FAQs for First Generation Students

Below are some frequently asked questions that we hear and some others we don’t hear but that are just as important.

Financial Aid

It’s simple! Your application automatically puts you in the running for all of our scholarships. Depending on the time of year, you should find out your aid package within just a few weeks. If you have questions, just reach out to your admission counselor.

If you are having difficulties understanding your financial award letter or your bill for the term, you should reach out to the HUB for Enrollment Services. The HUB encompasses Financial Aid, Billing & Payments, and Registration & Records. Any member of our team in the HUB will be happy to walk you through your award letter or bill. 

While tuition rates are the same regardless of your major, total costs vary for every student depending on your housing, lab fees, books, etc. You can see a complete breakdown of tuition rates, room and board costs, and fees here.

Your total bill will also vary depending on the scholarships and aid for which you qualify. Check out our net price calculator to get an idea of total cost.

In order to receive a complete, official financial aid award package, make sure to complete your application and file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid FAFSA.

Costs can differ for many reasons, although our estimated total cost on our website or your financial award letter is a reliable guide. For example, our first-year freshman total price includes the housing cost for Traer Hall, the all-freshman dorm on campus. If you deposit sooner than later, and qualify for lower-cost housing, your price will be lower. If you choose to live in Jobe-Hansen or Dempsey, your cost will be slightly higher.

The tuition and housing costs at any college you attend will typically increase between 2-4% each year. Make sure you consider this when thinking about total cost!

Academics

Our Student Success and Advising teams are ready to help you achieve your personal and academic goals. Academic Success offers tutoring, academic coaching, workshops on note taking and organization, and personalized support. The Advising program pairs every first year student with an advisor who can assist with anything from academics to work-life balance to general questions about campus. Your Advisor will help you build a strong foundation for success during your transition from high school to college life! We encourage you to visit the Academic Success and Advising staff on the 2nd floor of the Turner Lynch Campus Center (TLCC).

To be eligible for most federal and institutional financial aid, students must be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours; however, Oglethorpe requires that students earn 128 credit hours to earn a degree. That means you would take 16 credit hours each semester if you were enrolling in only fall and spring semesters for 4 years. (16 * 2 = 32 * 4 = 128) 

Housing

Your Oglethorpe Admission Counselor can answer questions about housing and dining and can discuss the benefits and challenges of different options. The price for an on-campus Oglethorpe residence hall INCLUDES an unlimited meal plan in the cost listed online.

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Contact Cody Teague, Director of Residence Life, to chat via phone or set up an appointment: (404) 364-8520

Student Life

Our Counseling Office provides services for all currently enrolled students at no cost. Those services include individual counseling and our counselors can speak to you about anything from relationship issues to academic difficulties and career indecision. 

Check out campus event, organizations, and opportunities on OU Connect.

Log-in with your Oglethorpe username and then explore different campus opportunities. Even if you’re not sure about an event or club, you should check it out! Campus activities are a great way to meet people and you don’t have to commit right away.

Check out the OU Connect website! You can search for events by organization or date and there’s a news feed to keep up with the latest going ons.