Gifts to the Annual Giving Programs provide thousands of dollars in assistance for students each year.

A struggling economy has left college students and their families wondering how to pay for a college education.  The university's financial aid resources are being stretched as never before.

• When it comes to the total cost to attend college, OU remains affordable when compared to Michigan's other public research universities, partly because Oakland is the only school that has no fees (registration, recreation health, course, program or technology fee, etc.)  OU Students simply pay tuition.

• The cost of attending Oakland University in 2011-2012 is $9,280.

• The university has committed to helping students and their families by increasing the number of merit and need based awards, as well as by eliminating all loans for need-based freshmen with the 100% Tuition Grant.

• In addition, the university has created an Economic Hardship Fund for students whose declining financial circumstances have put their ability to pay for college in jeopardy.  Currently $250,000 has been allocated for this important need.  Over $107,000 has been awarded to date; with your help we can increase funding!

• The chart below shows the cost of tuition and fees for all 15 public universities in Michigan, and where OU ranks. As State support continues to decrease, annual giving gifts play a greater role in making an OU education viable

* Source:  HEIDI.  One year mandatory fees averaged over 4 years

** Source: Presidents Council - State Universities of Michigan and university websites