSOLUTELY. THE FAFSA PROCESS ON LINE IS THE MOST SECURE PROCESS THAT WE HAVE HAVE. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS DEVOTEED A GREAT DEAL OF RESOURCE RESOURCES TO MAKING SURE THAT THE STUDENT AND THE PARENT INFORMATION IS VERY SAFELY GUARDED. >> Gwin: SO BE SURE YOU'RE WITH A LEGITIMATE FAFSA WEBSITE? >> : ABSOLUTELY. YOU CAN GO TO THE OKLAHOMA HIGH HIGHER ED WEBSITE AND IT WILL TAKE YOU TO THE FAFSA WEBSITE. REMEMBER FAFSA.ED.GOV. YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY TO FILE A FAFSA. FAFSA.COM WILL CHARGE TRY TO CHARGE YOU MONEY TO FILL OUT THE FREE APPLICATION. GO DIRECTLY TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WEBSITE AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY A FEE TO FILE A FAFS FAFSA. NOW, REMEMBER, THERE ARE 24 PEOPLE HERE ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS. SO IF THE LINE IS BUSY, DON'T GET DISCOURAGEED. JUST WAIT A FEW SECONDS AND THEN CALL BACK. LET'S DO A PHONE INTERVIEW. I HAVE SOMEONE IT LOOKS LIKE I WON'T BE INTERRUPTING. WHAT HAS BEEN THE QUESTION OF CHOICE TONIGHT? >> : HI, YVONNE MAXWELL, LANGSTON UNIVERSITY. AND I RECEIVED AN INTERESTING PHONE CALL FROM A MOTHER WHO SAID HER DAUGHTER'S RECEIVING A FULL SCHOLARSHIP AND SHE WANTED TO KNOW IF IT WAS REALLY WASTEING HER TIME FOR FILLING OUT A FREE APPLICATION FORM. I TOLD HER IT WAS NOT A WASTE OF HER TIME. SHE MAY QUALIFY FOR SOME FREE MONEY. SHE MAY EVEN GET SOME FEDERAL WORK STUDY MONEY. AND WE ENCOURAGE ALL STUDENTS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE FREE APPLICATION. >> Gwin: SO THERE'S MILLIONS OF DOLLARS STILL OUT THERE EVEN IF YOU HAVE A SCHOLARSHIP? >> : YES. THERE'S MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. >> Gwin: THAT'S VERY ENCOURAGEING ENCOURAGING. THANK YOU, DOLORES. I APPRECIATE IT. YOU CAN PUT YOUR PHONE BACK ON THE HOOK . WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE OKLAHOMA COLLEGE SAVINGS PLAN. IT'S AN IRS SECTION 529 PLAN. PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS CAN SAVE MONEY FOR COLLEGE AND PAY LESS STATE TAX. NOW IT IS MY PLEASURE TO WELCOME STATE TREASURER ROBERT BUTKIN. I HEAR THAT OUR OKLAHOMA COLLEGE SAVINGS PLAN IS A WINNER. MR. BUTKIN, WHAT ARE THE TAX BREAKS AND IS THERE ANYTHING SPECIAL ABOUT THE OKLAHOMA COLLEGE SAVINGS PLAN? >> : ONLY OUR PLAN PERMITS CONTRIBUTORS TO TAKE AN UP-FRONT TAX DEDUCTION OF UP TO $2,500 A YEAR AGAINST THEIR OKLAHOMA STATE TAXABLE INCOME. THAT'S IN ADDITION TO ALL THE WONDERFUL ADDITIONAL TAX ADVANTAGES WE HAVE. >> Gwin: THOSE WOULD BE THE TRACTION TAX BREAKS. ANYTHING ELSE SPECIAL ABOUT THE OKLAHOMA COLLEGE SAVINGS PLAN? >> : YOU CAN GET THAT UP FRONT TAX DEDUCTION. THE MONEY AS IT GROWS IS TAX FREE AS WELL. IT'S TAX FREE WHEN YOU START USING THE MONEY TO GO TO COLLEGE COLLEGE. CAN YOU USE THE MONEY TO GO TO TENS OF THOUSANDS OF COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES, TRADE SCHOOLS AND CAREER TECH INSTITUTIONS. IT IS TOTALLY FLEXIBLE, FRIENDLY AND TAX FRIENDLY. >> Gwin: INVESTMENT MARKETS HAVE ONLY RECENTLY STARTED TO REBOUND FROM MORE THAN A YEAR OF DISAPPOINTING RETURNS. IS NOW A GOOD TIME TO INVEST MONEY WITH THE OKLAHOMA COLLEGE SAVINGS PLAN? ANY TIME IS A GOOD TIME PARTICULARLY WITH THE WONDERFUL TAX ADVANTAGES. HISTORY SHOWS THAT OVER TIME MARKETS WILL REBOUND. INVESTMENTS WILL GROW. WE'VE HAD A GOOD 15 TO 16 MONTHS IN THE STOCK MARKET. PARTICULARLY FOR FAMILYIES THAT WILL START SAIRVEG WHILE THEIR CHILDREN ARE YOUNG. THE EARLIER YOU START SAVEING IN A CHILD'S LIFE, THE MORE THAT MONEY WILL GROW. >> Gwin: NOT UNLIKE OTHER PEOPLE PEOPLE, I GET NERVOUS WHEN I START TO MAKE INVESTMENT DECISIONS. DO I NEED A HIGHER HE HAD DEGREE OR SOME KIND OF FINANCIAL EDUCATION TO BE ABLE TO INVEST IN THIS? >> : NO. YOU'VE JUST GOT TO CARE ABOUT YOUR KIDS FUTURE. WE HAVE THREE INVESTMENT OPTIONS OPTIONS. WE HAVE A MANAGEED ALLOCATION OPTION WHICH OUGHT MALL CEAL ADJUSTS THE INVESTMENT MIX TO BE MORE CONSERVATIVE AND RISK AVERSE AS THE CHILD APPROACHES COLLEGE AGE. WE HAVE A GUARANTEED OPTION. AND WE HAVE AN ALECK WITNESS AND ALL STOCK OPTION FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO BE A LITTLE BIT MORE AGGRESSIVE. >> Gwin: THAT'S IMPRESSIVE >> Gwin: MANY PEOPLE WATCHING TONIGHT MIGHT BE THINKING, "OH, . GREAT. THIS POLITICIAN IS TRYING TO CONVINCE ME TO INVEST MY MONEY." WHY SHOULD WE LISTEN TO YOU? WELL, THIS IS NOT A FOR-PROFIT PROGRAM THAT THE STATE MAKES MONEY ON. THIS IS OUR SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF OKLAHOMA. WE'VE CREATEED ONE OF THE MOST HIGHLY RATEED COLLEGE SAVINGS PROGRAM IN THE COUNTRY. IN ADDITION, I'M A DAD. AND ALMOST AS SOON AS THOSE KIDS WERE BORN, WE OPENED UP COLLEGE SAVINGS ACCOUNTS BECAUSE I ACTUALLY LOOKED AROUND ANY REALIZED THAT THE OKLAHOMA COLLEGE SAVINGS PROGRAM IS AMONG THE BEST, IF NOT THE BEST SUCH COLLEGE SAVINGS PROGRAM IN THE COUNTRY. WONDERFUL TAX ADVANTAGES. IT'S A WAY OF GIVING ALL OUR KIDS AN OPPORTUNITY TO REALIZE THEIR BEST POTENTIAL AND ALSO CREATEING A MAGNET FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH IN OKLAHOMA. >> Gwin: SO YOU HAVE TWO PLANS FOR TWO CHILDREN? >> : TWO PLANS FOR TWO CHILDREN. >> Gwin: AND YOU SHOULD HAVE ONE FOR EACH OF YOUR CHILDREN? >> : THAT'S RIGHT. BUT PUNS ONCE THE PLAN IS ESTABLISHED ANYBODY CAN MAKE A CONTRIBUTION. FOR EXAMPLE, A GRANDMOTHER, AUNT AUNT, SISTER CAN MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TO AN EXISTING COLLEGE SAVINGS ACCOUNT. IT'S FLEXIBLE AND TAX FRIENDLY IN THAT RESPECT AS WELL. >> Gwin: VERY IMPRESSIVE. THANK YOU. WE APPRECIATE EIGHT YOUR TIME. IT IS CASH FOR COLLEGE . >> Gwin: NEXT UP IS MR. DAVID STELL, ONE OF OUR FAVORITE SPOKESPERSONS FROM THE IRS. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AGAIN. WHAT GOOD TAX NEWS DO YOU HAVE FOR US? >> : BELIEVE IT OR NOT, CONGRESS HAS PROVIDED SOME GREAT INCENTIVES FOR PEOPLE WHO PAY TUITION AND FEES OUT OF THEIR POCKETS. THERE'S A COUPLE OF GREAT TAX CREDITS, BIG-TIME TAX CREDITS WHERE PEOPLE CAN GET REIMBURSEED WHEN THEY FILE THEIR TAX RETURNS RETURNS. ONE OF THEM'S CALLED THE HOPE CREDIT. THE OTHER ONE'S CALLED THE LIFE LIFETIME LEARNING CREDIT. THESE ARE BOTH CREDITS THAT WILL REDUCE YOUR TAX BILL DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR UP TO THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF THE CREDIT. FOR INSTANCE, THE HOPE CREDIT IS FOR THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF PEST SECONDARY EDUCATION. USUALLY THE FRESHMAN AND SOPHOMORE YEARS IN COLLEGE. IT'S WORTH UP TO $1,500. $1,500 CREDITS. 100 PERCENT OF THE FIRST $1,000 $1,000 SPENT ON TIEW INITIAL 50% OF THE NEXT THOUSAND. THIS IS A CREDIT USED BY STUDENTS PURSUE AGO DEGREE AND DON'T HAVE A FELONY DRUG CONVICTION. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S ON A PER STUDENT, PER YEAR BASIS. THAT ALLOWS YOU TO CLAIM IT IN MULTIPLE YEARS THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF POST SECONDARY EDUCATION. FOR THOSE WHO DON'T QUALIFY FOR THAT. MAYBE THEY'RE A JUNIOR OR SENIOR SENIOR, THERE'S ALSO SOMETHING CALLED THE LIFETIME LEARNING CREDIT. THAT IS AVAILABLE FOR ALL PEOPLE ON A PARTICULAR TAX RETURN. IT'S FIGUREED IN THE AGGREGATE. SO IF THERE'S A MOTHER, FATHER AND CHILD ALL ENROLLED IN SCHOOL SCHOOL, THEY CAN CLAIM A MAXIMUM CREDIT. THE GOOD NEWS HERE IS THE MAXIMUM CREDIT HAS DOUBLEED FOR THIS YEAR UP TO $2,000. USED TO BE 1,000 LAST YEAR. IT'S 20% OF THE FIRST $10,000 $10,000 THAT'S SPENT ON TUITION AND FEES RELATEED TO ENROLLMENT. NOW, THAT CREDIT IS AVAILABLE EACH YEAR ON THE TAX RETURN AS WELL. AND THERE'S AN UNLIMITED NUMBER OF YEARS. IT ISN'T JUST LIMITED TO 2 YEARS YEARS. THAT'S AVAILABLE FOR ANY NUMBER OF YEARS THAT CAN BE CLAIMED. >> Gwin: IS THERE A PHONE NUMBER OR PLACE WHERE WE CAN FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION? >> : YOU BET. YOU CAN GET ONE OF OUR FAVORITE PUBLICATIONS ON THIS. IT'S PUBLICATION 970, TAX EDUCATION BENEFITS. THAT'S THIS ONE RIGHT HERE. IT IS AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE BY CALLING US AT THE NUMBER ON THE SCREEN. IT'S ALSO AVAILABLE ON LINE AT THE WEBSITE. THIS IS THE BOOK YOU WANT TO HAVE IF YOU WANT TO FIND OUT ALL THE EDUCATION TACK BENEFITS PROVIDED FOR IN THE TAX LOU. >> Gwin: HAVE WE FORGOTTEN ANYTHING? >> : I THINK WE'VE COVERED A LOT THERE. THERE'S WILL A -- ALSO A TUITION DEDUCTION FOR THIS YEAR. MAYBE IF YOU EARN TOO MUCH INCOME TO QUALIFY FOR THE CREDIT CREDITS, YOU CAN TAKE A TUITION DEDUCTION BECAUSE THE INCOME LIMITS ARE HIGHER. THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S ALSO CONTAINED IN PUBLICATION 970. ALSO THERE'S AN INTEREST DEDUCTION FOR STUDENT LOANS. CONGRESS HAS PROVIDED THAT IF YOU'RE PAYING OFF A STUDENT LOAN LOAN. YOU CAN POTENTIALLY DEDISTRICT UP TO $2,500 WORTH OF STUDENT LOAN INTEREST EACH YEAR THAT YOU'RE MAKING PAYMENTS. >> Gwin: AS ALWAYS YOU HAVE GREAT INFORMATION. THANK YOU DAVID STELL. NOW, BEFORE WE WRAP UP FOR THE EVENING, WE WANT YOU TO HEAR FROM JOSH HOLLAND, A SENIOR AT NORTHWESTERN OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY. JOSH WOULD LIKE TO SHARE HIS FINANCIAL AID EXPERIENCE WITH YOU. IENCHS. >> : HELLO TOAFER ONE. MY NAME IS JOSHUA HOLLAND. I'M SENIOR IN ALVA, OKLAHOMA. AND MANY OF ARE YOU PROBABLY WONDERING WHY I'M SITTING HERE TALKING TO YOU RIGHT NOW. WELL, I WANT TO TELL YOU MY EXPERIENCES WITH FINANCIAL AID. I FEEL THAT I'M A PRIME CANDIDATE TO TELL YOU ABOUT THIS JUST BECAUSE I REALLY WANT TO GET THE MESSAGE OUT. THE FACT THAT FINANCIAL AID HAS HELPED ME IN MANY, MANY WAYS. THERE'S SO MANY OPPORTUNITYIES OUT THERE. AND AS YOU'RE LISTENING TO THIS PROGRAM, YOU'VE HEARD OF DIFFERENT PROGRAMS. AND I JUST REALLY ENCOURAGE THAT EVERYONE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF EACH AND EVERY ONE. AND WITH MY EXPERIENCES, THIS IS MY FIFTH YEAR IN COLLEGE. I'M ABOUT TO GRADUATE. AND WHICH I'M REALLY, REALLY HAPPY. BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING OR ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS FOR ME IS THE FACT THAT I'M ABOUT TO GRADUATE WITHOUT HAVING TO PAY VERY MUCH MONEY. AND THAT'S BECAUSE FINANCIAL AID AID, MOST IMPORTANTLY, AND THEN MY SCHOLARSHIPS FOR PLAYING BASKETBALL. I PLAY BASKETBALL AND DIFFERENT GRANTS AND ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS SCHOLARSHIPS. ALL THOSE TIEED IN TOGETHER. BUT WITHOUT FINANCIAL AID, I STILL WOULD HAVE HAD TO PAY SOME MONEY. AND THIS YEAR I CHOSE TO TAKE A PRIVATE ROOM. THEREFORE, I PAY A LITTLE BIT OUT OF MY POCKET. BUT THAT DOESN'T EVEN -- THAT DOESN'T BOTHER ME AT ALL. JUST THE FACT THAT I'VE GONE FOUR YEARS WITHOUT HAVING TO PAY A DIME. MY BROTHER, HE CHOSE TO TAKE OUT LOANS WHILE HE WAS IN SCHOOL BECAUSE HE NEEDED MORE THINGS, I GUESS, THAN I DID. WHICH WAS FINE. THE THING I LIKE ABOUT THAT WAS HE HAD THE MONEY WHEN IT WAS -- WHEN HE NEEDED IT. IT WAS AVAILABLE FOR HIM. SO WHEN HE COULDN'T GET THE SCHOLARSHIPS THAT I COULD GET, HE TOOK OUT LOANS. SO THAT HELPED HIM GET THROUGH SCHOOL. MY DAD IS VERY, VERY PROUD OF MY BROTHER AND I AND THE FACT THAT, YOU KNOW, HE'S SEEN US GO THROUGH SCHOOL. WE'RE ABOUT TO GRADUATE. OF COURSE, MY BROTHER ALREADY HAS. BUT THE FACT THAT, LIKE I SAID EARLIER, THE FACT THAT I'VE GONE THROUGH SCHOOL WITHOUT HAVING TO PAY VERY MUCH MONEY IS VERY, VERY GREAT. AND WITH THE APPLICATIONS AND THE CERTAIN CRITERIA THAT YOU HAVE TO MEET, DO NOT BE OVERWHELMED BECAUSE IN THE END, IN THE LONG RUNG RUN I IT'S VERY VERY, VERY WORTH IT. ONE DAY MAYBE YOUR KID CAN SIT HERE AND TELL THE STORY THAT I'M TELLING, THE FACT THAT THEY'RE ABOUT TO GRADUATE AND THEY'RE NOT PAYING VERY, VERY MUCH MONEY MONEY. SO TAKE ADVANTAGE. I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE, ASK QUESTIONS. JUST GET INVOLVED. AND TO ALL THE PARENTS OUT THERE THERE, PLEASE, HELP YOUR KIDS. START EARLY. BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT TO PROCRASTINATE AND HOPE THAT YOU GET ALL THIS MONEY OR GET ALL THIS -- THESE FUNDS AND STUFF AND THEN IT'S NOT THERE. BUT IT WILL BE -- SOMETHING WILL BE AVAILABLE. JUST TAKE ADVANTAGE. BUT I ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO IT EARLY. AND, LIKE I SAID, JUST ASK QUESTIONS AND TAKE ADVANTAGE AND GOOD LUCK. >> Gwin: THANK YOU, JOSH. ONCE AGAIN, THE CASH FOR COLLEGE PHONE NUMBER IS ON THE SCREEN . >> Gwin: WE WANT TO BRING OSU'S D.J. SIMPSON BACK TO JOIN ANTHONY SPANO FROM THE OU HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER. OKAY, GUYS. I WANT YOU TO RECAP FOR THE VIEWERS SOME OF THE MORE IMPORTANT POINTS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE HERE TONIGHT. HAVE YOU ABOUT FIVE MINUTES TO TELL US EVERYTHING WE FEED TO KNOW. WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO FIRST, ANTHONY? >> : I DON'T HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF TIME. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY THAT'S LISTENED TO THIS PROGRAM TONIGHT, YOU NEED -- IF YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT GOING TO COLLEGE WHATSOEVER THIS FALL, YOU NEED TO GO OUT AND APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID. EVEN IF YOU THINK YOU MAY NOT QUALIFY. THE FIRST LETTER IN FAFSA, THE FIRST F STANDS FOR FREE. IT'S FREE FOR EVERYBODY TO APPLY APPLY. YOU COULD GET A PAPER APPLICATION FROM YOUR LIBRARY, YOUR SCHOOL. YOU CAN ASK ONE OF THE PHONE VOLUNTEERS TONIGHT TO SEND YOU WIN IN THE MAIL. EVEN BETTER YET, YOU CAN GO ON LINE AND COMPLETE THE APPLICATION ELECTRONICALLY AT WW WWW.FAFSA.ED.GOV. AND A REALLY GREAT THING ABOUT GOING AND COMPLETEING THAT APPLICATION ON LINE IS THAT IT HAS EDIT CHECKS. AS YOU COMPLETE ONE PAGE, IT WILL LET YOU KNOW IF THERE'S ANY ERRORS. WHEREAS IF YOU GO AND COMPLETE THAT APPLICATION ON PAPER YOU HAVE TO WAIT 2 TO 4 WEEKS TO GET THE RESPONSE BACK. SO IF YOU'RE WILLING TO GO OUT THERE AND TAKE AN ELECTRONIC INITIATIVE AND COMPLETE THAT APPLICATION ON LINE, THEN YOU WILL GET IMMEDIATE FEED BACK AS TO WHETHER OR NOT YOUR CAPATION -- APPLICATION IS AT LEAST COMPLETE AND ACCURATE. DO THIS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. SEVERAL OF THE FEDERAL AND STATE PROGRAMS HAVE LIMITED AMOUNTS OF RESOURCES. MAYBE YOU HAVE THE SAME SITUATION THAT SOMEONE ELSE. MAYBE YOU HAVE THE SAME INCOME AS SOMEONE ELSE, BUT THEY RECEIVED SOME GRANTS THAT YOU DIDN'T GET. WELL, MAYBE THE REASON IS BECAUSE THEY APPLIED EARLY. IT'S KIND OF LIKE THE OLD ADAGE, THE EARLY BIRD GETS THE WORM IN THIS CASE. >> Gwin: D.J., WHAT DO YOU THINK THINK? WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD? I THINK THAT FAFSA IS WHERE IT ALL STARTS. BUT THEN WHAT NEXT? >> : A LOT OF PEOPLE WHEN THEY FILL THIS FORM OUT, IT'S BASED ON 2003 INCOME. 2004 FOR SOME PEOPLE, THEIR INCOME IS NOT GOING TO BE THE EXACT SAME. THERE'S A PROCESS THAT WE CAN USE IN OUR OFFICE CALLED SPECIAL CONDITION OR PROFESSIONAL JUDGMENT WHERE A STUDENT NEED OR PARENT NEEDS TO FILL THE FORM OUT BASED ON 2003 FEDERAL INCOME INFORMATION, THEN THEY NEED TO GET IN CONTACT WITH THE SCHOOLS IF THEY HAVE SOME UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCE. SAY THEY HAD A REDUCTION IN HOURS AT THEIR JOB OR THEY LOST A JOB OR THERE COULD BE MEDICAL BILLS THAT THEY'RE EXPERIENCING OR IF THEY HAVE UNUSUALLY HIGH CHILD CARE COSTS. WE CAN TAKE THOSE INCOME SITUATIONS AND WE CAN CONSIDER THOSE AND MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO THEIR INCOME INFORMATION THAT IS USED TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH FINANCIAL AID THEY'RE ACTUALLY ELIGIBLE FOR. FIRST THEY MUST COMPLETE IT BASED ON 2003 INCOME. AND, PLEASE, KEEP ALL THAT INFORMATION BECAUSE YOU MIGHT GET SELECTED FOR A PROCESS CALLED VERIFICATION. AND ANY TIME A SCHOOL REQUESTS CERTAIN DOCUMENTS, ESPECIALLY THE DOCUMENTS THAT ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE INCOME INFORMATION THAT'S PLACED ON THE FAFSA, YOU MUST RETURN THAT INFORMATION TO THE SCHOOL OR ELSE YOU WON'T BE ELIGIBLE FOR FEDERAL AID. >> Gwin: SOUNDS GOOD. WE HAVE ABOUT A MINUTE LEFT. WHAT CAN YOU TELL US QUICKLY? >> : I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE THAT -- TAKE TIME TO INVESTIGATE INVESTIGATE. THERE ARE MANY SOURCES OF FINANCIAL AID THAT ARE AVAILABLE OUT THERE. STUDENTS THAT WANT TO MAYBE APPLY FOR DIFFERENT SCHOLARSHIPS SCHOLARSHIPS, THEY CAN GO ON LINE TO MANY OF THE SCHOOLS DIFFERENT WEB SITES. THEY HAVE LINKS TO DIFFERENT SCHOLARSHIP SEARCHES. CAN YOU GO ON LINE TO WWW.OGSOP. WWW.OGSOP.ORG. YOU CAN ACTUALLY CALL ONE OF THE PHONE VOLUNTEERS AND ASK FOR A PACKET THIS EVENING. IF YOU GET A PACKET, WE WILL INCLUDE IN THAT SEVERAL DIFFERENT SCHOLARSHIP SEARCH ENGINES THAT YOU CAN GO ON LINE AND ACTUALLY GET INFORMATION, GOOD INFORMATION FROM. D.J. JUST MENTIONED AN EXAMPLE OF HIGH DEPENDENT CARE EXPENSES. A LOT OF TIMES AT COLLEGES PEOPLE FEEL LIKE THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO GO TO COLLEGE BECAUSE MAYBE THEY HAVE -- MAYBE THEY'RE A SINGLE PARENT AND MAYBE THEY HAVE DPEBT CARE EXPENSES THAT -- DEPENDENT CARE EXPENSES THAT THEY THINK CANNOT BE ACCOUNTED FOR. WE'RE ABLE TO ACTUALLY GO IN AND LOOK AT THEIR DEPENDENT CARE EXPENSES AND MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO THEIR BUDGETS THAT ALLOWS MAYBE A SINGLE PARENT TO ACTUALLY BE ABLE TO GO TO SCHOOL. WE HAVE 24 PROFESSIONALS HERE BEHIND US. IF THEY WANT TO CALL AND GIVE THEIR LIFE EXPERIENCE, IF THEY HAVE THAT SPECIFIC QUESTION THAT THEY'RE AFRAID TO ASK, TONIGHT IS THE NIGHT TO ASK IT. >> Gwin: LET ME ALSO ADD, THOUGH THOUGH, D.J., THANK YOU, ANTHONY ANTHONY, THANK YOU BOTH. THIS PHONE NUMBER IS GOOD FROM NOW ON. IT'S NOT JUST A ONE-NIGHT PHONE NUMBER. IT'S A PHONE NUMBER THAT YOU CAN CALL FROM NOW ON AND FIND OUT ALL THE INFORMATION THAT WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT TONIGHT. WE HOPE YOU HAVE ENJOYED TONIGHT'S PROGRAM. KEEP IN MIND THAT YOU CAN STILL CALL 1-800-858-1840 TO REQUEST INFORMATION OR HAVE YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED AFTER TONIGHT. THAT NUMBER IS AVAILABLE ALL THE TIME. IN ADDITION, YOU HAVE ACCESS TO LOTS OF GREAT INFORMATION AT THE OKLAHOMA GUARANTEED STUDENT LOAN WEBSITE AND THE OKLAHOMA STATE REGENTS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION SITE. ALSO, DON'T FORGET COLLEGE GOAL SUNDAY IS FEBRUARY 8. VISITING ONE OF OUR COLLEGE GOAL SUNDAY SITES WOULD BE A GREAT WAY TO GET YOUR FINANCIAL AID QUESTIONS ANSWERED IN PERSON AT A SCHOOL NEAR YOU. ON YOUR SCREEN NOW YOU WILL SEE A COMPLETE LISTING OF THIS YEAR'S COLLEGE GOAL SUNDAY LOCATIONS. ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ >> Gwin: REMEMBER, A COLLEGE EDUCATION IS A GREAT INVESTMENT AND WILL PAY HUGE DIVIDENDS YOUR ENTIRE LIFE. AS YOU HAVE SEEN AND HEARD HERE TONIGHT, THERE ARE MANY, MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE DEDICATED TO HELPING YOU SECURE CASH FOR COLLEGE AND REALIZING YOUR DREAMS. YOU CAN DO IT. THANKS FOR BEING WITH US. GOOD NIGHT. CAPTIONING FUNDED BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY CAPTION SERVICES OF KANSAS, LLC. WWW.CAPTIONSERVICES.COM.