Understanding Your Cost
You work hard to pay for college and we work hard to make it a worthy investment.
There’s tremendous value in the Ouachita experience. We’re committed to making Christian
education accessible through generous scholarships, state & federal aid and flexible
payment options. We’re also up front about our cost – no last-minute $1,000 parking
fees on your bill.
We have real people ready to talk with you about actual costs, scholarships and all
your FAFSA questions. Call us at 870.245.5110 to speak with someone or schedule a
visit.
Contact Ouachita
Student Financial Services
Every new student receives a merit scholarship based on GPA, with test scores only required for the top level. These can stack with federal, state and most private aid. Estimate your merit award with our scholarship calculator.
President’s Scholarship
$21,000/year
Founder’s Scholarship
$18,000/year
Dean’s Scholarship
$16,000/year
Collegiate Scholarship
$13,000/year
Opportunity Award
$5,000/year
Learn more about Ouachita's Tuition & Fees.
A university’s cost of attendance includes everything you might have to spend for your student, but it may not reflect what you actually pay. Find our tuition & fees and fill out our Net Price Calculator to see an estimate of your actual cost. At Ouachita, we don’t have higher tuition rates for specific majors.
Before senior year, set up a scholarship email account, build a deadline spreadsheet and talk as a family about expectations and FAFSA.
Apply July 1. File the FAFSA October 1 — Ouachita's school code is 001102.
December 1 is the priority scholarship deadline, and being admitted with a FAFSA on file maximizes your aid. Deposit in January and sign up for ER!
Saving and paying for college can be overwhelming. Read a Q&A series about how you can tackle it one step at a time:
Where to Start When You’re Planning for College
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Scholarships, grants, loans, work study awarded to Ouachita students every year
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Cumulative GPA required to maintain Ouachita institutional aid
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Additional tuition cost charged to students from out of state
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I had three students at Ouachita at the same time, and God made a way by putting people in our path who showed us what to do and how we could apply for private scholarships. Ouachita is transparent about the cost and what scholarships are available; they don’t have hidden fees.
Cathy (Richardson) Worley '92
Mother of four Ouachita students
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It's true there are moments of ‘sticker-shock’ for Ouachita. But when you look at the community your student is a part of, the quality of the faculty and the higher-than-average graduation rates and post-graduation accomplishments, the value over a lifetime is worth the effort.
Doug Hibbard '99
Father of three Ouachita students
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As a teacher, I’ve had many conversations with students and parents about college over the years. I don't think most people realize the scholarships available at private universities are often better than the ones they would receive at a public university, closing the gap a little more than they may expect.
Mother of three Ouachita students
”
Meet the Faddis Family
When Lance and Jennifer Faddis learned their daughter had changed her mind about attending a state university and decided to enroll at Ouachita instead, they were thrilled.
As Ouachita alums, they already knew there’s much greater value for their daughter in the Ouachita experience. But when they discovered their out-of-pocket cost, they were in for a pleasant surprise.
Listen to Jennifer tell their story...
Ouachita Aid
Institutional aid includes merit scholarships, which all new students receive, and additional opportunities like marching band, athletics, missionary, pastor, legacy and more. Events like Tiger Tunes raise money for even more aid for returning students.
Learn more at obu.edu/finaid/obu.
Federal & State Aid
Grants and work study provide funds you don’t have to repay. Loans can be a helpful option when they fit in your financial plan. Arkansas residents can receive the Academic Challenge Scholarships by applying before July 1 at ADHE and submitting the FAFSA.
Learn more at obu.edu/finaid.
Private Aid
There are private, external scholarships available that help pay for college! Some are related to personal background, religious affiliation, location, age, area of study and more. Even a $500 award means less you have to pay out of pocket or borrow.
Start your search at obu.edu/finaid/private.
As you and your student navigate the world of financial aid, you’ll probably encounter a lot of new terms and information. Although these definitions will get you started, this glossary isn’t comprehensive.
Our team of admissions counselors is always available to answer your questions and help through every phase of the financial aid process. You’ll never have to figure it out by yourself. That’s part of the value you receive in the Ouachita experience.
Actual Annual Cost – direct cost paid to a college; includes tuition, fees, housing and meals. At Ouachita, tuition remains the same no matter how many hours a full-time student takes per semester up to 18.
Cost of Attendance (COA) – an estimate of everything you might have to spend for your student to attend college; includes actual annual costs plus your student’s personal expenses for things like books, gas and clothes. Schools are required to estimate these amounts, but they may not reflect what you pay because personal costs are based on individual budgeting.
FAFSA – the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. We encourage everyone to apply, because it connects eligible students to resources including grants, loans and work-study options with no obligation. Arkansas students, you have to submit a FAFSA in order to receive the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship.
It will be helpful to know these terms when you fill out your FAFSA:
Pell Grants: a type of federal aid that can provide up to $7,395 per year for eligible students to any school they attend. This money does not have to be repaid.
Student Aid Index (SAI): a formula-based number that helps determine how much financial aid a student might need. Learn how the SAI is calculated.
Work-Study: part-time employment for students who show a financial need through the FAFSA.
Financial Aid – any money given or loaned to students to help fund their college education. The three main categories of financial aid are:
Institutional Scholarships: money offered to a student from a university. These are often offered based on high school GPA or ACT/SAT scores or given for athletics, but also include scholarships for music, church-matching gifts and more. These do not have to be repaid. At Ouachita, 100% of freshmen receive a scholarship!
Federal and State Aid: money given or loaned by the federal or state government for college education, usually dependent on filling out the FAFSA. Federal money can be used at any school; states may require that money awarded be spent at colleges or universities within the state.
Private Scholarships: money awarded by a company or organization; it can be used at any university unless specified by the scholarship provider. These scholarships usually require a separate application. Your high school counselor may be able to guide you to opportunities local to you!
Net Price – the final amount paid after financial aid is subtracted from cost of attendance.
Let's Talk
At Ouachita, we'll walk you through every step of the financial aid journey. Call (870) 245-5110 to talk with your admissions counselor about your student's financial aid options.
Our Costs are Clear
A crucial part of demonstrating our value is being transparent about our cost. You’ll never have to guess about Ouachita’s bottom line or worry about big hidden fees.
See For Yourself
Choosing a college? Campus visits make all the difference. Connect with your admissions counselor to plan a campus tour and see for yourself what Ouachita has to offer!
Apply Now
Your financial aid process starts with an application for admission to Ouachita. It’s easy, fast and free – and doesn’t require an essay!
