Parents' FAQs

General University/Admission Questions

 

1. What support service does your campus offer?
The Center for Student Academic Support provides services to all students to enhance opportunities for academic success by promoting effective interaction between students and faculty. In addition, the Center provides accommodations for students with disabilities, offers tutorial assistance to all students, as well as academic skills workshops in test preparation, study strategies and note taking.


2. What is done to help provide a safe campus environment?
TU's Campus Security patrols the campus and is available to respond to calls 24 hours a day. Twenty-four hour emergency phones are in blue boxes bolted to poles and are marked by distinctive lights. These phones, which are direct lines to Campus Security, are located north of Twin Towers Residence Hall, north of Sorority Row, south of Harwell Hall, and south of Chapman Hall. In addition, there are yellow phone boxes located throughout campus that provides both a direct line to Campus Security and a courtesy line for making on-campus phone calls.

Campus Security also escorts any student who, otherwise, would have to walk alone at night to classes, libraries, meetings, and other university-sponsored programs.


3. What is there to do on campus?
TU offers over 160 different student organizations covering a broad range of interest, 40 intramural options for men and women and other recreational sporting activities throughout the school year. In addition, Student Association hosts several concerts, guest speakers and annual events such as Springfest.

TU athletics has a tradition of winning: six national championships, including two in men’s basketball (NIT) and four in women’s golf. In the last decade, many TU teams have been nationally ranked. In the 1999-2000 season, the men’s basketball team advanced to the “Elite Eight” in the NCAA post-season tournament and won the 2001 NIT championship. In 2006, the women’s basketball squad made its first-ever NCAA tournament appearance.

In 2003, the Golden Hurricane football team bounced back from a bowl drought with an 8-4 season and an invitation to the Humanitarian Bowl, then won both the Conference USA championship and the Liberty Bowl in 2005. With back-to-back appearances at the NCAA Soccer Championships in 2003 and 2004, Tulsa advanced to the final eight in 2004.

TU hosted the 1999 NCAA Women’s Golf Championships as well as the 2004 NCAA Men’s Tennis Championship. In 2008, TU will host the combined NCAA Men’s and Women’s Tennis National Championships.

TU athletes are also winners in the classroom. The graduation rate of TU student-athletes ranks in the top one-third of all schools that compete in NCAA Division I athletics.

Throughout the year you can also attend any number of our stage productions, art exhibits or listen to any number of performances by the TU Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Band or the TU Choral.


4. What is the city of Tulsa like?
The city of Tulsa is a unique blend of an urban and a suburban setting. It is richly diverse in culture and entertainment, and is a leader in cultural attractions. Tulsa boasts of it's renown museums, Tulsa Performing Arts Center, home to Tulsa Ballet, Tulsa Opera and the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra as a must when visiting our city. If you enjoy the outdoors, then take advantage of the beautiful lakes, many golf courses and amusement parks as recreational options. Antiques shops and numerous shopping malls are conveniently located for the serious shoppers.


5. Do you have merit scholarships?
Yes, The University of Tulsa recognizes students on the basis of academic merit, leadership and the performing arts.


6. Can you combine scholarships?
Sometimes, although in most cases, there is a limit on the total scholarship amount a student may receive.


7. How many students attend TU?
There were 4,084 students attending TU in the Fall of 2005; 2,796 undergraduates, 753 graduate students and 665 law students.


8. What is the average class size?
The average class size is 19 at TU.


9. What is the ratio of students to faculty?
The student to faculty ratio is 11:1.


10. Do graduate assistants teach freshman courses?
Full time faculty members teach the majority of classes. However, the basic writing courses are taught mostly by graduate students. Only in rare instances will graduate assistants teach courses other than the basic writing courses.


11. What is the physical/mailing address for the residence halls?
The University of Tulsa
Lottie Jane Hall, Rm #
2808 East 6th Street
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74104

The University of Tulsa
John Mabee Hall, Rm #
2807 East 5th Place
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74104

The University of Tulsa
LaFortune House, Rm #
3202 East 7th Street
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74104

The University of Tulsa
Twin South Hall, Rm #
2831 East 8th Street
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74104

The University of Tulsa
Honors House, Rm #
3211 East 7th Street
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74104


Student Financial Services Questions

 


1. Are all awards based solely on need?
No, The University of Tulsa offers scholarships that recognize exceptional achievement, including academic, athletic, and artistic talents, as well as leadership and service contributions. All inquiries for scholarship assistance should be directed to the Admissions Office.


2. What is financial need?
Financial need is the difference between a family's resources and total college costs. To determine a family's need level, the family should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually, and list TU under the school code. TU's school code number is 003185.


3. If I do not claim my child on my tax return, can they be considered independent?
A student can be considered Independent for Federal Aid purposes if you can answer "yes" to at least one of the following questions:

  • Is your child 24 years old?
  • Will your child be working on a master's or doctorate program?
  • As of the day you complete the FAFSA, is your child married?
  • Does your child have legal dependants?
  • Is your child a veteran?
  • Is your child an orphan or ward of the court?

4. I understand that Parent Loans are based on a good credit rating. I do not have a good credit rating, what will happen when I apply?
If you apply and are denied, the school will receive a copy of the denial notice to the parent. Once the school receives that notice, we can replace the Parent Loan with a maximum of $5,000 Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, which is another student loan. Eligibility will be evaluated at the time of the denial. That amount is per academic year. The PLUS loan must be reapplied for yearly, in order to continue to check the credit-worthiness of the parent.


5. How do we choose a lender for our child's student loan?
The University of Tulsa can use any lender that participates in student loans. We have a preferred lender list with which we are accustomed to working. Any lender on our lender list comes recommended by the University. For specific information concerning lenders, you should contact the lender and ask for a brochure advertising their policies.


6. Are there loan fees for student loans and parent loans, and when do they go into repayment?
Every lender has the option to deduct up to 3% of the loan value in fees. The borrower is responsible for repaying the entire amount borrowed. Stafford loans are deferred for 6 months after the student withdraws or graduates from college or drops below half-time status. Perkins loans are deferred for 9 months after the student withdraws, graduates or drops below half-time status. Parents loans go into immediate repayment 60 days after the second disbursement has been sent to the school. All loans generally have a 10 year repayment schedule.


7. How does my child qualify for a Pell Grant?
You must first complete the Free Application of Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which will determine your expected family contribution (efc). According to 2006-2007 regulations, the efc must be less than or equal to $3,800 to qualify for a Pell grant. Pell Grants range from $400 to $4,050 for the 2006-2007 academic year.


8. Is there a certain income level that qualifies families for assistance?
No, any admitted degree-seeking student, who is enrolled at least half-time, can qualify for federal assistance regardless of family income. If there is not a "need level" the assistance may be limited to student loans. There are many variables that affect the determination of a family's expected family contribution. Different variables that affect the family contribution are: parental income, student income, number of family members, number of family members in college, assets for both the student and parents, trust funds, age of the older parent, etc. Due to the number of variables it is impossible to predict an expected family contribution.


9. Will the aid package my student is offered be renewed annually?
All scholarships are renewed if the student meets the academic standards that are established for the scholarship. The student must maintain full-time enrollment for consecutive semesters to have the scholarship renewed. All other need based assistance is reviewed annually upon the family completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If the family's income increases, eligibility for grants, workstudy, and need based loans, could be reduced.


10. If my child receives an outside scholarship, how will that affect his or her financial aid package?
Upon notification of your child's award, please notify our office. Your child's package will be reviewed. There is always a possibility that the aid package will be reduced, however, please be reassured that this is not always the case. It is always in the best interest of your student to accept outside scholarships. Chances are you will receive more money than the original package.