Student Financial Services

OU to distribute additional emergency relief funds to students

icon of a calendarJuly 9, 2021

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OU to distribute additional emergency relief funds to students
Oakland University Campus

Oakland University received $19,738,510 million in funding through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III), which is authorized by the American Rescue Plan (ARP). Starting July 16, OU will be distributing a portion of this funding as emergency relief grants to eligible students enrolled in the Summer 2021 session. Those who qualified for an award were notified via their OU email. 

The University plans on sharing more information about the plans for distributing additional Fall HEERF III funds in late September. 

“Through HEERF III, the government provided additional emergency grants to help alleviate financial stress of students and their families,” said Dawn Aubry, vice president for enrollment management at OU. “We recognize these financial challenges are ongoing, and we remain committed to ensuring students have access to the resources and support they need.”

Eligibility 

To qualify for an award, students must have met the following criteria:

  • Be enrolled in a degree-seeking undergraduate or graduate program
    (Includes those pursuing second bachelor’s degree or initial teaching certificate)
  • Be enrolled Summer 2021 for at least 1 credit hour as of July 7

Guidance from the Department of Education directed higher education institutions to disburse HEERF III funds to as many eligible students as possible, and to prioritize students with financial need as reported on their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). 

Grant amounts

Full-time students (minimum 12 credit hours for undergraduate students; minimum 8 credit hours for graduate students) 

  • $1,000 award granted to students if their FAFSA was received for 2020-21, with an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of less than $8,000

  • $800 award if their FAFSA was received for 2020-21, with EFC greater than $8,000

  • $500 award if no FAFSA was received for 2020-21

Part-time students (minimum 1 credit hour for undergraduate or graduate students)

  • $200 whether or not a FAFSA was received for 2020-21 

These grants will be distributed directly to eligible students and do not need to be repaid.

Students who were not eligible for a HEERF III grant and have a financial hardship may apply for assistance from OU’s donor-funded Student Emergency Relief Fund. To discuss additional options, contact Student Financial Services at (248) 370-2550 or [email protected].

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