Parent to Parent Email Newsletter
Greetings from Ouachita!
This brief electronic newsletter from Ouachita will come your way via the Internet once a month from November through next August. Saturday, August 21, when your child moves into the dormitory at Ouachita for the fall semester, will be here before you know it.
In addition to news from me and e-mail connections to some helpful folks, the newsletter will include information from members of our faculty and staff. Today you'll find some helpful comments from Chris Kear, the director of our financial aid program, included below.
All of us at Ouachita are looking forward to the opportunity to build connections with your family over the next few months. As we work to prepare for the arrival of your son or daughter, well be happy to answer questions you may have.
This is a great time for you and your student to be considering Ouachita. In addition to our top rankings by U.S. News & World Report, Ouachita is currently updating our student housing facilities. Earlier this semester, we occupied a state-of-the-art Student Village. Construction begins this month on Phase 2 of the project, which is scheduled for completion next summer. For more information about these projects and other improvements to the campus, visit this page (construction update) on our OBU website.
If your student has not submitted an application for admission yet, now is an excellent time. There is no application fee and the form can be filled out online at www.obu.edu/admissions/applying/index.asp. Additional information about Ouachita, its programs, and services can be found on our Web site at www.obu.edu/prospective/.
Over the course of the year, if you need to refer to some of this information, each issue will be posted on our website at www.obu.edu/admissions/parents.
Rex M. Horne, Jr.
President
Ouachita Baptist University
Getting Ready: November 2009
November is the month when many families begin narrowing college choices for their sons and daughters. One of the factors in the decision is the cost of the schools under consideration. All too often, however, families look past the value of this investment and see only the price. So when comparing costs, keep in mind the benefits the student will receive.
For instance, the 2010 issue of U. S. News and World Report ranked Ouachita the No. 1 Baccalaureate College in the South for academic quality. This is the third year in a row that we have been ranked No. 1. In addition, the guide once again ranked Ouachita the No. 1 Baccalaureate College in the South in the "Great Schools/Great Prices" category. The rankings didn't give any consideration to one additional factor, our commitment to combine the love of God with the love of learning. This unique aspect of Ouachita's character certainly gives additional value to your investment.
As you finalize college plans, the Office of Student Financial Services is committed to offering a wide array of options for families wishing to supplement their resources for education expenses. One new tool is a merit-based aid calculator on the Ouachita website. Go to www.obu.edu/finaid/calculator.asp and use the calculator to receive an estimate of merit-based aid your student might receive. (Confirmation of aid offers is sent after the student has been accepted through our Registrar's Office.)
November also is a great time to look for other private aid sources. Begin by checking with your local church, chamber of commerce, civic group, and employer about available scholarship funds. Often these are terrific sources that go unused. One list of such private aid resources can be found on our website at www.obu.edu/finaid/private_aid.asp.
Finally, remember that in order to be considered for any need-based financial aid or federal student loans, a student must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The application will be available on-line beginning January 1 at www.fafsa.ed.gov. In order to obtain the most accurate information it is best to complete the FAFSA once you have your W2's and 1040 tax forms completed. Be sure that you and your student apply for a PIN number at www.pin.ed.gov before you begin filing the FAFSA-you will both need a PIN to submit the FAFSA electronically.
Have questions? There are two financial aid counselors in our office to help your family explore all available options. Don't hesitate to give us a call at (870) 245-5570 or send an e-mail to finaid@obu.edu.
Chris Kear
Director of Student Financial Services
Email us your questions
- Financial Aid and Student Accounts - Student Financial Services (finaid@obu.edu)
- Pre-registration Information - Marsha Whalen (whalenm@obu.edu)
- AP, CLEP - Bill McCrary (mccraryb@obu.edu)
- Transcripts and Immunizations - Judy Jones (jonesj@obu.edu)
- Housing information - Margaret Frazier (frazierm@obu.edu)
- General Questions - Admissions Office (admissions@obu.edu)