Oklahoma Wesleyan University Launches Program, Making It Possible for All High School Students in Oklahoma to Attend College, Regardless of Financial Hardship
Bartlesville, Oklahoma (PRWEB) January 30, 2015 -- Oklahoma Wesleyan University (OKWU) announced today the availability of a state-wide program called Opportunity Knocks, which can cover the full tuition and fees of graduating high school students to attend the university.
“Many talented high school students across Oklahoma will excel in their classrooms yet find themselves unable to attend a top university because of their financial situation,” said Dr. Everett Piper, president of OKWU. “We believe this is unacceptable, and are willing to do something about it.”
The university piloted the program in 2009 with a partnership, initially, with Bartlesville High School. In the spring of 2010 the program was expanded to other high schools in Northeast Oklahoma. The first set of Opportunity Knocks recipients began their collegiate journeys at OKWU in the fall of 2010.
The program has proven to be very successful. As of November 2014, Opportunity Knocks participants have averaged a 3.23 GPA while attending OKWU and continue to excel in and outside the classroom.
In order to be eligible for the program, the student must be Oklahoma Promise eligible, complete FASFA in January of their senior year, be eligible for full Pell grant as determined by the FAFSA results and schedule an official meeting with the Financial Aid department at OKWU.
Opportunity Knocks can potentially cover the full cost of a student’s tuition and fees for an academic year at OKWU. The student is required to apply for all financial aid available from the federal and state sources and if the aid does not cover the student’s tuition and fees, Oklahoma Wesleyan will seek to cover the student’s costs through private donors and other resources available to the school, such as the Brookby Family scholarships or other outside resources and funding.
John Means, Executive Vice President at OKWU, cautioned that the “opportunity is time sensitive. There are deadlines for federal and state sources. We don’t want eligible students to miss out. Find all of the information at http://www.okwu.edu/opportunityknocks
About Oklahoma Wesleyan University
OKWU is a private, Christian university. As an evangelical Christian university of The Wesleyan Church, OKWU is unapologetic in its commitment to the truth of Christ and the Scripture, and models a way of thought, a way of life, and a way of faith. It is a place of serious study, honest questions, and critical engagement, all in the context of a liberal arts community. Recently voted one of the Regionally Best Colleges by U.S. News & World Report, OKWU continues to gain national attention for their commitment to education. OKWU has also caught the eye of CBS Money Watch and Forbes Top College list.
To learn more about Oklahoma Wesleyan visit http://www.okwu.edu and schedule a visit today.
Holt Hackney, [email protected], +1 (512) 716-7977, [email protected]
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