Consumer Information
The Student Consumer Regulations of the U.S. Department of Education require universities to provide their students access to certain information to which they are entitled as consumers.
This publication contains a brief description of various important pieces of information about OPSU, web sites to view this information, and addresses and phone number of the offices from which you may request the information. Additional information about specific programs and services is available from the individual academic colleges and departments.
Nondiscrimination Policy Statement: Oklahoma Panhandle State University, in compliance with the Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other federal laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices or procedures. This includes but is not limited to admissions, employment, financial aid and educational services.
Title IX of the Education Amendments and Oklahoma Panhandle State University policy prohibit discrimination in the provision or services or benefits offered by the university based on gender. Any person (student, faculty or staff) who believes that discriminatory practices have been engaged in based on gender may discuss his or her concerns and file informal or formal complaints of possible violations of Title IX with OPSU’s Title IX coordinator.
In carrying out their assigned responsibilities, many offices at OPSU collect and maintain information about students. Although these records belong to the university, both university policy and federal law accord student a number of rights concerning these records. The essence of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is to give a student the right to inspect his or her education records and to protect the privacy of these records.
Students have the right to inspect, review, and/or request an amendment to these records; consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information in these records; restrict disclosure of information designated as directory information that may be released without consent of the student; and file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education for alleged failure by OSU to comply with FERPA requirements.
The OPSU FERPA Policy Statement, with information and instructions for students, parents, faculty, and staff, is available on the website of the OPSU Registrar’s Office.
Overview of Financial Aid Programs:
- Descriptions of aid programs and Information about OPSU scholarships
Criteria for Selecting Recipients and for Determining Amount of Award:
Information on how need is determined and how need-based aid is awarded
Eligibility Requirements:
In addition to the specific requirements for the various types of aid listed on the overview above, applicants have general eligibility requirements for federal financial aid.
Procedures for Applying for Aid:
Information on applying for aid
Rights and Responsibilities of Aid Recipients:
The rights and responsibilities are outlined in the OPSU Student Code of Conduct.
Continued Eligibility for Aid:
Information regarding continued eligibility for aid
Standards for Satisfactory Academic Progress:
The Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy outlines requirements to maintain eligibility, requirements to regain eligibility, and the appeal process.
Methods and Frequency of Disbursements of Aid:
Financial aid is disbursed to students in different ways depending on the type of aid and other factors.Terms and Conditions of Financial Aid Employment:
Federal Work-Study employment information
Terms of Student Loans:
Information about each type of loan, including descriptions, interest rates, loan fees, annual and aggregate limits, the necessity to repay the loan, and possible deferment or cancellation provisions.
National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS):
Information relating to individual federal student and parent loan borrowers will be submitted by OPSU to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) and will be accessible by guaranty agencies, lenders, and institutions determined to be authorized users of the data system.
Student Loan Information Published by the U.S. Department of Education:
In addition to OPSU-specific information and procedures related to federal student loans, students can find information published by the U.S. Department of Education.
Code of Conduct for Student Loans:
OPSU adheres to a code of conduct regarding relationships with providers of private educational loans.
Scholarship Fraud:
Information to help students content identify and prevent fraud.
The Exit Counseling Information the Institution Provides and Collects:
Students loan borrowers are notified, during the semester in which they have applied for graduation, that they need to complete student loan exit counseling. Federal Direct Subsidized or Unsubsidized Loan borrowers complete exit counseling through the U.S. Dept. of Education.
Federal Student Financial Aid Penalties for Drug Law Violations:
A conviction for any offense, during the period of enrollment for which the student was receiving Title IV, HEA program funds, under any federal or state law involving the possession or sale of illegal drugs will result in the loss of eligibility for any Title IV, HEA grant, loan, or work-study assistance.
Price of Attending OPSU:
- Actual OPSU tuition and fee charges are provided by the OPSU Bursar.
- Estimated tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board, and personal/miscellaneous expenses are provided by the Business Office.
- Panhandle State University will not charge any covered individual (those using VA education benefits under CH 30, 31, 33 or 35) living in the state where the institution is located more than the in-state tuition rate regardless of their home of record.
Refund Policy and Withdrawal Procedures:
The OPSU Refund of Tuition/Fees Policy and the procedures for withdrawing from the University are provided by the OPSU Registrar.
Student Loan Default Rates:
A 3-year cohort default rate is the percentage of a school's borrowers who enter repayment on certain Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program or William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program loans during a particular federal fiscal year (FY), October 1 to September 30, and default or meet other specified conditions prior to the end of the second following fiscal year. The U.S. Department of Education releases official cohort default rates once per year.
Information about OPSU’s most recent 3-year cohort default rate is available from the U.S. Department of Education at the College Navigator site listing for Oklahoma Panhandle State University.
Section 1018 Disclosure for Students Receiving Veterans Benefits
Section 1018 of Public Law 116-315, Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020, adds new requirements for educational institutions participating in the educational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). These new provisions became effective June 15, 2021 and will apply to Institutions of Higher Learning and Non-College Degree institutions beginning August 1, 2021.
Repayment Policy:
The federal government mandates that students who withdraw from all classes may only keep the financial aid (federal
Title IV grant and loan assistance) they have “earned” up to the time of withdrawal. Funds that were disbursed in excess
of the earned amount must be returned by OPSU and/or the student to the federal government.
OPSU Return to Title IV (Repayment) Policy
Descriptions of Academic Programs, Degree Offerings, Instructional Facilities and Labs and Instructional Personnel:
Information on OPSU’s academic programs, degree offerings, instructional, laboratory, and other physical plant facilities that relate to the academic program, and faculty and other instructional personnel facilities are available from the various departments and colleges and from the online OPSU Catalog in the Registrar’s Office. You can also find detailed information regarding programs in each academic college.
Facilities and Services for Disabled Students:
Student Disability Services (SDS) is committed to providing a community that ensures full participation for students. SDS provides assistance to students that will facilitate their independence and academic progress. For information on facilities and services for disabled students, contact OPSU Student Disability Services, Marvin E McKee Library 107B, Tel: 580-349-1556.
Accreditation Information:
OPSU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), which may be reached at 230 S. LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604-1413, phone (800) 621-7440. Details of accreditation by academic program can be found in the OPSU Catalog.
Transfer Credit Policies:
Policies related to transfer of credit earned at another institution is available in the Office of Admissions, and in the OPSU Catalog.
Textbook Information:
OPSU students pay a per credit hour fee which covers the rental of many basic textbooks. Students are responsible for the care of the books and for the books’ return at the close of each semester. If textbooks are damaged or not returned by the last day of the semester, the student will be charged the full replacement cost for the books. Some specialized textbooks are not available by rental and must be purchased by the student. Supplies, study aids, laboratory manuals, gifts, cards, holiday items, and clothing are available for purchase in the store as well.
Employment of Graduates:
Information on types of employment obtained by graduates of OPSU’s degree programs is available from the OPSU Office of Career Services.
Retention Rates and Completion/Graduation Rates:
Retention and graduation rates are available from the OPSU Office of Institutional Research.
Retention and Graduation Rates for Student Athletes:
This information must be provided to student athletes, their parents, high school coaches, and guidance counselors when an athletically-related student aid offer is made. The NCAA provides this information directly to high schools. For information, contact the OPSU Athletic Compliance Department.
Campus Security Report and Crime Statistics:
The federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act requires colleges and universities to provide information on security policies and procedures and specific statistics for criminal incidents, arrests, and disciplinary referrals to students and employees, and to make the information available to prospective students and employees upon request.
The Annual OPSU Security Report includes detailed information on emergency services, safety tips, University policies and state laws, and additional support services, fire safety in on-campus housing, confidential crime reporting, missing student notification policy, and timely warning reports.
Information for Crime Victims About Disciplinary Proceedings:
Victims are entitled to know about the results of proceedings involving alleged crimes of violence or non-forcible sex offenses when they request this information in writing from the University, as defined by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Related policies and procedures can be found in the OPSU Student Code of Conduct.
Fire Safety Report and Fire Log:
Institutions are required to keep a fire log that states the nature of the fire, date, time, and general location of each fire in on-campus student housing facilities. OSU complies with this rule by including all fire-related incidents in the Annual OPSU Security Report.
Water System Consumer Confidence Report
Water Quality information can be found on the Physical Plant Website.
Emergency Response and Evacuation Procedures:
In the event of a campus emergency, OPSU may use a variety of tools to communicate to the campus and the public. Information about emergency response and evacuation procedures is available from the Campus Safety website.
Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program:
The OPSU Policy for all Students and Employees Regarding the Drug-Free School and Communities Act includes a description of standards of conduct, legal sanctions, health risks, and resources for treatment, rehabilitation or re-entry. The Drug-Free Workplace Act requires federal contractors and grantees to certify that they will provide a drug-free workplace.
Vaccination Policy:
OPSU’s policies on immunizations for new students can be found on the University Admissions requirements.
Student Health Services:
The Student Health Clinic provides standard health services to students and free consultation with a staff licensed nurse.
Free Speech
The annual report on expressive speech is available at opsu.edu/About/Free-Speech
Student Complaints
Information on student complaints and the student complain process can be found at studentcomplaints.opsu.edu
Admitting Offices:
Office of Undergraduate Admissions 128
Sewell-Loofburrow Hall, 316 W Sewell St., Goodwell OK 73939
Tel: (580) 349-1370
Web: Admissions
Email: opsu.admissions@opsu.edu
Information for individual academic colleges can be found at: Academics.
Scholarships and Financial Aid:
OPSU Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid
114 Sewell-Loofburrrow Hall 316 W Sewell St., Goodwell OK 73939
Tel: (580) 349-1582
Web: Financial Aid
Email: opsufinaid@opsu.edu