Oakland University to offer $2,500 scholarship for frontline workers

Oakland University’s new Frontline Workers Scholarship program will support workers on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic in their educational journey, including the pursuit of their bachelor’s degree.

The program will provide a $2,500 award — $1,250 per year over two years or $625 per semester — to Michigan community college Frontliners who earned their associate’s degree from any of the 28 Michigan community colleges and transfer to Oakland University between summer 2021 and fall 2024.

“In these difficult days of the pandemic, we want to extend funding support and appreciation to the extraordinary efforts of frontline workers,” said Oakland University President Ora Hirsch Pescovitz. “We hope these scholarships provide vital financial support as they pursue their educational ambition.

“Those people who work selflessly providing essential services are an inspiration, and in many cases, profiles in courage,” she said. “Their vital assistance in the fields of healthcare and public safety, among other essential industries, have been integral to sustaining our economy and communities.”

The creation of this award, which serves as an extension of the statewide “Futures for Frontliners” initiative, serves the Oakland University mission of supporting postsecondary degree attainment and impact Michigan and the world through education, research, scholarship and creative activity.

It is also the first statewide Future for Frontliners extension program available to approved frontline workers, who worked in essential industries during the Michigan COVID-19 shutdown in the spring of 2020.

“At Oakland University, we are committed to supporting our students and their families,” said Dawn Aubry, vice president for Enrollment Management. “Creating this award allows us to support frontline workers in completing their bachelor’s degree and achieving their dreams. We are proud to also be assisting the State of Michigan in increasing the overall college attainment rate, in support of Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s goal of 60 percent degree attainment by 2030.”

To be eligible for the Frontline Workers Scholarship, students must:

• Provide proof of approval for participation in the State of Michigan Futures for Frontliners program;
  
  
• Complete an associate’s degree, or have earned a minimum of 62 credits, at the time of enrollment at OU;
• Attend and successfully complete a minimum of 12 (full-time) OU credit hours per semester;
  
  
• Enroll at OU by the fall 2024 semester to qualify;
  
  “We are proud to be offering this award to frontline workers from the entire state of Michigan, as a way of thanking them for their tremendous efforts throughout the pandemic, and to support them in the pursuit of their bachelor’s degree,” said Shane Lewis, director of Undergraduate Admissions.
  
  For more information, visit www.oakland.edu/futurestudents/scholarships-cost-aid/frontliners.