Getting Ready for College
College is an investment in your future that you should be planning for now. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education offers many free resources to help you and your family consider college options and plan for your future education needs. Many of the programs and resources are listed below. To get more information or a copy of the brochures, visit the Student Center Web site at www.okhighered.org/student-center, call the Student Information Hotline at 800.858.1840 (225.9239 in OKC) or e-mail your request to studentinfo@osrhe.edu.
THESE WILL HELP
Academic Commitment to Education (ACE)
An exemplary program targeted to those high school students who possess high academic and leadership standards. The ACE curriculum is designed as a “grow your own” teacher recruitment program that includes a teaching internship. However, those who do not become educators evolve into strong advocates for teachers and proponents for education. ACE is offered by the minority teacher recruitment center. For more information, call 800.858.1840 or 225.9198 in Oklahoma City or visit the MTRC web site at www.okhighered.org/mtrc.
Advanced Placement Courses (AP)
Allow students to take college-level course work in high school and receive credit at Oklahoma colleges and universities. See the Getting Into College section for more information.
Concurrent Enrollment
Allows outstanding junior and senior high school students to take credit-earning college courses. See the Getting Into College section for more information.
Cooperative Alliance Project
Allows high school juniors and seniors to enroll in college-level courses at technology centers statewide. See the Getting Into College section for more information.
Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP)
Administered by the State Regents, this federally funded program is designed to better prepare middle and high school students for college through academic preparation programs and scholarships for students, professional development activities for educators, and college access information for students and parents. For more information, call 800.858.1840 or 225.9191 in Oklahoma City or visit the GEAR UP Web site at www.okhighered.org/gearup.
Leadership Education and Achievement Program (LEAP)
LEAP, a yearlong course, provides eighth- and ninth-grade-level students the knowledge and skills with which to make education, career and life plans and facilitates an understanding of the long-term consequences of the choices they make today. LEAP uses a research-based curriculum with a goal of increasing school retention and the success rate of students. LEAP is offered by the Minority Teacher Recruitment Center. For more information, call 800.858.1840 or 225.9198 in Oklahoma City or visit the MTRC Web site at www.okhighered.org/mtrc.
Oklahoma College Savings Plan
To help families save for college, Oklahoma has created a savings program that offers tax advantages and a low start-up investment of $100 and contributions as small as $15 per investment option per pay period through payroll deduction. Funds can be withdrawn as needed and used for college expenses at nearly all colleges and universities in the United States. For more information, call 877.654.7284 or visit www.ok4saving.org.
Oklahoma Educational Planning and Assessment System (OK EPAS)
Tests students in the eighth (EXPLORE) and 10th grade (PLAN) to assess their progress in core academic courses and provides feedback to schools, students and parents. Participation in OK EPAS is voluntary and free to school districts and students. For more information, call 800.858.1840 or 225.9228 in Oklahoma City or visit the OK EPAS Web site at www.okhighered.org/epas.
Oklahoma’s Promise (Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program)
Awards scholarships to students with whose families meet certain income requirements and who have demonstrated a commitment to academic preparation in high school. Students must sign up for the program in the eighth, ninth or 10th grade. There are additional academic requirements to keep the scholarship during college. For more information, call 800.858.1840 or 225.9239 in Oklahoma city or visit the Oklahoma’s Promise Web site at www.okpromise.org.
Oklahoma Money Matters (OKMM)
A financial literacy initiative of the State Regents and the Oklahoma Guaranteed Student Loan Program, OKMM serves as a clearinghouse of information and resources to help youth and adults successfully manage personal finances, understand consumer credit issues and navigate the financial aid process. OKMM offers an AmeriCorps Education Award Program, through which participating AmeriCorps members provide free financial education services in Oklahoma communities. In exchange for their service, members can earn an education award from the National Service Trust to pay college expenses, such as tuition, room and board, and repayment of student loans. For more information, call 234.4457 or 800.970.OKMM, or visit the OKMM Web site at www.oklahomamoneymatters.org.
Student Information Hotline
Provides information on financial aid, admission requirements, placement scores and more. Call 800.858.1840 or 225.9239 in Oklahoma City or e-mail studentinfo@osrhe.edu.
CHECK IT OUT
Cash for College Web Site
Provides information and resources for students and parents about finding, understanding and obtaining financial aid. For more information, call 405.234.4239 or 866.443.7420 or visit the Cash for College Web site at www.cashforcollegeok.info.
GEAR UP Guides for Parents of 9th-10th Graders and 11th-12th Graders
Includes information on the important role parents play in preparing their children for college, the economic benefits of obtaining a college degree, the high school courses required for college entry, admission standards, college costs and financial aid. In addition, the guides have a list of activities parents can do with their children to help them prepare for college. The grade-specific guides are provided to parents in the winter.
Grant and Scholarship Programs Booklet
Lists grant and scholarship programs administered by the State Regents.
The Official Guide to Oklahoma’s Colleges and Universities
Provides a profile on each college and university in Oklahoma and includes information on preparing for college, college costs and financial aid. Guides are provided to high school counselors in the late summer.
OKcollegestart.org
Provides information on admission requirements, financial aid, college costs and more for students, parents and counselors. Students can search by keywords and receive personalized results to compare colleges. Information is also available in Spanish. Visit the site at www.OKcollegestart.org.
Oklahoma’s Promise Flyer
Explains the requirements and benefits of Oklahoma’s Promise, which awards scholarships to students with financial need who have demonstrated a commitment to academic success in high school. Posters, counselor handbooks and agreement/application packets are also available. Materials are provided to counselors in late summer for distribution to eighth-, ninth and 10th-grade students. Flyers and applications are also available in Spanish.
Preparing for College Brochures
Outlines the required courses students must take in high school to be admitted to an Oklahoma state college or university, admission standards and financial aid information. Brochures are provided to counselors in late summer for distribution to eighth-through 12th-grade students.
Publications are available for download on Oklahoma higher education’s Web site at www.okhighered.org. For more information or to order materials, call the State Regents’ toll-free hotline at 800.858.1840 (225.9239 in Oklahoma City), e-mail your request to studentinfo@osrhe.edu or write:
Education and Career Information Services Center
Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
PO Box 108850
Oklahoma City, OK 73101-8850
