2008-2009 Tuition Lock Rates for Oklahoma Residents

Tuition rates for the 2008-2009 academic year have been finalized.  Students have from July 1 - July 31 to decide if they will lock-in the four year average tuition rate or choose the standard yearly rate. 

The following displays the 2005 to 2009 four year comparison of tuition and percentage increase versus the hypothetical guaranteed rate that would have been offered to students starting in 2005-2006 had the current guaranteed tuition law been enacted at that time. 

Please note the costs reflect tuition only and assume 30 credit hours per academic year.  Fees are not included in the lock tuition legislation.

What is a Tuition Lock?

Beginning with the 2008-2009 academic year, Oklahoma Legislation requires that new freshman and transfer students be given the opportunity to choose the system through which they plan to pay for their college education - either at a set rate based on the projected average of tuition costs for the next four years or at the standard rate charged each year. For excerpts from the Tuition Lock law, click here.

This is an Oklahoma law to which all 4-year higher education institutions in Oklahoma must adhere beginning with the 2008-2009 academic year.

Who is Eligible?

First time, full time, in state resident students are eligible for the tuition lock program as long as they remain continuously enrolled for at least four (4) years.

The Choice

Between July 1 and July 31, 2008, students who prefer to lock in a tuition rate based on the average of the projected tuition for the next four years will elect the "guaranteed tuition rate" through the Student Information System.  OSU will send postcards reminding students to log in and make their choice. 

Students enrolling for the first time after July 31, must make their choice between the two rates at the time of enrollment.

For those who are unsure as to what the rate means, it may help to consider the locked tuition as you would a fixed rate mortgage versus the standard rate which is more similar to a variable rate.  The fixed rate is more expensive at the beginning and can remain that way, while the variable rate may increase over the course of multiple years, but cannot easily be predicted.

Guidelines

• A first time, full time, in state resident student is eligible for the tuition lock program as long as he/she remains continuously enrolled as a full-time student.
• At the expiration point of the tuition lock, the student would be required to pay the nonguaranteed standard rate of tuition effective for the remaining semesters of attendance.
• If, for any reason, a student does not maintain consecutive full time enrollment (withdraws or drops out of the institution), he/she is ineligible to return at the locked rate.
• If a student drops below full-time status in any given semester (excluding summer), he/she will automatically revert back to the standard rate for subsequent semesters.
• The tuition lock is guaranteed for a maximum of four (4) years, with exceptions for degree programs officially recognized by the university as 5-year programs. These are:  Architectural Engineering, Architecture, and Landscape Architecture.
• If a student transfers to another state institution, he/she will be charged the amount of resident tuition charged to other first time students enrolling on the new campus.
• If the student withdraws for military or national defense emergencies, he/she can re-enter and pay the original guaranteed tuition rate if they originally chose this lock option as a first-time student.
• The guaranteed rate includes tuition only.  Additional university fees charged and costs incurred by students are not included in the tuition lock option.  To calculate an estimate of tuition and fees, visit http://bursar.okstate.edu.
• At the expiration point of the tuition lock, the student would be required to pay the variable rates effective for the remaining semesters of attendance. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What if a participating student has to withdraw from classes in a given semester? 

• If the student withdraws for military or national defense emergencies, he/she can re-enter and pay the original guaranteed tuition rate.

What if the student takes longer than four years to graduate?

• The tuition lock program expires after four years unless the student is enrolled in a degree program officially requiring more than four years to completion.  At the expiration point of the tuition lock, the student would be required to pay the standard rate of tuition for the remaining semesters.

What if the student transfers to another state institution?

• If a student transfers to another state institution, he/she will be charged the amount of resident tuition charged to other first time students enrolling on the new campus.

When Do I Need to Decide?

Students choosing the tuition lock program are required to sign up through the Student Information System (link on the OSU homepage).  First time, full time, in state students for the 2008-2009 academic year will have from July 1 to July 31, 2008 to decide if they would like to choose the guaranteed tuition lock program.  Students who enroll for the first time at OSU after July31, 2008 will elect their tuition rate at the time of enrollment. 

How Do I Make my Choice Official?

Just log into the Student Information System and follow the payment information links to the Tuition Lock page from July 1 to July 31 if you wish to sign up for the program.  Students who wish to remain with the standard tuition and fees rates are not required to do anything.